Regional park and open-space districts.

Assembly Member Wilson's proposal to modernize regional park district operations would modify land conveyance rules and administrative authorities across California's park and open-space districts. The legislation extends the threshold requiring voter approval for land leases from 25 to 50 years and adjusts the voting requirements for property exchanges from unanimous board consent to a two-thirds majority.

For the East Bay Regional Park District, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, and Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, the measure doubles the annual limit on property exchanges from 40 to 80 acres. The East Bay Regional Park District would gain authority to accept monetary compensation when exchanging land with public agencies, provided the funds purchase new park or open space property. Districts with populations over 200,000 would see expanded procurement authority for their general managers to purchase equipment and materials, excluding labor costs, within specified annual limits.

The bill consolidates administrative roles within districts while maintaining board oversight of appointed positions. It updates statutory language with gender-neutral terms and removes outdated provisions specific to individual districts. For long-term property leases up to 99 years, the boards of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and East Bay Regional Park District retain authority to approve agreements serving park, recreation, agricultural, or climate resilience purposes without voter consent.