Wildlife grants: Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement program.

Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez's wildlife access legislation mandates the Department of Fish and Wildlife to provide grants supporting the Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) program, which facilitates public access to private lands for wildlife-dependent recreation. The bill increases the maximum compensation for participating landowners from $30 to $52 per acre and from $50 to $87 per participant per day, with annual inflation adjustments beginning in 2026.

The legislation authorizes the department to reimburse nonprofit organizations, private landowners, and other entities for program-related services while maintaining existing funding mechanisms through user fees, license fees, and grants. Private landowner information remains confidential unless disclosure is necessary for program administration, and participants must sign liability waivers before accessing SHARE properties. The department must prioritize lands with high wildlife habitat value and those offering multiple recreational activities to maximize public participation opportunities.

Under the modified program structure, both the department and landowners retain the ability to modify or cancel agreements with written notice, subject to reimbursement for documented losses or expenses. The bill maintains prohibitions on taking nongame species and transferring hunting or fishing licenses through SHARE agreements, while preserving property rights protections under existing civil code provisions.