California Rangeland, Grazing Land, and Grassland Protection Program.

Assembly Member Hart's proposal to enhance California's rangeland conservation efforts allocates $400 million from the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Fund for conservation easements on privately owned grazing lands and grasslands. The funds, administered through the Wildlife Conservation Board, would support properties that provide ecosystem services such as wildfire fuel reduction, groundwater recharge, and wildlife habitat.

The legislation establishes specific eligibility requirements for grant recipients, including accreditation from the Land Trust Accreditation Commission and demonstrated capacity to acquire easements within 18 months. Grants may cover the full appraised value of conservation easements plus up to $75,000 for processing expenses. The bill creates a regional distribution framework, allocating defined amounts across nine California regions, from $5 million for desert areas to $95 million for the central coast. The Board must disburse 75% of funds by June 2027 and the remainder by June 2028, with grantees required to complete easement acquisitions by June 2029.

The measure allows the Wildlife Conservation Board to partner with land trusts certified by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service under the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. If demand proves insufficient in any region by mid-2027, the Board may redistribute funds to areas with greater conservation opportunities. These provisions modify existing rangeland protection programs while maintaining current requirements for perpetual easements and qualified property definitions.