The Great Redwood Trail Agency.

Senator McGuire's legislation refines the governance and operational framework of the Great Redwood Trail Agency, formally establishing it as a state subdivision while expanding its authority over rail and trail management in California's north coast region. The bill modifies the agency's board structure, requiring cities to select their representative through a board-adopted process rather than gubernatorial appointment.

The legislation institutes new financial controls, mandating annual budgets, regular audits, and accounting practices that align with generally accepted accounting principles. It exempts the agency from local building and zoning ordinances for properties under its direct control, while maintaining oversight for projects on other lands. The bill also streamlines property utilization by classifying certain third-party uses - including campgrounds, parking facilities, and recreational services - as authorized agency activities.

For public works contracts above specified thresholds, the agency must follow competitive bidding procedures, including public notices and performance bonds. The legislation authorizes partnerships with state and local law enforcement agencies to enforce trail regulations and ordinances. While designating the agency as a state subdivision, the bill explicitly shields the state from liability for the agency's contracts and obligations.

The measure extends the Great Redwood Trail designation to include the planned bicycle and pedestrian pathway connecting Larkspur to the Golden Gate Bridge's northern terminus, though these facilities remain separate from the agency's environmental review process. Local agencies may receive state reimbursement for any costs imposed by the new requirements, subject to review by the Commission on State Mandates.