California Conservation Corps: Green Collar Certification Program.

Senator Durazo's proposal to establish a Green Collar Certification Program within the California Conservation Corps expands the organization's focus to include clean energy development and climate resilience projects while creating new workforce development pathways for corps participants.

The legislation modifies existing Conservation Corps project requirements to incorporate energy conservation initiatives, sustainable climate infrastructure development, and culinary training opportunities. Under the new certification program, corps members would receive specialized training in carbon emission reduction for buildings, community disaster preparedness, and ecological conservation infrastructure. The director must issue Green Collar Certificates to participants who complete the program requirements.

To implement the certification program, the bill requires collaboration between the Corps and multiple stakeholders, including local contractors, apprenticeship committees, environmental organizations, community colleges, and labor unions. An advisory board would identify emerging workforce needs in renewable energy, environmental restoration, and disaster preparedness sectors. The director may authorize certified community conservation corps to deliver the program following Corps guidelines.

The bill establishes a dedicated Green Collar Certification Program Fund to accept grants and donations from public and private sources for program expenses like equipment and supplies. These funds would be continuously appropriated to the director, though general fund money cannot be deposited into the account.