Open-space element: updates.

Existing law requires cities and counties to prepare, adopt, and amend general plans and elements of those plans, as specified. Existing law requires the general plan to include a housing element and an open-space element, which is also called an open-space plan. Existing law sets forth various deadlines for updates to the housing element. This bill would require every city and county to review and update its local open-space plan by January 1, 2026. The bill would require the local open-space plan update to include plans and an action program that address specified issues, including climate resilience and other cobenefits of open space, correlated with the safety element. By imposing additional duties on local officials, the bill would create a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. The bill would include findings that changes proposed by this bill address a matter of statewide concern rather than a municipal affair and, therefore, apply to all cities, including charter cities.