Environmental Equity and Outdoor Access Act.

Existing law establishes the Natural Resources Agency, which consists of various departments, including the Department of Conservation, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Parks and Recreation. Existing law vests in the Natural Resources Agency various powers, including those related to conservation of lands. This bill would establish the Environmental Equity and Outdoor Access Act, which sets forth the state's commitment to ensuring all Californians can benefit from, and have meaningful access to, the state's rich cultural and natural resources. The bill would make related findings and declarations regarding the importance of the state's natural resources and ensuring equal access to those resources. The bill would provide that the Legislature finds and declares that it is the policy of the state to, among other things, promote inclusivity and representation and improve competency, as specified, among staff of the agency and each department, board, office, conservancy, and commission within the agency, to ensure all Californians and visitors of the state feel safe and welcome in the outdoors. The bill would authorize the agency, and each department, board, office, conservancy, and commission within the agency, to take targeted actions, including those that prioritize communities of color, economically disadvantaged communities, the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, women, and individuals belonging to more than one of these groups, to reduce elevated barriers to access and increased exposure to environmental health risks that disproportionately impact these communities and people to ensure equitable environmental protection and outdoor access is achieved. The bill would require the agency to prepare a report and submit it to the Legislature with information related to the implementation of these provisions on or before January 1, 2024.