Tidelands and submerged lands: County of Orange and Newport Bay: franchises or leases.

Existing law grants to the County of Orange all the right, title, and interest of the State of California in and to certain tidelands and submerged lands situated upon and under Newport Bay, as specified, in trust for certain purposes, including, among other things, for the establishment, improvement, and conduct of public bathing beaches, public marinas, public aquatic playgrounds, and similar recreational facilities open to the general public. Existing law requires that the county, and its successors, only use those granted lands for prescribed purposes, and prohibits the county from granting franchises or leases for those tidelands and submerged lands for periods that exceed 50 years for public uses and purposes. This bill would extend to 66 years the maximum period for which the county may grant franchises or leases for the use of those tidelands and submerged lands for those trust purposes.