The Conservation Stewardship Endowment Fund.

Existing law establishes in state government the Natural Resources Agency and provides that the agency consists of, among other things, the Department of Parks and Recreation. Existing law designates all parks, public campgrounds, monument sites, landmark sites, and sites of historical interest established or acquired by the state, or that are under its control, as the state park system, except as specified. This bill would establish the Conservation Stewardship Endowment Fund, as provided, and would require moneys in the fund to be allocated to the Natural Resources Agency, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to support the maintenance and stewardship of lands and facilities owned or managed by the Department of Parks and Recreation and generate funding through investment earnings for the support of stewardship and maintenance of these lands and facilities. The bill would require moneys in the fund to be invested by the Treasurer with the goal of achieving capital appreciation to create a balance sufficient to generate ongoing earnings to cover the estimated annual costs associated with the purposes described above. The bill would authorize the fund to receive donations or contributions from public and private entities, partnerships between public and private entities, fees, cash advances, and transfers from the General Fund or other public sources. The bill would require any funds, public or private, allocated from the Endowment Fund to supplement, not supplant, the department's budget allocations for any fiscal year. The bill would require the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency to establish a governing body, consisting of specified members, including the Director of Parks and Recreation, to oversee the administration of the fund and the disbursement of the moneys in the fund. The bill would require, on or before December 31, 2030, the Legislative Analyst's Office to submit a report to the Legislature that reviews the impact and performance of the fund, as specified.