BILL NUMBER: AB 2184	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Chesbro

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2014

   An act to amend Section 4629.6 of the Public Resources Code,
relating to forestry.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2184, as introduced, Chesbro. Timber and engineered wood
products assessment: forest restoration grants.
   Existing law establishes the Timber Regulation and Forest
Restoration Fund in the State Treasury, and requires that all
revenues received from specified assessments imposed on certain
timber and engineered wood products, less amounts deducted for
specified refunds and reimbursements, be deposited into the fund, and
used, upon appropriation, only for specified purposes including,
among other things, by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
to provide grants to certain public and private entities for fire
protection, wildland fire suppression, and activities to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, promote adaptation of forested landscapes
to changing climate, improve forest health, and protect homes and
communities.
   This bill would additionally authorize moneys from the fund, upon
appropriation, to be used by the department to provide grants to
remediate former marijuana growing operations.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 4629.6 of the Public Resources Code is amended
to read:
   4629.6.  Moneys deposited in the fund shall, upon appropriation by
the Legislature, only be expended for the following purposes:
   (a) To reimburse the State Board of Equalization for its
administrative costs associated with the administration, collection,
audit, and issuance of refunds related to the lumber products and
engineered wood assessment established pursuant to Section 4629.5.
   (b) To pay refunds issued pursuant to Part 30 (commencing with
Section 55001) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
   (c) To support the activities and costs of the department, the
Department of Conservation, the Department of Fish and Game, the
State Water Resources Control Board, and regional water quality
control boards associated with the review of projects or permits
necessary to conduct timber operations. On or after July 1, 2013,
except for fees applicable for fire prevention or protection within
state responsibility area classified lands or timber yield
assessments, no currently authorized or required fees shall be
charged by the agencies listed in this subdivision for activities or
costs associated with the review of a project, inspection and
oversight of projects, and permits necessary to conduct timber
operations of those departments and boards.
   (d) For transfer to the department's Forest Improvement Program,
upon appropriation by the Legislature, for forest resources
improvement grants and projects administered by the department
pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 4790) and Chapter 2
(commencing with Section 4799.06) of Part 2 of Division 4.
   (e) To fund existing restoration grant programs.
   (f) To the department, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for
fuel treatment grants and projects pursuant to authorities under the
Wildland Fire Protection and Resources Management Act of 1978
(Article 1 (commencing with Section 4461) of Chapter 7 of Part 2 of
Division 4).
   (g) To the department, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to
provide grants to local agencies responsible for fire protection,
qualified nonprofits, recognized tribes, local and state governments,
and resources conservation districts, undertaken on a state
responsibility area (SRA) or on wildlands not in an SRA that pose a
threat to the SRA, to reduce the costs of wildland fire suppression,
reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote adaptation of forested
landscapes to changing climate,  remediate former marijuana
growing operations,  improve forest health, and protect homes
and communities.