Existing law establishes various programs and authorizes various projects related to wildlife-dependent recreational activities and the protection of wildlife, including projects to benefit upland game bird species and waterfowl and the Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) program. Existing law provides that it is the intent of the SHARE program to encourage private landowners to voluntarily make their land available to the public for wildlife-dependent recreational activities, as specified. Existing law requires a cap on financial compensation offered to a private landowner of $30 per acre, or $50 per public participant per day. Existing law authorizes the Department of Fish and Wildlife, as part of the SHARE program, to make grants to, or enter into agreements with, nonprofit organizations, governmental entities, or any other entities for purposes of carrying out the SHARE program.
This bill would instead require the department to make those grants to, or enter into agreements with, the above described entities, including a nonprofit conservation organization, when the department finds the grants or agreements are necessary for carrying out the purposes of the SHARE program. The bill would remove the required cap on financial compensation offered to private landowners pursuant to the SHARE program and would authorize the department to reimburse a nonprofit organization, a private landowner, or other entity for its services related to the implementation of the program.

Statutes affected:
AB 1169: 1572 FGC, 1573 FGC
02/21/25 - Introduced: 1572 FGC, 1573 FGC