Program - - CA Public Resources

Section § 14300

This law section outlines the types of projects young adults in the corps program will work on. Their work should focus on preserving valuable natural lands and waters, completing useful public work projects, and enhancing natural resources in both urban and rural settings. They will also help provide public access and educational opportunities in these areas, assist in emergency and disaster relief efforts, and aid in fire prevention and suppression.

Additionally, they will contribute to energy conservation, improve public facility accessibility for people with disabilities, and support various departments within the Resources Agency. This includes restoration and rehabilitation efforts in parks, recreational facilities, and historical sites, as well as improving habitats for fish and wildlife.

Young adults participating in the corps program shall generally be engaged in projects that do the following:

(a) Preserve, maintain, and enhance environmentally important lands and waters.

(b) Accomplish useful and needed public works projects in both urban and rural areas.

(c) Conserve, maintain, improve, and develop natural resources in both urban and rural areas.

(d) Provide opportunities for public use of, or education in, the areas, projects, and resources described in subdivisions (a), (b), and (c).

(e) Assist in emergency operations, such as natural disaster relief and the rescue of lost and injured persons.

(f) Assist in fire prevention and suppression.

(g) Directly contribute to the conservation of energy.

(h) Contribute toward making public facilities accessible to persons with disabilities.

(i) Assist departments within the Resources Agency in developing, rehabilitating, and restoring parklands, recreational facilities, and historical resources; restoring salmon and steelhead spawning, nursery, and rearing habitat; restoring and preserving wildlife habitat; and enhancing reforestation in both urban and rural areas.

corps program projects environmentally important lands natural disaster relief fire prevention and suppression energy conservation public facilities accessibility parkland restoration wildlife habitat preservation urban and rural public works natural resource enhancement salmon habitat restoration Resources Agency assistance recreational facility development emergency operations support public education opportunities

(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 133, Sec. 99. (SB 272) Effective July 23, 2021.)

Section § 14301

The law states that the Governor must appoint a director and a deputy director to manage the corps. The director's appointment needs to be confirmed by the Senate during its next session. If the Senate doesn't confirm the appointment, the position becomes vacant. Both the director and deputy director are not part of the civil service system. The director is responsible for hiring necessary staff to carry out the duties outlined in this division, as per the California Constitution and Government Code regulations.

The Governor shall appoint a director, who shall act as the administrative officer of the corps, and a deputy director. The appointment of the director is subject to confirmation by the Senate at the next regular or special session of the Legislature, and the refusal or failure of the Senate to confirm the appointment shall create a vacancy in the office. The director and deputy director shall be exempt from civil service, under subdivision (f) of Section 4 of Article XXIV of the California Constitution. The director shall employ, pursuant to the provisions of Article XXIV of the California Constitution and Part 2 (commencing with Section 18500) of Division 5 of Title 2 of the Government Code, such staff as is necessary to implement the provisions of this division.

Governor appointment director confirmation Senate confirmation administrative officer vacancy creation civil service exemption California Constitution Article XXIV staff employment director responsibilities deputy director role part 2 of division 5 Title 2 Government Code staff hiring provisions administrative duties corps management

(Added by Stats. 1976, Ch. 787.)

Section § 14302

This law section states that young adults can join the corps program based on their enthusiasm for working hard, self-improvement, and serving the community, irrespective of their past job or education history. They can participate for one year, with a possibility to stay longer.

The corps, alongside the Employment Development Department, focuses on finding ways to help participants secure jobs after they complete the program.

Young adults shall be selected for participation in the corps program on the basis of motivation for hard work, personal development, and public service, and without regard to their prior employment or educational background. Participation shall be for a period of one year, which may be extended.

The corps, in conjunction with the Employment Development Department, shall place an emphasis on developing and executing plans to assist corpsmembers in obtaining employment following their participation in the corps program.

young adults corps program motivation personal development public service employment assistance one-year participation Employment Development Department job placement corpsmembers

(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 133, Sec. 100. (SB 272) Effective July 23, 2021.)

Section § 14302.5

This law requires the corps to work with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Employment Development Department to help veterans who have participated in the corps program find jobs afterward.

The Department of Veterans Affairs will provide veterans with supportive services, and the Employment Development Department will offer access to workforce services.

(a) The corps shall collaborate with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Employment Development Department to assist any corpsmember who is a veteran of the United States Armed Forces in obtaining employment after participating in the corps program.

(b) Collaboration efforts by the Department of Veterans Affairs shall include, but not be limited to, providing access to veterans supportive services. Collaboration efforts by the Employment Development Department shall include, but not be limited to, providing access to workforce services.

veteran employment corps program collaboration veterans supportive services workforce services Department of Veterans Affairs Employment Development Department veteran assistance job placement for veterans corpsmember support veteran workforce integration post-corps employment veteran resources employment assistance veteran job search support collaboration efforts

(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 485, Sec. 2. (SB 1227) Effective January 1, 2017.)

Section § 14303

This law allows the director to hire special corpsmembers, regardless of age, to utilize their unique skills in achieving the program's goals. These special corpsmembers can work in both headquarters and field roles.

The director may employ special corpsmembers without regard to their age so that the corps may draw upon their special skills which may contribute to the attainment of the objectives of the program. Special corpsmembers may be assigned to headquarters, as well as field positions.

special corpsmembers employment age requirement unique skills program objectives director's discretion headquarters assignment field positions California Conservation Corps program goals hiring flexibility special skills work assignments age exception contribution to program

(Added by Stats. 1980, Ch. 50, Sec. 6.)

Section § 14304

This law focuses on creating projects that both educate the public about natural resources and provide young adults with personal development in essential skills. These projects are to be implemented in both city and rural areas and should be chosen based on their environmental benefits, educational opportunities for the public, and the job training they can provide.

Projects shall be directed toward providing opportunities to the public for their education or the use of these natural resources and environmentally important public lands and waters, while at the same time providing young adults with an opportunity for personal development in a variety of basic skills. Projects shall be undertaken in both urban and rural areas and shall be selected on the basis of the environmental and natural resource benefits each offers, the opportunities for public education or use each offers, and the on-the-job training value of each.

public education natural resources environmentally important lands public lands waters personal development basic skills urban areas rural areas environmental benefits on-the-job training training value young adults opportunities public use project selection criteria

(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 133, Sec. 101. (SB 272) Effective July 23, 2021.)

Section § 14305

This law requires the director to create a corpsmember bill of rights, grievance procedures, and guidelines for searches and seizures. These rules are meant to protect the rights of corpsmembers and help manage problems and conflicts with minimal disruption to their work and training. Supervisors will use these rules to fairly and consistently apply the corps' policies and procedures.

In order to protect the rights of corpsmembers individually and the corps as a community, the director shall adopt a corpsmember bill of rights, corpsmember grievance procedures, and search and seizure guidelines.

These adopted rights, procedures, and guidelines shall serve to assist the director and corps staff in identifying problems and conflicts and resolving them with a minimum disruption of work and training, and shall be used by corps supervisors to interpret and consistently enforce policies and procedures of the corps.

corpsmember bill of rights grievance procedures search and seizure guidelines corpsmember rights conflict resolution work disruption training disruption supervisor guidelines policy enforcement problem identification community protection corpsmember protection director responsibilities staff conflict resolution procedural consistency

(Added by Stats. 1980, Ch. 50, Sec. 7.)

Section § 14306

This section outlines the powers of the director in implementing the corps program. The director can recruit corpsmembers, set selection criteria, including for those with certain criminal backgrounds, and sign necessary enrollment contracts. They can also put the corps to work on emergency projects like disaster relief, fire control, and rescues. They are authorized to apply for grants, acquire necessary resources, and enter into contracts with various governmental and private entities, including educational institutions for special programs. Additionally, they can procure insurance, be reimbursed for project expenses, and make agreements to use state services or resources.

To implement this division, the director may do all of the following:

(a) Recruit and enroll corpsmembers and special corpsmembers.

(b) Adopt criteria for selecting applicants for enrollment in the corps’ program, including criteria for individuals convicted of a crime described in the California Uniform Controlled Substances Act (Division 10 (commencing with Section 11000) of the Health and Safety Code). The director shall take into account, when adopting this criteria, the health, safety, and welfare of the public and the corps’ program participants and staff.

(c) Execute contracts containing the terms and conditions that are deemed necessary and desirable for the enrollment of corpsmembers.

(d) Authorize the use of the corps for emergency projects occasioned by natural disasters, fire prevention and suppression, rescue of lost or injured persons, and any other activity or project necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this division.

(e) Apply for and accept grants or contributions of funds from any public or private source.

(f) Purchase, rent, or otherwise acquire or obtain necessary property, supplies, instruments, tools, equipment, and conveniences.

(g) Execute contracts for furnishing the services of the corps to any federal, state, or local public agency; any California Native American tribe; any local or statewide private organization concerned with the objectives of the corps’ program, as specified in Sections 14000 and 14300; and any person, firm, partnership, or corporation concerned with these objectives.

(h) Procure insurance.

(i) Be reimbursed by the federal government, any state or local public agency, any California Native American tribe, or any private organization for actual expenses incurred by the corps for any project undertaken for any such entity pursuant to subdivision (d) or (g) or pursuant to Section 14307.

(j) To the extent permitted by Article VII of the California Constitution, execute contracts with any person, natural or corporate, for the purpose of implementing the objectives of the corps, as specified in Sections 14000 and 14300.

(k) Use any services, material, or property of any agency of the state, and may make agreements with any agency of the state or take other actions that are reasonable and necessary.

(l) Contract with public or private nonprofit entities to provide services for the corps.

(m) Contract with the University of California, the California State University, the community college districts, and private institutions for the creation of special admission and tuition credit programs for corpsmembers.

corps program recruitment corps members enrollment selection criteria California Uniform Controlled Substances Act emergency projects grant applications property acquisition contracts with agencies insurance procurement federal reimbursement special admission programs University partnerships nonprofit services disaster relief fire prevention and suppression

(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 131, Sec. 3. (AB 2966) Effective January 1, 2023.)

Section § 14306.5

This law allows the director to select individuals who are on probation, parole, postrelease community supervision, or mandatory supervision to join the corps program. When evaluating these applicants, the director must consider their overall suitability. This includes assessing potential impacts on public safety, any requirement for the applicant to register as a sex offender, and whether the applicant is on lifetime parole.

(a) In recruiting and enrolling corpsmembers and special corpsmembers, the director may select an applicant for enrollment in the corps program who is on probation, parole, postrelease community supervision, or mandatory supervision.

(b) When selecting an applicant for enrollment in the corps program pursuant to subdivision (a), the director shall consider the applicant’s overall fitness to join the corps, which shall include, but not be limited to, an assessment of all of the following:

(1) Any potential impacts the applicant may have on public safety as well as the safety of other members of the corps.

(2) Whether the applicant is required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Section 290 of the Penal Code.

(3) Whether the applicant is on lifetime parole.

corps program probation parole postrelease community supervision mandatory supervision public safety impact sex offender registration lifetime parole applicant assessment director's discretion corpsmember recruitment special corpsmember selection criminal background evaluation applicant fitness safety considerations

(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 571, Sec. 1. (AB 278) Effective January 1, 2020.)

Section § 14306.6

This law requires the submission of fingerprint images and related information to the Department of Justice for anyone applying to join certain positions within the corps program. These positions include being a corpsmember, a special corpsmember, or in civil service roles supervising corpsmembers or funded by AmeriCorps. The Department of Justice will then provide results from state or federal checks.

(a) In complying with subdivision (b) of Section 14306 and Section 14306.5 of this code and Section 12645g(a) of Title 42 of the United States Code, the corps shall submit to the Department of Justice fingerprint images and related information required by the Department of Justice, pursuant to subdivision (u) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code, for all persons applying for any of the following:

(1) Enrollment as a corpsmember in the corps program.

(2) A position as a special corpsmember, as described in Section 14303.

(3) A civil service position supervising corpsmembers.

(4) A civil service position funded in whole or in part by AmeriCorps.

(b) The Department of Justice shall provide a state- or federal-level response pursuant to subdivision (p) of Section 11105 of the Penal Code.

fingerprint submission Department of Justice corpsmember enrollment special corpsmember civil service positions AmeriCorps funding background checks state response federal response criminal records Penal Code Section 11105 program compliance criminal history information supervising corpsmembers state and federal level checks

(Added by Stats. 2023, Ch. 198, Sec. 18. (SB 152) Effective September 13, 2023.)

Section § 14307

This law section highlights the importance of fire prevention, suppression, and disaster relief, including roles in flood, earthquake, and pest infestation assistance. It specifies that some corps centers are designated as fire centers for emergency readiness and are jointly managed by the corps director and the Forestry and Fire Protection Director. The corps director handles policies, recruitment, training, and overall services, while the Forestry and Fire Protection Director oversees the corps members' work, ensuring they are trained and supervised in fire and emergency tasks.

Fire prevention, fire suppression, and disaster relief including, but not limited to, flood, earthquake, pest infestation assistance measures, and search and rescue efforts shall be a major emphasis of the program. Certain corps centers designated by the director as fire centers in locations specifically needed to assure emergency capability and readiness for firefighting and natural disaster relief shall be administered and directed jointly by the director of the corps and the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection. The director of the corps shall be responsible for setting the policies under which these centers shall be operated and shall be responsible for the recruitment, orientation, job training, project planning, and educational and other services generally provided in the corps at its base centers. The Director of Forestry and Fire Protection, and his or her designee, shall be responsible for the supervision of corps members engaged in public service conservation work and for the training, supervision, and direction of corps members engaged in fire prevention, fire suppression, and other emergency activities.

fire prevention fire suppression disaster relief flood assistance earthquake assistance pest infestation measures search and rescue fire centers emergency capability forestry management corps recruitment job training project planning supervision of corps members public service conservation work

(Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 760, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2002.)

Section § 14308

This law gives the director the authority to use resources and make agreements with any state agency to fulfill the responsibilities of this division. Basically, the director can team up with other agencies to get the job done.

In carrying out this division, the director may utilize any services, materials, or property of any agency of the state and may make any agreements with any agency of the state, or take any other actions, that are reasonable and necessary.

director authority state agency agreements resource utilization interagency cooperation reasonable actions necessary actions state agency resources division responsibilities property usage service utilization

(Amended by Stats. 1993, Ch. 894, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 1994.)

Section § 14309

This law encourages state agencies in California to collaborate by combining or sharing training programs. The goal is to offer the best and most cost-effective training for corps members and state employees by pooling resources for programs that teach similar skills.

In order to provide the best and most cost-effective training possible for corps members and other state employees, state agencies shall seek to combine or share training programs that provide related skills.

state agencies training programs cost-effective training corps members state employees shared training skill-related training training collaboration training resource sharing cost-efficiency in training inter-agency training California state workforce related skills training program cooperation state employee development

(Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 760, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2002.)

Section § 14310

This law states that individuals who are corpsmembers or special corpsmembers in this context will not get state retirement benefits, with the exception of staff officers and employees who are not part of this group.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, corpsmembers and special corpsmembers, other than staff officers and employees, shall not receive state retirement benefits.

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(Amended by Stats. 1980, Ch. 50, Sec. 11.)

Section § 14311

This law encourages the corps to take on projects that will bring in revenue by working with both state and non-state organizations. The main goal is to increase the number of corpsmembers and provide them with valuable education and job skills through projects. Additionally, these projects should gain community support and contribute either to the conservation or improvement of natural resources or offer other public benefits.

In keeping with the corps’ entrepreneurial nature and to expand the corpsmember population, the corps shall actively seek reimbursable work projects from state and nonstate entities that are in keeping with its mission. The corps shall use the following criteria in reviewing such a project offer:

(a) The project will provide opportunities to expand corpsmember population.

(b) The project will provide corpsmembers with education and training in employable skills.

(c) The project will attract community support, participation, and funding.

(d) The project conserves or enhances the state’s natural resources, or has other public benefits.

corpsmember population reimbursable work projects education and training employable skills community support community participation community funding natural resources conservation public benefits corps entrepreneurial nature state projects nonstate projects environmental enhancement skill development job skills training

(Added by Stats. 1993, Ch. 894, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 1994.)

Section § 14312

This law creates a special account called the Collins-Dugan California Conservation Corps Reimbursement Account within the General Fund for supporting the California Conservation Corps. Money that the Corps earns from certain projects, excluding General Fund money, can be deposited into this account. The funds in the account are set aside for specific activities, such as hiring more corps members, enhancing education and support services for them, improving their equipment, and providing program support when certain financial targets are not met.

(a) The Collins-Dugan California Conservation Corps Reimbursement Account is hereby created in the General Fund in the State Treasury, for support of the corps.

(b) Funds received in payment for reimbursable work projects, excluding General Fund money, may be deposited in the Collins-Dugan California Conservation Corps Reimbursement Account.

(c) Notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code, the money in the Collins-Dugan California Conservation Corps Reimbursement Account is hereby continuously appropriated to the corps for the following program activities:

(1) Program expansion to hire more corpsmembers.

(2) Enhancement of corpsmember education and educational support services.

(3) Enhancement of equipment used by corpsmembers in projects meeting the corps’ mission.

(4) Program support when legislatively directed reimbursement targets are unmet in a given fiscal year.

California Conservation Corps Reimbursement Account program expansion corpsmember education educational support services equipment enhancement mission projects program support reimbursable work projects continuous appropriation General Fund fiscal targets

(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 976, Sec. 1. Effective September 27, 1996.)

Section § 14313

This law allows the director of the corps to request and accept donations from private sources, such as businesses or foundations, to help the corps operate successfully as an entrepreneurial program. These donations are intended to support the corps’ mission.

To assist the corps’ operation as an entrepreneurial and incentive-based program, the director may seek and accept donations from private entities, foundations, or other sources outside of state government for purposes of accomplishing the corps’ mission.

entrepreneurial program incentive-based program private donations foundation donations mission support funding sources outside state government resource acquisition financial contributions program assistance corps' operation director authority private entity funding

(Added by Stats. 1993, Ch. 894, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 1994.)

Section § 14315

This law encourages California state agencies to use the California Conservation Corps (CCC) for labor on projects that align with the Corps' mission, emphasizing youth involvement. Agencies should notify the CCC about contracting opportunities and prioritize them over other labor options when feasible. The CCC can enter contracts with state agencies for suitable activities. When contracts are made, funds can be transferred from various state accounts to a special reimbursement account for the Corps, as long as the funds are used for their intended purposes.

(a) Subject to the availability of assistance from the corps, a state agency that is considering the use of contracted labor shall give priority to the corps when the mission of the corps and the nature of the state agency’s project are substantially consistent.

(b) State agencies shall notify the corps of potential contracts for services that fit within the parameters of the legislative intent set forth in Section 14000 and shall use the corps to the maximum extent feasible to carry out projects that promote the legislative intent as set forth in Section 14000. Because of the corps’ commitment to the state’s youth, in the exercise of a state agency’s discretion when considering contracts for services, strong consideration shall be given to the use of corpsmembers over the use of other contracted labor.

(c) The corps may contract with any state agency for the performance of activities consistent with this division.

(d) Upon appropriation by the Legislature and execution of a contract pursuant to subdivision (b), the Controller may transfer money to the Collins-Dugan California Conservation Corps Reimbursement Account from other funds under the control of the contracting state agency, including, but not limited to, the following funds and accounts:

(1) Hazardous Waste Control Account in the General Fund.

(2) State Highway Account in the State Transportation Fund.

(3) Transportation Planning and Development Account in the State Transportation Fund.

(4) California Environmental License Plate Fund.

(5) Fish and Game Preservation Fund.

(6) Public Resources Account in the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Surtax Fund.

(7) Unallocated Account in the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Surtax Fund.

(8) Habitat Conservation Fund.

(9) Motor Vehicle Fuel Account in the Transportation Tax Fund pursuant to Section 8352.6 of the Revenue and Taxation Code (OMV Fund).

(10) Oil Spill Prevention and Administration Fund.

(11) Integrated Waste Management Account in the Integrated Waste Management Fund.

(12) State Parks and Recreation Fund.

(13) Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.

(14) Employment Training Fund.

(15) Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund.

(16) California Beverage Container Recycling Fund.

(17) California Cannabis Tax Fund.

(18) Good Neighbor Authority Fund.

(e) Expenditures from the Collins-Dugan California Conservation Corps Reimbursement Account of amounts transferred pursuant to subdivision (d) shall be limited to purposes that are consistent with the requirements of each fund or account contributing each amount to the Collins-Dugan California Conservation Corps Reimbursement Account.

California Conservation Corps contracted labor state agencies youth employment project consistency legislative intent contract notifications service contracts Corps members Collins-Dugan Reimbursement Account fund transfers facility of funds Hazardous Waste Control Account Environmental License Plate Fund Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund

(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 131, Sec. 4. (AB 2966) Effective January 1, 2023.)

Section § 14316

The California Department of Finance can lend up to $1.5 million from the General Fund to the Collins-Dugan California Conservation Corps Reimbursement Account. This is meant to help with cash flow issues caused by delays in getting payments. However, the loan can only be made if there is a valid contract showing funds are available to pay it back. The loan has to be repaid within a year with interest, calculated based on the Surplus Money Investment Fund's earnings.

The Department of Finance may make a loan from the General Fund to the Collins-Dugan California Conservation Corps Reimbursement Account, in an amount not to exceed a cumulative total of one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) to meet cashflow needs due to delays in collecting reimbursements. Any loan made by the Department of Finance pursuant to this section shall only be made if the corps has a valid contract or certification signed by a client agency that demonstrates that sufficient funds will be available to repay the loan. All money so transferred shall be repaid to the General Fund as soon as possible, but not later than one year from the date of the loan, with interest at the average rate earned by the Surplus Money Investment Fund.

Collins-Dugan California Conservation Corps loan from General Fund cashflow needs reimbursement delays valid contract requirement repayment with interest Surplus Money Investment Fund loan repayment deadline Department of Finance loan California Conservation Corps loan

(Amended by Stats. 2002, Ch. 953, Sec. 10. Effective January 1, 2003.)

Section § 14318

The law allows the California Conservation Corps to make contracts with certified community conservation groups for projects related to natural resources, energy, climate, emergency response, education, and services for corps members. These contracts must follow any guidelines set by the director. The Corps must report to the Legislature every two years on the outcomes of these projects until 2033.

(a) The corps may enter into a contract with an individual or collective of community conservation corps certified pursuant to Section 14507.5 for a project or program that is in furtherance of Section 14000 and that consists of one or more of the following:

(1) Natural resources and land management projects.

(2) Energy and climate programs.

(3) Emergency response services.

(4) Educational, programming, and training services.

(5) Corpsmember services.

(6) Ancillary services.

(b) The director may establish guidelines for purposes of this section. If the director establishes guidelines for purposes of this section, a contract entered into pursuant to subdivision (a) shall adhere to those guidelines.

(c)

(1) On or before January 1, 2025, January 1, 2027, and January 1, 2029, the corps shall file a report with the appropriate committees of the Legislature on the outcomes of any program or project undertaken pursuant to this section. A report filed pursuant to this subdivision shall focus on the previous two calendar years.

(2) The requirement to file a report pursuant to paragraph (1) is inoperative on January 1, 2033, pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code.

California Conservation Corps community conservation corps natural resources management land management projects energy programs climate programs emergency response services education and training services corp member services project guidelines legislative reporting program outcomes environmental services conservation efforts project contracts

(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 139, Sec. 1. (AB 1279) Effective January 1, 2024.)

California Conservation Corps

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