Chapter 4Governing Board

Section § 33814

Explanation

By January 1, 2026, the conservancy will be directed by a board of directors consisting of 15 voting members and 7 nonvoting members. The voting members include public appointees from the Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly, the Senate, county supervisors, water districts, and regional organizations committed to environmental and wildlife causes.

The nonvoting members include representatives from environmental protection, water and air resources boards, and federal agencies. The board members must have a demonstrated interest in the conservancy's objectives, such as land conservation or benefiting disadvantaged communities.

Terms for members vary, with some serving four-year terms and others at the discretion of the appointing bodies.

(a)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(a) By January 1, 2026, the conservancy shall be governed by a board of directors.
(1)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(a)(1) The board shall consist of 15 voting members appointed as follows:
(A)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(a)(1)(A) One public member appointed by the Governor, who is not an elected official and who resides within 50 miles of the conservancy’s territory.
(B)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(a)(1)(B) One public member appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, who is not an elected official and who resides within 50 miles of the conservancy’s territory.
(C)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(a)(1)(C) One public member appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules, who is not an elected official and who resides within 50 miles of the conservancy’s territory.
(D)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(a)(1)(D) One member who is appointed by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors and is a resident of that county, or their designee.
(E)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(a)(1)(E) One member who is appointed by the Imperial County Board of Supervisors and is a resident of that county, or their designee.
(F)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(a)(1)(F) One member who is appointed by the Coachella Valley Water District and resides within the district’s boundaries, or their designee.
(G)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(a)(1)(G) One member who is appointed by the Imperial Irrigation District and resides within the district’s boundaries, or their designee.
(H)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(a)(1)(H) One member who is appointed by the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, or their designee.
(I)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(a)(1)(I) One representative of a nongovernmental organization focused on environmental justice work in the region appointed by the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency.
(J)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(a)(1)(J) One representative of a nongovernmental organization focused on fish and wildlife habitat work in the region appointed by the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency.
(K)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(a)(1)(K) The Director of Finance, or the director’s designee.
(L)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(a)(1)(L) The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, or the secretary’s designee.
(M)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(a)(1)(M) The Director of Fish and Wildlife, or the director’s designee.
(N)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(a)(1)(N) The Director of Water Resources, or the director’s designee.
(O)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(a)(1)(O) The Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, or the director’s designee.
(2)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(a)(2) The board shall also consist of seven ex officio nonvoting members designated as follows:
(A)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(a)(2)(A) The Secretary for Environmental Protection, or the secretary’s designee.
(B)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(a)(2)(B) The Chairperson of the State Water Resources Control Board, or the chairperson’s designee.
(C)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(a)(2)(C) The Chairperson of the State Air Resources Board, or the chairperson’s designee.
(D)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(a)(2)(D) One representative of the United States Bureau of Land Management, designated by the United States Secretary of the Interior.
(E)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(a)(2)(E) One representative of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, designated by the United States Secretary of the Interior.
(F)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(a)(2)(F) One representative of the federal Bureau of Reclamation, designated by the United States Secretary of the Interior.
(G)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(a)(2)(G) One representative of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, designated by the United States Department of Defense.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(b) The local agencies specified in subparagraphs (D) to (G), inclusive, of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall ensure that one of the appointed members of those agencies is the president of the Salton Sea Authority, so that the president of the Salton Sea Authority is always represented on the board.
(c)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(c) The public members appointed by the Governor, the Senate Committee on Rules, and the Speaker of the Assembly, and the representatives of nongovernmental organizations appointed by the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, shall each serve a four-year term.
(d)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(d) The locally appointed members specified in subparagraphs (D) to (G), inclusive, of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing board of supervisors or water or irrigation district.
(e)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(e) The tribal representative shall serve at the pleasure of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians.
(f)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(f) Each voting member specified in subparagraphs (A) to (O), inclusive, of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) shall have demonstrated interest and expertise in at least one of the conservancy’s purposes described in subdivision (a) of Section 33812. This demonstrated interest and expertise shall include, but is not limited to, any of the following:
(1)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(f)(1) Experience with any of the following:
(A)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(f)(1)(A) A land conservation nonprofit organization.
(B)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(f)(1)(B) A public agency focused on land conservation.
(C)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(f)(1)(C) Public land management.
(2)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(f)(2) Experience as a professional with expertise in one or more functions of the board, including operations and maintenance.
(3)CA Public Resources Code § 33814(f)(3) Experience with activities that benefit disadvantaged communities identified pursuant to Section 39711 of the Health and Safety Code.
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(Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 771, Sec. 1. (SB 583) Effective January 1, 2025.)

Section § 33815

Explanation

This law states that the leader of the Natural Resources Agency, or someone they choose, will be the chair of the board. Every year, the board members will elect one of their own as vice chairperson. If the vice chairperson leaves their role before their term ends, the board will choose a new vice chairperson to finish out the term.

The Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency, or the secretary’s designee, shall serve as the chairperson of the board. The board’s voting members shall annually elect from among themselves a vice chairperson of the board. If the vice chairperson’s position becomes vacant, a new vice chairperson shall be elected by the board’s voting members to serve for the remainder of the term.
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(Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 771, Sec. 1. (SB 583) Effective January 1, 2025.)

Section § 33816

Explanation

This section states that at least eight voting members need to be present for the conservancy's board to make official decisions. If there aren't eight members available, they can't conduct business. Additionally, any decision needs the approval of at least eight members to be valid and applied to all matters the conservancy handles.

Eight of the voting members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business of the conservancy. The board shall not transact the business of the conservancy if a quorum is not present at the time a vote is taken. A decision of the board requires an affirmative vote of eight of the voting membership, and the vote is binding with respect to all matters acted on by the conservancy.
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(Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 771, Sec. 1. (SB 583) Effective January 1, 2025.)

Section § 33817

Explanation

This law requires the board to create rules and procedures for how the conservancy should operate its business.

The board shall adopt rules and procedures for the conduct of business by the conservancy.
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(Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 771, Sec. 1. (SB 583) Effective January 1, 2025.)

Section § 33818

Explanation

This section allows the board to set up advisory boards or committees, organize community meetings, and carry out public outreach activities.

The board may establish advisory boards or committees, hold community meetings, and engage in public outreach.
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(Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 771, Sec. 1. (SB 583) Effective January 1, 2025.)

Section § 33819

Explanation

This section allows the board of the conservancy to maintain a main office in the Salton Sea area. They can rent or own property and equipment according to relevant laws. They can also enter into agreements like easements to support their objectives as outlined in another part of the law.

The board may maintain a headquarters office within the Salton Sea region. The conservancy may rent or own real and personal property and equipment pursuant to applicable statutes and regulations. The conservancy may also enter into access agreements, such as easements, to further the conservancy’s purposes described in subdivision (a) of Section 33812.
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(Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 771, Sec. 1. (SB 583) Effective January 1, 2025.)

Section § 33820

Explanation

This law outlines the process for appointing an executive officer to a conservancy in California. Before January 1, 2027, the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency is responsible for the appointment, and this position is not subject to civil service rules.

Starting January 1, 2027, the responsibility shifts to the board, which will determine the qualifications needed and will appoint an executive officer. This person will also be exempt from civil service regulations. The board can also employ other necessary staff to support the conservancy’s duties.

(a)CA Public Resources Code § 33820(a) Before January 1, 2027, the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency shall appoint an executive officer of the conservancy. The executive officer shall be exempt from civil service.
(b)CA Public Resources Code § 33820(b) On or after January 1, 2027, the board shall determine the qualifications of, and shall appoint, an executive officer of the conservancy, who shall be exempt from civil service. The board shall employ other staff as necessary to execute the powers and functions provided for in this division.
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(Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 771, Sec. 1. (SB 583) Effective January 1, 2025.)

Section § 33821

Explanation

This law allows the board to make contracts with private companies and government agencies to get the consulting and other services they need to meet their goals.

The board may enter into contracts with private entities and public agencies to procure consulting and other services necessary to achieve the purposes of this division.
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(Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 771, Sec. 1. (SB 583) Effective January 1, 2025.)

Section § 33822

Explanation

This law allows the conservancy to use its operating budget and any other available funding sources to cover its support and administrative expenses.

The conservancy’s expenses for support and administration may be paid from the conservancy’s operating budget and any other funding sources available to the conservancy.
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(Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 771, Sec. 1. (SB 583) Effective January 1, 2025.)

Section § 33823

Explanation

This law says that the board must follow rules for open meetings as outlined in the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act. This means their meetings need to be conducted in a way that is open and accessible to the public.

The board shall conduct business in accordance with the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Article 9 (commencing with Section 11120) of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).
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(Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 771, Sec. 1. (SB 583) Effective January 1, 2025.)

Section § 33824

Explanation

This section requires that the board conducts its regular meetings in the Salton Sea region.

The board shall hold its regular meetings within the Salton Sea region.
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(Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 771, Sec. 1. (SB 583) Effective January 1, 2025.)