AB-721
Natural Resources & Water

Huron Hawk Conservancy.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes the Huron Hawk Conservancy to manage 3,000 acres near Huron for recreation and wildlife protection.
  • Creates a 12-member governing board with representatives from local agencies and conservation experts.
  • Authorizes the conservancy to acquire land, build facilities, and award grants for conservation projects.
  • Requires legislative funding or bond approval before the conservancy can begin operations.

Summary

Assembly Member Soria's legislation establishes the Huron Hawk Conservancy to manage and revitalize a 3,000-acre detention basin near the City of Huron, transforming it into a regional park and nature reserve. The conservancy would operate as a state agency within the Natural Resources Agency, with authority to acquire and manage public lands for recreation, wildlife habitat restoration, and educational purposes.

The bill creates a 12-member governing board comprising local, state, and public representatives, including officials from Fresno County, the City of Huron, and various state departments. Three public board members would be appointed by state leadership, with priority given to candidates experienced in outdoor recreation, conservation, and environmental justice. The board requires six members for a quorum and five affirmative votes to take action.

A dedicated Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund would be established in the State Treasury to receive and distribute appropriated funds, agency contributions, and other revenue sources. The conservancy could award grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations for land acquisition and improvement projects, though it cannot levy taxes or exercise eminent domain. Property transactions with nonprofits must include provisions protecting the state's interests, including rights of entry and potential property reversion.

The legislation becomes operative only upon legislative appropriation or approval of a general obligation bond for the conservancy's purposes. Local agencies may receive state reimbursement for any mandated costs through established statutory procedures.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Read first time. To print.
Assembly Floor
Read first time. To print.
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mike FongD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
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Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Mike FongD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Esmeralda SoriaD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Tri TaR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assembly Member
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Esmeralda Soria
Esmeralda SoriaD
California State Assembly Member
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/14/2025)

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes the Huron Hawk Conservancy to manage 3,000 acres near Huron for recreation and wildlife protection.
  • Creates a 12-member governing board with representatives from local agencies and conservation experts.
  • Authorizes the conservancy to acquire land, build facilities, and award grants for conservation projects.
  • Requires legislative funding or bond approval before the conservancy can begin operations.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Esmeralda Soria
Esmeralda SoriaD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member Soria's legislation establishes the Huron Hawk Conservancy to manage and revitalize a 3,000-acre detention basin near the City of Huron, transforming it into a regional park and nature reserve. The conservancy would operate as a state agency within the Natural Resources Agency, with authority to acquire and manage public lands for recreation, wildlife habitat restoration, and educational purposes.

The bill creates a 12-member governing board comprising local, state, and public representatives, including officials from Fresno County, the City of Huron, and various state departments. Three public board members would be appointed by state leadership, with priority given to candidates experienced in outdoor recreation, conservation, and environmental justice. The board requires six members for a quorum and five affirmative votes to take action.

A dedicated Huron Hawk Conservancy Fund would be established in the State Treasury to receive and distribute appropriated funds, agency contributions, and other revenue sources. The conservancy could award grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations for land acquisition and improvement projects, though it cannot levy taxes or exercise eminent domain. Property transactions with nonprofits must include provisions protecting the state's interests, including rights of entry and potential property reversion.

The legislation becomes operative only upon legislative appropriation or approval of a general obligation bond for the conservancy's purposes. Local agencies may receive state reimbursement for any mandated costs through established statutory procedures.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/14/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Read first time. To print.
Assembly Floor
Read first time. To print.
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mike FongD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Mike FongD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Esmeralda SoriaD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Tri TaR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assembly Member
Committee Member