Section 132321 Of Article 6. Extension, Expansion, Or Increase Of Transactions And Use Tax From California Public Utilities Code >> Division 12.7. >> Chapter 2. >> Article 6.
132321
. (a) The commission may, upon terms, standards, and
conditions approved by the commission, transfer environmental
mitigation or conservation property to a public agency or to a
nonprofit corporation that is qualified pursuant to Section 501(c)(3)
of the Internal Revenue Code.
(1) As a condition to the transfer of property pursuant to this
subdivision, the commission may enter into an agreement with the
transferee to provide funding for the future maintenance and
monitoring of the property consistent with any permit conditions and
mitigation requirements imposed by state or federal law or conditions
imposed by a state or federal agency. In determining the amount of
the funding provided, the commission shall consider the costs of
maintaining and monitoring the property and shall offset from the
amount of those costs any benefit or value received by the transferee
or the commission as a result of the transfer.
(2) The transferee to which the commission transfers the property
shall assume the long-term responsibility for the future maintenance
and monitoring of the property.
(3) (A) If the transferee fails to maintain and monitor the
property in the manner required by law, by a permit, or as described
in paragraph (1), or if the transferee is a nonprofit corporation
that ceases to exist, the property shall automatically revert to the
commission.
(B) If the property reverts to the commission pursuant to this
paragraph, any remaining funds from the original transfer pursuant to
paragraph (1) shall also revert to the commission.
(C) Any costs, including legal costs, associated with reversion of
the property and funds pursuant to this paragraph shall be the
responsibility of the transferee.
(4) Any documents conveying property in accordance with this
section shall include a restriction limiting the use of the property
solely for conservation purposes or environmental mitigation purposes
in accordance with the conditions specified in paragraph (1).
(5) Documents conveying property in accordance with this section
and documents related to a transfer or assignment of property under
this section shall be filed with the county recorder's office in the
county in which the property is located.
(6) The transferee shall not do any of the following:
(A) Transfer or assign the property to another entity without
approval from the commission and compliance with this section.
(B) Transfer or use the property for any purpose other than as
required by the agreement described in paragraph (1), and any
relevant permit conditions and mitigation requirements.
(C) Subdivide the property.
(D) Secure loans or liens against the property.
(7) The commission shall conduct, or cause to be conducted, an
audit of the performance of the transferee at least once every five
years to ensure that the transferee is meeting its obligations
pursuant to the terms of the agreement described in paragraph (1).
(b) The commission may, upon terms, standards, and conditions
approved by the commission, award one or more grants to provide a
funding mechanism for long-term management and monitoring of projects
authorized by Section 132320 to a public agency or to a nonprofit
corporation that is qualified pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code. As a condition to the award of a grant
pursuant to this subdivision, the commission may enter into an
agreement with the grantee that contains the following terms:
(1) The grantee shall maintain accurate books, records, and
accounts of all of its dealings, which shall be subject to an annual
financial audit by an independent auditing firm approved by the
commission. The grantee shall pay for the annual audit and provide a
copy of the audit results to the commission. The commission shall
determine whether the grant fund expenditures are consistent with the
terms of the agreement described in this subdivision. In addition,
the commission may conduct or cause to be conducted a fiscal and
compliance audit of the grantee.
(2) The commission shall conduct, or cause to be conducted, an
audit of the performance of the grantee at least once every five
years to ensure that the grantee is meeting its obligations pursuant
to the terms of the agreement described in this subdivision.
(3) (A) If the grantee fails to perform its management or
monitoring responsibilities in the manner required by law and in the
manner required by the agreement described in this subdivision, or if
a grantee that is a nonprofit corporation ceases to exist, any
remaining funds derived from the grant pursuant to this subdivision
shall revert to the commission.
(B) Any costs, including legal costs, associated with reversion of
funds to the commission pursuant to this paragraph shall be the
responsibility of the grantee.