1. (a) All applications shall be reviewed by a review committee of state-staff experts with relevant qualifications based on the nature of the funding available and the Conservancy's priorities. If state-staff with relevant expertise are unavailable, the Conservancy may invite non-state-staff experts to participate in the review committee.
2. (b) All review committee members are subject to applicable laws on conflict of interest.

3. (c) Each application will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

   1. (1) Alignment with and response to the program declarations listed in section 1 of Proposition 4, including advancing funding to Vulnerable Populations, Disadvantaged Communities, or Severely Disadvantaged Communities, meaningful benefit, and advancement of Environmental Justice principles.

   2. (2) Alignment with program priorities which shall include the following:

      1. (A) Access to open space and parks for areas of high need.
      2. (B) Solicitation and inclusion of underrepresented business enterprises, workforce development and investment in economic empowerment zones.
      3. (C) Mitigation of environmental harms for frontline community resiliency.
      4. (D) Climate resiliency interventions that prepare vulnerable neighborhoods for extreme heat, wildfire, and flooding.
      5. (E) Use of nature-based solutions to mitigate the effects of extreme heat and rising temperatures on communities.
      6. (F) Demonstration of public benefits the project will provide, including meaningful and direct benefits to vulnerable populations and disadvantaged communities.
      7. (G) For projects that affect tribal communities, the extent of meaningful outreach and collaboration with California Native American tribes throughout project planning and implementation.
      8. (H) Demonstration of public benefits anticipated to be derived from the project, including direct and meaningful community benefits, workforce development and training, or the inclusion of community partnerships, where applicable, including tribally led projects or partnerships.
      9. (I) Demonstration of readiness and capacity to complete the proposed project.
      10. (J) Inclusion of services by the California Conservation Corps or certified community conservation corps, as defined in Public Resources Code section 14507.5, where determined feasible by the applicant.
      11. (K) Inclusion of innovative and/or effective methodology supported by science.
      12. (L) Relative need of the project, based on geographic or environmental vulnerability factors, as described in the request for proposals pursuant section 27005.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 32578, 32565.5, 32566, 32569, 32573, 32575 and 93020. Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 32553, 32555, 32568, 90000, 90100, 90110, 90133, 93010, 93050 and 90140, Public Resources Code.

History

1. New section filed 4-20-2026 as an emergency; operative 4-20-2026 (Register 2026, No. 17). This filing was deemed an emergency and remains in effect until repealed or revised by the adopting agency pursuant to Public Resources Code section 90135(e).