1. (a) All proposals shall be reviewed by a review committee of state staff with relevant qualifications based on the nature of the funding available and the Agency's priorities.

   1. (1) If state staff with relevant expertise are unavailable, the Agency may invite non-state staff experts to participate in the review committee.
   2. (2) All review committee members are subject to applicable laws on conflict of interest.

2. (b) Each proposal 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, and advancement of Environmental Justice principles.

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

      1. (A) Use of nature-based solutions to mitigate the effects of extreme heat and rising temperatures on communities.
      2. (B) Project need, based on geographic or environmental vulnerability factors.
      3. (C) Project ability to protect people and/or nature from climate impacts, in particular extreme heat.
      4. (D) Project design that reduces risks from extreme heat and builds resilience to future temperature increases.
      5. (E) Project planning that is guided by the best available science, including local and traditional ecological knowledge.
      6. (F) Demonstration of public benefits the project will provide, including meaningful and direct benefits to Vulnerable Populations, Disadvantaged Communities, and Severely Disadvantaged Communities.
      7. (G) Local community partnership in project design, implementation and monitoring.
      8. (H) For projects that affect tribal communities, the extent of meaningful outreach and collaboration with California Native American tribes throughout project planning and implementation.
      9. (I) Multiple benefits provided by the project.
      10. (J) Use of the services of the California Conservation Corps or certified local community conservation corps, where feasible.
      11. (K) Leveraging of private, federal, or local funding.
      12. (L) Applicant capacity to complete the project.
      13. (M) Project readiness.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 90135 and 92530, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 90100, 90110, 90140, 90150, 90610 and 92530, Public Resources Code.

History

1. New section filed 1-30-2026 as an emergency; operative 1-30-2026 (Register 2026, No. 5). 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).