CHAPTER 1. Findings and Declarations of Policy [14000. - 14004.]

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC 1.

in effect

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 14000. Section 14000.

(a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that every California youth should be encouraged to reach their full potential, but that many youths require guidance and support to reach their goals and make positive changes in their lives. (b) The Legislature finds and declares that conserving or developing natural resources, and enhancing and maintaining environmentally important lands and waters through the use of California’s young adults, is beneficial not only to the youth of the state by providing them with educational and work opportunities, but also is beneficial for the state’s economy and its environment. (c) The Legislature further finds and declares that the California Conservation Corps continues to offer California a unique opportunity to meet both the goal of increasing understanding and appreciation of the environment and the goal of helping youths become productive adults. (d) The Legislature therefore reaffirms its intent that the corps’ mission includes increasing awareness of and improving our natural resources, but more importantly, includes instilling basic skills and a healthy work ethic in California youth, building their character, self-esteem, and self-discipline, and establishing within them a strong sense of civic responsibility and understanding of the value of a day’s work for a day’s wages. (e) It is the further intent of the Legislature that corpsmembers graduate from the corps with good work habits, positive attitudes, and broadened professional horizons. It is the intent of the Legislature that the corps blend academic and job skills training with personal growth opportunities in order to develop productive youths who can make substantial contributions as California workers and citizens. (f) It is the further intent of the Legislature, in memory of Brien Thomas “B.T.” Collins and John E. “Jack” Dugan, and on behalf of their passion, support, and commitment to the mission of the corps, to ensure that the corps is an entrepreneurial and incentive-based program with stable and predictable funding. In pursuit of that goal, it is the intent of the Legislature that all state agencies look to the corps first to perform those projects that meet the mission of the corps.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 14001. Section 14001.

In the Natural Resources Agency there is the California Conservation Corps, which shall be responsible for carrying out the purposes of, and implementing the findings and policies set forth in, this division.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 14002. Section 14002.

The Legislature finds and declares that the California Conservation Corps provides an invaluable service. The Legislature supports the corps’ mission to enhance the educational opportunities and employability of corps members. To further this mission local community college districts and the corps are encouraged to enter into cooperative agreements so that corps members have access to equal educational opportunities. Local community college districts are encouraged to recognize the unique needs and circumstances of the corps members and the corps’ need for adequate facilities. Local community college districts should, to the extent possible, develop procedures to address these unique needs.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 14003. Section 14003.

(a) The Legislature finds and declares that the State of California has already established a model conservation corps program and that redundant federal and state programs to carry out resource protection and conservation within the state are not in the best interests of the state. Rather, it is in the best interests of the state that federal funds designated to be expended by federal agencies for this purpose be allocated, to the extent feasible, to the California Conservation Corps and local conservation corps. (b) If federal funds are available for youth conservation corps or community service corps programs, excluding the federal Job Corps, the California Conservation Corps is hereby designated as the program recipient for the State of California, and the corps may distribute, as appropriate, any federal funds to other corps programs within the state. The director shall have the authority to adopt, amend, and repeal policies to implement the program consistent with the federal requirements and with this division.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 14004. Section 14004.

In memory of Brien Thomas “B.T.” Collins, and on behalf of his passion, support, and commitment to the mission of the corps, the California Conservation Corps headquarters in Sacramento is hereby named the “B.T. Collins California Conservation Corps Building.”

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026