AB 2463, which aims to preserve conservation corps and promote volunteerism across California, recently passed out of the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee (5-0). The bill has now been referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The Local Conservation Corps are 14 state-certified regional organizations, located throughout the state, whose missions are to develop and deploy a trained workforce equipped to preserve and protect our state, our environment, and our communities. Throughout the state, corps members work in environmental conservation, habitat enhancement, fire protection, land maintenance, emergency response to natural disasters, and more.
“The local corps are at the forefront of California’s environmental and conservation efforts to protect California’s natural resources,” said Assemblymember Lee. “This important bill makes it possible for their continued work in helping the state lead in the global fight against climate change.”
For more than 15 years, volunteers and conservation corps members have been exempt from paying prevailing wage on public works projects for volunteers, volunteer coordinators, and members of the California Conservation. This exemption has been vital in allowing the state to preserve the conservation corps and promoting volunteerism throughout California. However, this important exemption is currently set to expire on January 1, 2024.
AB 2463 extends the sunset date of the California public works prevailing wage exemption, for volunteers and conservation corps members, from January 1, 2024, to January 1, 2031. This extension would ensure state and local conservation corps can continue providing these important services to young people and the environment, which is more critical than ever in combating the impacts of climate change.
This bill is co-sponsored by the California Association of Local Conservation Corps and the California Council of Land Trusts.