(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.

(Added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 83, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2009.)