CA SB1501

Amends the Open-Space Easement Act of 1974 to make technical and nonsubstantive changes to provisions regulating open-space easements on privately owned lands.

Expands the purposes for which governing bodies may approve open-space easement grants to include preservation for enjoyment of scenic beauty, use of natural resources, recreation, production of food or fiber, and other public interest reasons.

Requires open-space easements accepted or approved by counties or cities to be recorded consistent with the county recorder's existing indexing system for conservation easements under Section 27255.

Repeals Section 51052 of the Government Code and maintains that easements and covenants must run for a term of not less than 20 years or 10 years depending on the easement type.

Clarifies that easements may contain covenants against extraction of natural resources, timber cutting, and other activities that destroy the unique physical and scenic characteristics of the land.