CA AB2348

Establishes the California Winter Rice Habitat Incentive Program authorizing the Director of Fish and Wildlife to enter into 3-year contracts with owners or lessees of winter-flooded rice lands to conserve waterfowl habitat while allowing continued rice farming.

Requires contracted rice lands to have been farmed to rice at least 2 of the last 3 growing seasons and maintained flooded for at least 70 days between October 15 and March 15 annually.

Creates the California Winter Rice Habitat Incentive Program Account in the Fish and Game Preservation Fund with funds available upon appropriation, with up to 5 percent for administrative costs and up to 10 percent for planning and monitoring.

Mandates the director consult with military branches or international airport operators before entering contracts on lands within 5 miles of military base runways or international airports.

Requires payment reductions if landowners receive compensation from federal Water Bank Program or other governmental programs for the same obligations, and mandates refund of unearned payments if ownership or use is divested during the contract period.