CA AB697

Reorganizes the Good Neighbor Authority Program to establish a formal program for ecological restoration and fire resiliency projects on national forest lands under agreement between California and the federal government.

Prioritizes landscape-scale forest restoration and fuels reduction projects focused on ecological restoration, community fire protection, and protection of water and infrastructure based on best available science.

Requires projects to emphasize prescribed fire where appropriate, prevent type conversion and invasive species spread, and provide ecologically appropriate treatment for native shrublands like chaparral and coastal sage scrub.

Authorizes the Good Neighbor Authority Fund to receive revenues from sale of forest products from federal lands and grants and donations to support planning, implementing, and maintaining restoration projects.

Allows the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency to contract with tribes, state agencies, local governments, forest collaboratives, conservation districts, and nongovernmental organizations to assist in landscape-scale restoration projects.