CA AB1548

Establishes the Monterey Bay Area Stewardship Authority as a regional entity covering Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties to raise and allocate funds for conservation, restoration, and stewardship of natural and working lands

Creates a 9-member governing board consisting of one county supervisor from each of the three counties, one city official from each county, and three public members with expertise in tribal/underserved populations, working lands, and biodiversity

Authorizes the authority to levy benefit assessments, special taxes, or property-related fees; issue revenue bonds; incur general obligation bond debt; apply for state and federal grants; and accept gifts from public and private entities

Empowers the authority to award grants for projects including habitat restoration, climate resilience, soil health, water quality improvement, wildfire risk reduction, and support for voluntary conservation partnerships among tribes, agricultural landowners, and government agencies

Requires establishment of a 12-member advisory committee representing California Native American tribes, state and federal agencies, conservation districts, land trusts, community organizations, and members of the public including farmers and ranchers