71136.
(a) A regional climate network may engage in any of the following activities to address climate change that include, but are not limited to, any of the following: change:(1) Supporting the development of and updates to regional climate adaptation and resilience action plans, strategies, and programs, including performing qualitative and quantitative research, compiling and hosting relevant data and
resources, developing tools, and providing technical assistance.
(2) Supporting the implementation of regional climate adaptation and resilience action plans, hazard and greenhouse gas emissions mitigation strategies, and programs, including evaluating funding and financing mechanisms, monitoring and evaluating progress, and providing technical assistance.
(3) Facilitating the exchange of best practices, policies, projects, and strategies among eligible entities and stakeholders, and between regions on climate adaptation, hazard mitigation, and greenhouse gas emissions mitigation.
(4) Conducting activities to support ongoing coordination and capacity building among eligible entities, including convening working
groups, organizing training opportunities, and creating mechanisms for collaboration.
(5) Conducting educational activities for eligible entities, decisionmakers, key stakeholders, and the general public, to increase their understanding of climate change risks and adaptation solutions.
(6) Administering grants to eligible entities.
(b) Regional climate networks shall have, and may exercise, all powers, expressed or implied, that are necessary to carry out the intent and purposes of this part, including, but not limited to, the power to do all of the following:
(1) Apply for
and receive grants from federal and state agencies.
(2) Enter into and perform all necessary contracts.
(3) Enter into joint power agreements pursuant to the Joint Exercise of Powers Act (Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 6500) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code).
(4) Hire staff, define their qualifications and duties, and provide a schedule of compensation for the performance of their duties.
(c) A regional climate network may establish distinct governance procedures and policies that acknowledge regional conditions and accommodate regional needs to administer activities pursuant to this section. Governance procedures and policies shall include processes
for eligible entities to participate and strategies for public engagement to ensure a multistakeholder process that incorporates and supports input from vulnerable communities and under-resourced communities, and be consistent with guidelines described in subdivision (a) of Section 71134.
(d) A regional climate network shall comply with requirements of the Ralph M. Brown Act (Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 54950) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code).
(e) The Office of Planning and Research may request that established regional climate networks submit a biennial report to the Office of Planning and Research that includes, but need not be limited to, all of the following:
(1) The participating
eligible entities of the regional climate network.
(2) An outline of all activities and the outcome of each activity.
(3) Actions taken by the regional climate network.
(4) An accounting of the administration of, and expenditures made by, the regional climate networks.
(5) Recommendations to state agencies on opportunities to support regional climate adaptation and mitigation planning, investment, and implementation.