(a) (1) If a department determines that property is available for acquisition by donation, and that the acquisition of the property would comply with the requirements of an applicable bond provision specified in subdivision (c) of Section 37032 and any applicable guidelines developed for that bond provision by the administering agency, and the department believes the acquisition of the property would comply with the requirements of this division, the department may request the prospective donor of the property to submit an application pursuant to Section 37010. If the prospective donor agrees to submit that application, the department may apply for approval of the donation pursuant to the requirements of this division.

(2) If a local government determines that property is available for acquisition by donation, and that the acquisition of the property would comply with the requirements of an applicable bond provision specified in subdivision (c) of Section 37032 and any applicable guidelines developed for that bond provision by the administering agency, and the local government believes that the acquisition of the property would comply with the requirements of this division, the local government may request the department that allocated to it the relevant bond funds to determine whether it agrees with the local government’s determinations and beliefs made pursuant to this paragraph. If the department agrees with the local government and gives its approval for the acquisition with bond funds that it has allocated to the local government, the local government may request the prospective donor of the property to submit an application pursuant to Section 37010. If the prospective donor agrees to submit the application, the local government may apply for approval of the donation pursuant to the requirements of this division.

(3) In addition to the requirements of Section 37011, the application shall include, and shall not be accepted if it does not include, a signed authorization by the donor, in a form and manner mutually agreeable to the board and the Franchise Tax Board, for the disclosure of the information necessary to make the payment as required by subdivision (b). For purposes of subdivision (b) of Section 1798.24 of the Civil Code, the signed authorization shall be the donor’s voluntary consent to the disclosure of the information.

(b) (1) If the board gives approval, the department or local government may acquire the property pursuant to this division. Through the process outlined in this section, the department shall reimburse the General Fund for the tax credit claimed pursuant to this chapter under Section 17053.30 or 23630 of the Revenue and Taxation Code by transferring bond funds identified under subdivision (c) of Section 37032 to the Natural Heritage Preservation Tax Credit Reimbursement Account, on the basis of information provided to the department under Section 37040 regarding credit claimed for a qualified contribution under Section 17053.30 or 23630 of the Revenue and Taxation Code in that tax year.

(2) If a local government applies directly to the board for acceptance of a qualified donation, the board may provide conditional approval for the local government to acquire the property pursuant to this division. Through the process outlined in this section, the local government shall reimburse the General Fund for the tax credit claimed pursuant to this chapter under Section 17053.30 or 23630 of the Revenue and Taxation Code by transferring funds in the full amount of the approved tax credit to the board for deposit into the Natural Heritage Preservation Tax Credit Reimbursement Account.

(3) (A) Upon approval by the board, and prior to the time the department, local government, or designated nonprofit organization receives the property, the department shall encumber bond funds identified under subdivision (c) of Section 37032 in an amount necessary to pay for the tax credit as provided in Section 17053.30 or 23630, as applicable, of the Revenue and Taxation Code.

(B) If a local government applies directly to the board for acceptance of a qualified donation, and the board provides conditional approval of the qualified donation, the local government shall have 60 days to transfer to the board the full amount of funds necessary to reimburse the General Fund. Upon receipt of the funds necessary to reimburse the General Fund, the board shall provide the donor and the local government with a notice of final approval of the tax credit. A tax credit is not approved until such time as the donor and local government receive a final notification from the board that sufficient funds have been received to reimburse the General Fund for the loss of revenue associated with the tax credit.

(C) The acquisition agreement or any other document that clearly delineates the commitment pursuant to this division shall be the only documentation required for the department to encumber the bond funds as required by this paragraph.

(D) Except as prohibited by the relevant bond act, notwithstanding Section 13340 of the Government Code or any other provision of law, the encumbrance shall be available without regard to fiscal years to allow payments to the Natural Heritage Preservation Tax Credit Reimbursement Account for the tax credit due the donor of the property under Section 17053.30 or 23630, as applicable, of the Revenue and Taxation Code.

(4) The Franchise Tax Board shall provide the board information pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 19560 of the Revenue and Taxation Code on tax credits claimed. The information shall include the tax year for which the credit was claimed. The board shall provide the information required by Section 37040 to the relevant department. Upon notification that a qualified tax credit has been claimed, the department, pursuant to paragraph (1), shall transfer bond funds in the amount of the tax credit for that tax year to the Natural Heritage Preservation Tax Credit Reimbursement Account within 60 days of receipt of the notification. The department shall notify the board of this transfer.

(5) The board shall forward the information it receives pursuant to paragraph (4) to the Controller and the Department of Finance, which shall use the information for the purpose of attributing the budgetary impact of the credit and bond fund transfer to the appropriate tax and fiscal year.

(Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 220, Sec. 4. (AB 94) Effective January 1, 2010.)