State California HNC Sec 5800-5956 General Provisions and Formation (HARBOR AND PORT DISTRICTS) HARBORS AND NAVIGATION CODE SECTION 5800-5956 5800. "Harbor," as used in this part, includes any bay, harbor, inlet or other arm of the sea in which the tides of the Pacific Ocean ebb and flow, or any navigable water of the Pacific Ocean suitable for the anchoring and docking of vessels. 5801. "Harbor commission," as used in this part, includes any commission, board or officer in which the improvement, development, protection, maintenance, management or control of any harbor or part of any harbor in this state is by law, ordinance, or other legal authority vested or exercised. 5802. "District," as used in this part, refers to a district formed pursuant to this part. 5820. Any portion of a county in this state, the exterior boundaries of which include a bay, harbor, inlet, or navigable water of the Pacific Ocean, may be formed into a district for the improvement or development of a harbor. The work may include the dredging of channels, shipways, ship berths, anchorage places, and turning basins, and the construction of jetties, breakwaters, bulkheads, seawalls, wharves, ferry slips, and warehouses. 5821. Whenever fifty or more persons in any county of this State, the exterior boundaries of which include a harbor, desire to form a district within the county for the improvement or development of a harbor, they may present a petition in writing signed by them to the board of supervisors of the county. 5822. The petition shall show: (a) The name of the proposed district. (b) The official name or name by which the harbor is commonly known. (c) Whether the improvement, development, protection, maintenance, management or control of the harbor, or any part of it, is vested in or exercised by a harbor commission. (d) The exterior boundaries of the proposed district, which may include incorporated territory, or both incorporated and unincorporated territory, but shall include the whole or some part of the harbor proposed to be improved or developed. (e) A general description of the proposed improvement and development work. (f) The estimated cost of the improvement or development, and the incidental expenses. 5823. The petition shall contain a request that the territory included within the boundaries be formed into a harbor district for the purpose of the improvement or development of the harbor. 5824. Each signer of the petition shall be a registered voter, resident, and freeholder within the proposed district. 5825. The petition shall be published for at least two weeks preceding the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation printed in the county, together with a notice signed by not exceeding three of the petitioners. The notice shall state the day, hour and place at which the petition will be presented to the board of supervisors for hearing, and that all persons interested may appear and be heard at this time and place. 5830. At the time and place specified in the notice the board of supervisors shall consider the petition and may continue the hearing from time to time not exceeding a period of ninety days. 5831. A certificate issued by the assessor of the county and filed in the proceedings, which states that the name of any signer of the petition appears upon the last equalized assessment-roll of the county for land assessed to him or her and located within the boundaries of the proposed district, is prima facie evidence that the signer is a freeholder within the proposed district. A certificate signed by the county elections official, which states that the name of any signer of the petition is registered and uncanceled as a voter of the county and that he or she resides within the boundaries of the proposed district, is prima facie evidence that the signer is a registered voter within the proposed district. 5832. At the hearing, the board of supervisors may change the exterior boundaries of the proposed district, as set forth in the petition, by excluding lands which would not be benefited by the improvement or development of the harbor. 5833. The board of supervisors may also change the exterior boundaries of the proposed district, as set forth in the petition by adding to the proposed district other contiguous lands which will be benefited by the improvement or development of the harbor. 5834. Land may not be added to the proposed district until notice is served upon the owner of the lands proposed to be added. The notice may be personally served upon the owner or published for the same period of time and in the same paper as the original petition and notice of hearing. The notice shall state the day, hour, and place at which the owner will be heard and shall generally describe the lands proposed to be added to the proposed district. 5835. The board of supervisors shall investigate and determine: (a) If the improvement or development work generally described in the petition is feasible. (b) If, when completed it will result in the improvement or development of the harbor. (c) If the estimated cost and incidental expenses are the reasonable and necessary costs of the improvement or development work and incidental expenses. For the purpose of investigation and determination, it may submit the improvement or development work described in the petition to engineers for examination and report. 5836. If it appears, and the board of supervisors finds that it is necessary, in order to make a sufficient and adequate examination, to continue the hearing beyond ninety days, the board may for that purpose continue the hearing for not longer than six months from the date of the presentation of the petition. 5837. If the improvement, development, protection, maintenance, management or control of a harbor or any part thereof, proposed to be imporved or developed, is vested in or exercised by a harbor commission, the petition shall be submitted to and approved by the harbor commission, before it is presented to the board of supervisors, and all investigations of the improvement or development work, and its estimated cost, ordered or directed to be made by the board of supervisors, shall be made by or under and subject to the approval of the harbor commission. 5838. Neither the board of supervisors or the harbor commission, if one exists, is bound by the improvement or development work described in the petition, or by the estimated cost set forth, but it may find that other, different, or less amount of improvement or development work should be done, and find the estimated cost and the incidental expenses. 5839. Upon final hearing, the board of supervisors shall have a finding of facts entered upon the minutes of the meeting if it appears that: (a) The petition and notice of hearing have been duly published. (b) The petition is signed by a sufficient number of persons who possess the required qualifications. (c) A harbor exists within the county, some portion of which is contained within the exterior boundaries set forth in the petition. (d) It can be improved and developed as generally described in the petition at a cost not disproportionate to the benefit to be derived from the improvement and development. (e) The improvement or development has the approval of the harbor commission, if one exists. 5840. The finding of facts required to be made by the board of supervisors shall set forth: (a) The name of the proposed district, as set forth in the petition. (b) The official name or name by which the harbor is commonly known. (c) A description of the exterior boundaries of the territory to be included within the proposed district, as originally set forth in the petition, or as they may have been changed by the inclusion or exclusion of lands. (d) The improvement or development work to be done. (e) The estimated cost, and the incidental expenses. 5841. The findings are conclusive evidence of the existence of every fact found by the board of supervisors and of the due signing and publication of the petition and of the publication or personal service of all prior notices, and vest the board with authority to proceed pursuant to this part. 5859. The board of supervisors shall make and have entered in the minutes an order finally determining the exterior boundaries of the district, the improvement or development work to be done in the harbor, and the estimated cost, and the incidental expenses. 5860. The board shall pass a resolution calling an election for the purpose of submitting to the qualified voters the proposition of the formation of the district and incurring a bonded debt and issuing and selling bonds, to pay the cost of the improvement or development work, in a sum not greater than the estimated cost, and the incidental expenses as found by the board. 5861. This resolution of the board of supervisors shall: (a) Fix the date of the election which shall be not less than 130 days after the date of the passage of the resolution. (b) Designate one or more voting precincts and generally describe the boundaries of each precinct. (c) Designate a place within each precinct at which the polls will be opened for the purpose of the election on the date of the election. (d) Appoint a board of election for each precinct, consisting of one inspector, one judge, and one clerk, each of whom shall be a registered elector of, and reside within, the precinct for which he or she is appointed. (e) State the object and purposes for which the indebtedness is proposed to be incurred and the amount of the principal of the indebtedness. (f) Recite a maximum rate of interest to be paid on indebtedness, not exceeding seven per cent per annum, payable semiannually. 5862. The resolution shall also prescribe the manner of voting for or against the incurring of the indebtedness and for or against the formation of the district, and in all particulars not recited in the resolution or as otherwise provided for in this part, the election shall be held in accordance with the general election law of the state, so far as it is applicable, but it is not necessary to mail or send out sample ballots or precinct polling cards. 5863. The resolution shall invite the qualified voters residing in the proposed district to vote upon the proposition by marking on the ballot opposite the proposition of the formation of the district and of the incurring of indebtedness thereby. 5864. The ballot to be used at the election shall be substantially in the following form: HARBOR DISTRICT OFFICIAL BALLOT Instructions to voters: To vote in favor of the formation of the harbor district and the incurring of the indebtedness thereby, mark in the voting area at the right of the words "For the harbor district." To vote against the formation of the harbor district and the incurring of the indebtedness thereby, mark in the voting area at the right of the words "Against the harbor district." All erasures and distinguishing marks are forbidden and make the ballot void. If you wrongly stamp, tear, or deface this ballot, return it to the inspector of election and obtain another. PROPOSITION "For the harbor district" (here set forth a general statement of the purposes for which the indebtedness is to be incurred, and the amount of the indebtedness). "Against the harbor district" (here set forth a general statement of the purposes for which the indebtedness is to be incurred and the amount of the indebtedness). 5865. The resolution calling the election shall be published pursuant to Section 6061 of the Government Code. The passage of the resolution and its publication constitute the notice of election and no other notice need be given. 5866. On the day of the election the polls at each of the polling places designated by the board of supervisors shall be opened at the hour of seven o'clock a.m. and shall be kept opened until the hour of eight o'clock p.m. of the same day, when the polls shall be closed. Any elector within the polling place or standing in line thereat who has not had an opportunity to vote and desires to vote shall be permitted to vote after the hour of eight o'clock p.m. of the day of election. 5867. When the polls are closed, the board of election in each precinct shall close the polls in accordance with the election laws of the state governing general elections, and deposit the ballots with the county elections official of the county in which the election is held. 5868. The board of supervisors at its first regular meeting after the date of the election shall canvass the returns of the election, and shall have entered upon the minutes of the meeting a finding showing the number of votes cast in each precinct for the district and the incurring of the indebtedness, and the number of votes cast against the district and the incurring of the indebtedness, and the total number of votes cast in all the precincts for and against the harbor district and the incurring of the indebtedness. 5869. If from the canvass it appears and the board of supervisors finds that a majority of the votes were not cast for the proposed district and the incurring of indebtedness thereby, it shall enter that fact upon its minutes, and no further proceedings shall be taken under the petition, but a new petition and notice may be signed, published, and filed and a new proceeding had after the expiration of one year from the date of the election. 5870. If it appears and the board of supervisors finds that more than a majority of the votes cast at the election were cast for the district and the incurring of the indebtedness, it shall have that fact entered upon the minutes, together with a description of the boundaries of the district, its name, and the official name or names by which the district is commonly known, and enter an order declaring the district duly formed, and existing in the county in which the proceedings were had, and that an indebtedness of the district is authorized in the principal sum specified, to pay the cost of making the improvement or development, as set forth in the resolution. 5871. The clerk of the board of supervisors shall thereupon immediately make up and certify a copy of these minutes and order and transmit them to the Secretary of State. 5872. The Secretary of State shall file the certificate in his or her office, and within five days thereafter shall execute under the great seal of the State, and transmit to the clerk of the board of supervisors of the county in which the proceedings were had, a certificate that a harbor district under the name set forth in the petition has been formed and exists in that county. 5873. The clerk of the board of supervisors shall file the certificate in his or her office and upon the filing of the certificate of the Secretary of State in the office of the clerk of the board of supervisors, the formation of the district is complete, and an indebtedness is authorized in the sum specified in the resolution calling the election. 5874. An action or proceeding shall not be maintained or prosecuted in any court whatever to test or to invalidate the formation of the district or the authorized indebtedness unless it is commenced in a court of competent jurisdiction within 60 days after the date of the filing of the certificate of the Secretary of State in the office of the clerk of the board of supervisors. 5880. The board of supervisors shall pass a resolution providing for the issuance and sale of bonds to represent the principal of the indebtedness authorized to pay the cost of the improvement or development work in the harbor, and shall prescribe the form of the bonds. 5881. All bonds issued under this part shall be payable substantially in the following manner: A part to be determined by the board of supervisors, which shall be not less than one-fortieth part of the whole indebtedness, shall be paid each year on a date, and at a place to be fixed by the board of supervisors, and designated in the bonds, together with interest on all sums unpaid at that date. 5882. The board of supervisors of the county may determine the denomination of the bonds, except that no one bond shall be of a denomination less than one hundred nor more than one thousand dollars. The bonds shall be payable on the date and at the place fixed in the bond, with interest payable semiannually at the rate specified in the bond, which shall not exceed the maximum fixed by the resolution calling the election. 5883. The bonds shall be signed by the chairman of the board of supervisors, and the treasurer, and countersigned by the auditor of the county. The coupons upon the bonds shall be numbered consecutively and signed by the county treasurer. If any officer whose signature or counter-signature appears on the bonds or coupons ceases to be an officer before the delivery of the bonds to the purchaser, his signature or counter-signature is as valid as if he had remained in office. 5884. Bonds may be issued and sold by the board of supervisors of the county for not less than their par value and accrued interest at the date of delivery, and the proceeds shall be placed in the treasury of the county to the credit of the proper improvement fund, and applied exclusively to the purposes mentioned in the resolution and for which the bonds were voted. 5890. Bonds issued are obligations of the district and the board of supervisors of the county shall, at the time of fixing the general tax levy and in the manner provided for the general tax levy, levy and collect annually until the bonds are paid, or until there is a sufficient sum in the treasury of the county set apart to meet all sums coming due for principal and interest on the bonds, a tax sufficient to pay the annual interest on the bonds and the part of the principal which will become due before the time for fixing the next general tax levy. 5891. The taxes shall: (a) Be levied upon all of the property within the district taxable for county purposes. (b) Be in addition to all other taxes levied for county purposes. (c) Be collected at the same time and in the same manner as other county taxes are collected. (d) Be used for no purpose other than payment of the bonds and accruing interest. 5892. The board of supervisors may at the same time and in the same manner levy upon all of the property in the district a tax sufficient to pay the ordinary annual expenses of maintenance of the district and it may also levy a tax sufficient to meet expenditures for any further improvement and development of the harbor which the board deems necessary and advisable. 5893. In no event shall the district levy a tax in excess of twenty cents ($0. 20) for each one hundred dollars ($100) of assessed valuation within the district. 5900. Whenever any district is formed pursuant to this part and its control is vested in the board of supervisors of the county in which the district is situated, the board of supervisors may pass all necessary ordinances for the regulation of the district and provide that the violation of such ordinances constitutes a misdemeanor. 5900.1. The board may sue and be sued in the name of the district. 5900.2. The board may adopt a seal and alter it at pleasure. 5900.3. The board may take by grant, purchase, gift, devise, lease and dispose of real and personal property of every kind within or without the district necessary to the full or convenient exercise of their powers. 5900.4. The board may exercise the right of eminent domain to take any property necessary or convenient to the exercise of the powers conferred by this part. 5900.5. The board may borrow money and incur indebtedness and issue bonds or other evidence of the indebtedness in the manner, and to the extent, deemed necessary by the board for further improvement and development of the harbor. The board also may do any other acts, and exercise any other powers, which may be necessary or convenient for the full exercise of the powers specifically granted by this part. 5900.6. When any improvement or development work done under the authority of the board is completed, the maintenance, management, and control of the work done, and of the harbor as so improved, shall pass to and be vested in the board. The board may employ and pay all necessary agents, servants, and employees to manage, maintain, and control the harbor. 5900.7. If any portion of the harbor is situated within the boundaries of any incorporated city, the board of supervisors may enter into arrangements or contracts with the governing body of that city, upon such terms as may be agreed upon, for the purchase and maintenance of fireboats, patrol boats, sanitary and other equipment which the board deems necessary for the proper protection of the harbor. 5900.8. The board shall exercise general supervision over the harbor and may adopt general rules and regulations for the government thereof, which in its judgment will best promote the interests thereof, if these rules and regulations do not conflict with the right of any city to exercise its police powers, or with the right of the city to license and regulate business enterprises within its corporate limits. If any business or enterprise is located adjacent to or affects the use and enjoyment of the waters of the harbor, the approval of the board of supervisors shall be necessary to the licensing and regulation thereof. 5900.9. The board may provide by ordinance for the regulation of anchorages, wharfages and dockage of vessels within the harbor and it may establish and collect fees and licenses therefor. The proceeds when collected shall be deposited to the credit of the harbor district fund. 5900.10. Every person who violates the provisions of any ordinance enacted by the board of supervisors pursuant to this part, is guilty of a misdemeanor. 5900.11. A district may destroy a record pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 60200) of Division 1 of Title 6 of the Government Code. 5901. The governing body of a city within which a portion of the harbor is situated may establish by ordinance any regulations which are proper in the exercise of its police powers which regulations do not conflict with the provisions of this part, or with any lawful ordinance of the board of supervisors. 5902. The board of supervisors may by ordinance provide for the appointment of a harbor commission consisting of seven persons, and shall by ordinance define its powers and duties. 5903. If the purposes for which the bonds were voted are being or shall be carried out by cooperation or agreement between the United States of America or any department, officer or agency thereof, and the district, the proceeds of the bonds may be turned over to the United States of America, or any department, officer or agency thereof, to be expended by it in the performance of the improvement or development work for which the bonds were voted. If the improvement or development work for which the bonds of the district were voted is to be done jointly with the United States of America, or any department, officer or agency thereof, the portion of the cost to be borne by the district may be turned over to the United States of America, or any department, officer or agency thereof, to be expended by it in the performance of the improvement or development work, and all cooperative arrangements or agreements heretofore entered into are hereby validated, legalized and confirmed, and the payment and turning over to the United States of America or to any department, officer or agency thereof, heretofore or hereafter of the proceeds of any harbor district bonds for expenditure by the United States of America, or any department, officer or agency thereof, in the performance of the improvement or development work for which the bonds were voted is hereby validated, legalized and confirmed for all purposes and the performance of the work by or under the supervision of the United States of America, or any department, officer or agency thereof, is hereby validated, legalized and confirmed. 5904. (a) The district may, in any year, levy assessments, reassessments, or special taxes and issue bonds to finance waterway construction projects and related operations and maintenance, or operations and maintenance projects independent of construction projects in accordance with, and pursuant to, the Improvement Act of 1911 (Division 7 (commencing with Section 5000) of the Streets and Highways Code), the Improvement Bond Act of 1915 (Division 10 (commencing with Section 8500) of the Streets and Highways Code), the Municipal Improvement Act of 1913 (Division 12 (commencing with Section 10000) of the Streets and Highways Code), the Benefit Assessment Act of 1982 (Chapter 6.4 (commencing with Section 54703) of the Government Code), the Integrated Financing District Act (Chapter 1.5 (commencing with Section 53175) of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code), the Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act of 1982 (Chapter 2.5 (commencing with Section 53311) of Part 1 of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code), and the Marks-Roos Local Bond Pooling Act of 1985 (Article 4 (commencing with Section 6584) of Chapter 5 of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code). (b) Sections 5116, 5117, 5118, 5119, 5190, 5191, 5192, 5193, 10104, and 10302 of the Streets and Highways Code shall not apply to assessment proceedings undertaken pursuant to this section. (c) Notwithstanding the related provisions of any assessment act which the district is authorized to use, any assessment diagram which any of those acts requires to be prepared prior to final approval of the assessment district may show only the exterior boundaries of the assessment district and the boundaries of any assessment zones or improvement areas within the district. The diagram may refer to the county assessor's maps and records for a detailed description of each lot or parcel. (d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the district may levy and collect assessments and reassessments in the same manner as provided in Article 3 (commencing with Section 51320) of Chapter 2 of Part 7 of Division 15 of the Water Code, to pay any or all of the following: (1) For the operation and maintenance of projects, including maintenance of lands, easements, rights-of-way, dredge material disposal areas, and remediation. (2) For the satisfaction of liabilities arising from projects. (3) To accumulate a fund which may be used to advance the cost of district projects, provided that the advances be repaid, with interest as determined by the commissioners, from assessments, reassessments, special taxes, or fees charged by the district pursuant to this section. (4) To acquire real property, easements, or rights-of-way for a navigation project or the maintenance of a navigation project. (5) To acquire real property within the district for the disposal of dredged material. (e) For purposes of this section, functions designated by Article 3 (commencing with Section 51320) of Chapter 2 of Part 7 of Division 15 of the Water Code to be performed by the board of supervisors, the board of trustees, or valuation commissioners shall be performed by the district's board. (f) For purposes of this section, the board may order the creation of a separate assessment roll to pay the allowable expenses of any single project or any group or system of projects. (g) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all assessments, reassessments, and taxes levied by the district may be collected together with, and not separately from, taxes for county purposes. Any county in which the district is located may collect, at the request of the district, all assessments, reassessments, and special taxes levied by the district and shall cause those revenues to be deposited into the county treasury to the credit of the district. Each county may deduct its reasonable collection and administrative costs. (h) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any assessment or reassessment levied pursuant to this section may be apportioned on the basis of land use category, tonnage shipped on the waterway, size and type of vessel using the waterway, front footage, acreage, capital improvements, or other reasonable basis, separately or in combination, as determined by the district commissioners. (i) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, Division 4 (commencing with Section 2800) of the Streets and Highways Code shall not apply to any assessment levied by the district. (j) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no bond issued pursuant to this section shall be used to fund the routine maintenance dredging of channels. 5905. All claims for money or damages against the district are governed by Part 3 (commencing with Section 900) and Part 4 (commencing with Section 940) of Division 3.6 of Title 1 of the Government Code except as provided therein, or by other statutes or regulations expressly applicable thereto. 5910. Any harbor improvement district organized and existing pursuant to Part 2 (commencing with Section 5800) of Division 8 may improve, develop, protect, and maintain any or all harbors within its boundaries in accordance with the procedure, and in the manner provided, in this chapter and in the Public Contract Code, except that nothing in this chapter or in the Public Contract Code affects state-owned tidelands and submerged lands or the jurisdiction of the State Lands Commission over tidelands and submerged lands. 5911. The board of supervisors of any county in which the district is situated may direct the harbor commission, appointed pursuant to Section 5902 of this part, to prepare surveys for the improvement, development or protection of any harbor or harbors within the district, prepare plans therefor and estimates of cost thereof, and to report to the board of supervisors thereon, with its recommendations covering the necessity, advantages and benefits to be derived by the improvement, development or protection of such harbor or harbors. 5912. Upon receiving the report and recommendation of the harbor commission, the board shall fix a date for hearing on the report to consider and determine the feasibility of the project or projects submitted. The hearing shall be held not more than thirty (30) days nor less than twenty (20) days after the filing of the report, and the board shall cause notice of the fact that the report has been filed and of the date fixed for the hearing to be published by at least two (2) publications in a newspaper published within the district. 5913. The hearing, investigation, determination and findings of the board of supervisors shall be conducted and made in accordance with the provisions of Sections 5835 to 5841, inclusive, of this part, which sections are incorporated herein to the extent that they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter. 5914. Upon final hearing, if the board finds that the harbor or harbors can be improved, developed and protected as generally described in the report and recommendation of the harbor commission at a cost not disproportionate to the benefits to be derived from the proposed project, the board may order the development, improvement or protection of the harbor or harbors in accordance with its findings. 5915. For the purpose of financing the improvement, development, protection and maintenance of such additional harbor or harbors, the board may issue bonds, borrow money, incur indebtedness and levy taxes, all in the same manner and to the same extent as in the improvement, development, protection and maintenance of the harbor for which the district was originally formed, and shall in all other respects have the same powers and duties with respect to the improvement, development, protection and maintenance of such additional harbor or harbors as it has with respect to the original harbor for which the district was formed. The board may issue no bonds hereunder unless the incurring of the bonded indebtedness for the improvement, development, protection and maintenance of such additional harbor or harbors shall first have been approved at an election held in the manner provided in Article 3, Chapter 1, Part 2 of Division 8 of this code, and pursuant to the provisions of said article with reference to the incurring of bonded indebtedness. 5940. Any harbor improvement district organized and existing pursuant to this part may purchase, lease or obtain by gift lands for public beaches located within the boundaries of the district and may hold, improve or maintain such lands. Any and all such acquisition, improvement or maintenance as is authorized herein shall be accomplished and carried out in accordance with the procedure and in the manner hereinafter provided in this chapter, except that nothing in this chapter shall affect state-owned tidelands and submerged lands or the jurisdiction of the State Lands Commission over tidelands and submerged lands. 5941. The board of supervisors of any county in which a district is situated may direct the harbor commission, appointed pursuant to Section 5902, to prepare surveys for the acquisition, improvement or maintenance of such lands as is herein authorized, prepare plans therefor and estimates of cost thereof, and to report to the board of supervisors thereon, with its recommendations covering the necessity, advantages and benefits to be derived by the acquisition, improvement or maintenance of such lands as public beaches. 5942. Upon receiving the report and recommendation of the harbor commission, the board shall fix a date for hearing on the report to consider and determine the feasibility of the project or projects submitted. The hearing shall be held not more than 30 days nor less than 20 days after the filing of the report, and the board shall cause notice of the fact that the report has been filed and of the date fixed for the hearing to be published by at least two publications in a newspaper published within the district. 5943. The hearing, investigation, determination and findings of the board of supervisors shall be conducted and made in accordance with the provisions of Sections 5835 to 5841, inclusive, of the Harbors and Navigations Code which sections are incorporated herein to the extent that they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter. 5944. Upon final hearing, if the board finds that the lands considered in the commission's report can be acquired, improved or maintained as generally described in the report and recommendation of the harbor commission at a cost not disproportionate to the benefits to be derived from the proposed project, the board may order the acquisition, improvement or maintenance of the lands considered in the commission's report in accordance with the board's findings. 5945. For the purpose of financing the acquisition, improvement or maintenance of such lands as is authorized herein, the board may issue bonds, borrow money, incur indebtedness and levy taxes, all in the same manner and to the same extent as in the improvement, development, protection or maintenance of the harbor for which the district was originally formed, and shall in all other respects have the same general powers and duties with respect to the acquisition, improvement or maintenance of such lands as it has with respect to the original harbor for which the district was formed. The board may issue no bonds hereunder unless the incurring of the bonded indebtedness for the acquisition, improvement or maintenance of such lands shall first have been approved at an election held in the manner provided in Article 3, (commencing with Section 5859) Chapter 1, Part 2, Division 8 of this code, and pursuant to the provisions of that article with reference to the incurring of bonded indebtedness. 5950. The board of supervisors may manage the business of the district and promote the commercial interest of the harbor by advertisement of its advantages and by the solicitation of business within or without the district, in other states, or in foreign countries, through employees or agencies as are expedient, and it may organize, promote, conduct, and advertise programs of community recreation and the advantages of the district's park and recreational facilities. Nothing in this section authorizes revenues derived from tide and submerged lands granted in trust by the state to a district, or from lands acquired with those trust revenues, to be used by the district for any purpose other than for proper trust purposes on the granted lands, or for the acquisition, improvement, and maintenance of property adjacent to the granted lands when the property is necessary to further the purposes of the trust grant. 5950.1. The term "inland parks and recreation areas," as used in this chapter, includes, but is not limited to, open-space land, as defined by the provisions of subdivision (b) of Section 65560 of the Government Code, except that such term shall not include open-space land, as defined in paragraph (2) of such subdivision. The provisions of Section 5900.4 shall not apply to the acquisition of forest lands, rangeland, or agricultural lands when the acquisition is for the purpose of establishing hiking, bicycling, or equestrian trails or where the lands are being acquired for their scenic or aesthetic values. 5950.5. The board of supervisors of any harbor improvement district organized and existing pursuant to Part 2 (commencing with Section 5800) may authorize the district to acquire, develop, operate, and maintain inland parks and recreation areas pursuant to this chapter. 5951. If the district is authorized to acquire, develop, operate, and maintain inland parks and recreation areas, the board of supervisors shall, by resolution, adopt a new name for the district which will reflect its new duties and responsibilities. 5952. If the district is authorized to acquire, develop, operate, and maintain inland parks and recreation areas, at least 75 percent of its annual expenditures shall be devoted to that purpose until such time as the total expenditure of district and county funds for land, structures, and improvements which is used for inland park and recreation purposes shall have equaled the total expenditure of district and county funds for land, structures, and improvements which is used for beach and harbor purposes. Thereafter, the district shall devote at least 50 percent of its annual expenditures averaged over each five-year period for inland park and recreation purposes. 5953. For the purpose of determining the annual expenditures required by Section 5952, only such expenditures for land, structures, and improvements as are raised by local taxation within the district shall be included and the district shall be both charged and credited with the expenditures for land, structures, and improvements made by the county in which the district is located, both for beach and harbor purposes and for inland park and recreational purposes. Within 90 days after the effective date of this section, the auditor-controller of the county in which the district is located shall report to the board of supervisors the moneys raised by local taxation for land, structures, and improvements by the district and by the county for beach and harbor purposes and inland park and recreational purposes. The future annual expenditures, at the ratio set forth in Section 5952, shall be for those expenditures paid from funds raised by the levy of taxes by the district. 5954. In acquiring, developing, operating, or maintaining inland parks and recreaton areas, the district shall follow and comply with, as nearly as possible, the procedures provided in Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 5940) of this part in regard to the acquisition, improvement, or maintenance of lands for public beaches. 5955. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 5940 to 5954, inclusive, the district may acquire, develop, operate, or maintain public beaches or inland parks and recreation areas without holding the hearings and making the findings required by such provisions if there is compliance with Section 21151 of the Public Resources Code and Section 65402 of the Government Code; provided, however, that the board of supervisors shall hold at least one public hearing prior to the approval of any such project. Harbor improvement district funds may be expended prior to the public hearing for the purpose of obtaining compliance with Section 21151 of the Public Resources Code and Section 65402 of the Government Code. 5956. The district may purchase, collect, trade, exchange, or otherwise acquire exhibition or study material necessary or proper for the use of museums or exhibits maintained by the district, and may sell, lend, or exchange the material, according to the established custom of museums.