Division of Boating and Waterways Law Enforcement Equipment Grant Program FY25

The Boating Safety and Enforcement Equipment (BSEE) Grant Program is administered by the California Department of Parks and Recreation's Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW). This program is designed to enhance public safety on California's waterways by providing financial assistance to local government agencies for the acquisition of equipment specifically used for boating law enforcement and safety. The program is a key component of DBW’s broader mandate to ensure recreational boating is conducted in a safe and responsible manner across the state. The BSEE Grant targets local government agencies with demonstrated needs for marine patrol and boating enforcement equipment. This includes law enforcement patrol boats, personal watercraft (PWC), engines (new, repowered, or replacement), and search and rescue equipment. Agencies that primarily enforce boating laws and maintain marine safety are prioritized. Funding covers up to 100% of eligible costs, contingent upon the portion of time the requested equipment will be used exclusively for boating safety and enforcement activities. The grant cycle for fiscal year 2026–2027 officially opens on March 16, 2026, and closes on April 30, 2026, at 3:00 PM PDT. To support applicants, DBW will host a virtual informational workshop on March 24, 2026, during which staff will explain the application process, evaluation criteria, and tips for submitting a competitive proposal. Interested attendees are advised to contact Johanna Naughton at [email protected] for access to the session. Prior workshop recordings are also available via the online grant application system. Applications are submitted through the Online Grant Application (OLGA) portal, which also houses additional guidance, instructional webinars, and scoring rubrics. While the specific evaluation metrics are not detailed in the summary, the program does use a formal scoring matrix to assess submissions. Eligible applicants should review the rubric in advance to align their proposals with DBW’s criteria and expectations. Once the application window closes, DBW proceeds with reviewing submissions and selecting awardees. The grant operates on an annual cycle, with recipients announced after the evaluation period concludes. Prior awardee lists for the 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 cycles are published online, providing transparency and examples for potential applicants. The reimbursement-based structure means grantees must initially procure and deploy the approved equipment, then seek reimbursement in accordance with grant terms. For technical and grant-related queries, the primary point of contact is Johanna Naughton, Grants and Loans Unit, available via email at [email protected] or by phone at (916) 902-8795. The BSEE Grant Program exemplifies the state’s commitment to safe and effective water-based recreation by equipping local agencies with the tools they need to maintain order and respond efficiently to incidents on California’s waterways.

Review the scoring rubric carefully; attend the workshop to strengthen application quality.