BILL NUMBER: SB 207 INTRODUCED
BILL TEXT
INTRODUCED BY Senator Padilla
(Principal coauthor: Senator Torlakson)
(Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Ma)
(Coauthor: Senator Ducheny)
(Coauthor: Assembly Member Bass)
FEBRUARY 8, 2007
An act to add Part 5 (commencing with Section 71400) to Division
34 of the Public Resources Code, relating to parks and recreation.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 207, as introduced, Padilla. Parks and recreation: Outdoor
Education and Recreation Program.
Existing law establishes the Office of Education and Environment
in the Integrated Waste Management Board for the purpose of
implementing a statewide environmental education program.
This bill would establish the Outdoor Education and Recreation
Program, to be administered by the Director of Parks and Recreation
(director), for the purpose of increasing the ability of underserved
and at-risk populations to participate in outdoor activities and
educational experiences by awarding grants to formal school programs
and informal public education programs. The bill would create the
Outdoor Education and Recreation Fund in the State Treasury that,
upon appropriation by the Legislature, would be used for awarding
grants pursuant to the program. The bill would authorize the director
to accept for, and require the director to deposit in, the fund
voluntary private donations made for support of the program. The bill
would express the Legislature's intent that the fund be capitalized
with moneys from the General Fund and donations.
The bill would require the director to develop program components,
including, but not limited to, criteria for awarding grants, and
staffing and budget needs. The bill would require the California
Environmental Education Interagency Network to serve as an advisor to
the director in developing the program components. The bill would
require the director to give priority for funding, where feasible, to
outdoor environmental education programs with specified attributes.
The bill would require the director to submit, by January 1, 2009, to
the Governor and the Legislature a report and recommendation for the
implementation of the program.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
(a) The California Environmental Education Interagency Network
(CEEIN) was established in 1993 as a consortium of environmental
educators representing departments, boards, and commissions of the
State Department of Education, the California Environmental
Protection Agency, the Resources Agency, and the Department of Food
and Agriculture. The primary goals of CEEIN are to develop a unified
response to the environmental education needs of California's
educators and local governments, and to assist with the statewide
educational reform movements.
(b) The Legislature enacted Chapter 663 of the Statutes of 2003,
which established the Outdoor Environmental Education Program and
required a study on the benefits of outdoor environmental education
for at-risk youth and underserved demographic groups. The study found
that the science test scores of children who participated in these
programs were raised by 27 percent, and these children also had
improved conflict resolution and problem solving skills, self-esteem,
and motivation to learn. This program ended on January 1, 2006.
(c) The Legislature enacted Resolution Chapter 101 of the Statutes
of 2006, which recognized the importance of local recreation and
park agencies in the effort to reverse negative trends in inactivity,
obesity, diabetes, and other health problems among Californians and
encouraged the state to utilize and partner with local recreation and
park providers to create a healthier state.
SEC. 2. Part 5 (commencing with Section 71400) is added to
Division 34 of the Public Resources Code, to read:
PART 5. OUTDOOR EDUCATION AND RECREATION
71400. As used in this part, the following terms mean the
following:
(a) "Director" means the Director of Parks and Recreation.
(b) "Fund" means the Outdoor Education and Recreation Fund
established pursuant to Section 71402.
(c) "Program" means the Outdoor Education and Recreation Program
established pursuant to Section 71401.
71401. There is hereby established the Outdoor Education and
Recreation Program in the Department of Parks and Recreation for the
purpose of increasing the ability of underserved and at-risk
populations to participate in outdoor activities and educational
experiences by awarding grants to formal school programs and informal
public education programs.
71402. (a) There is hereby established the Outdoor Education and
Recreation Fund in the State Treasury that, upon appropriation by the
Legislature, shall be used for awarding grants to qualified outdoor
environmental education programs pursuant to this part.
(b) It is intended that the fund be capitalized with moneys from
the General Fund and from donations accepted by the director pursuant
to Section 71404.
(c) The Controller shall transfer from the General Fund to the
fund the amount appropriated from the General Fund by the Legislature
for each fiscal year for the implementation of the program.
71403. The director shall do all of the following:
(a) Administer the program to ensure that priority is given to
underserved populations, including both urban and rural areas and
low-income communities where participation in an outdoor education
program has been limited.
(b) (1) Develop the components of the program and fund, including,
but not limited to, criteria for awarding grants, and staffing and
budget needs.
(2) The California Environmental Education Interagency Network
(CEEIN) shall serve as advisor to the director in developing the
program components.
(3) In developing the criteria for awarding grant moneys, the
director shall give priority for funding, where feasible, to outdoor
environmental education programs that have the following attributes:
(A) Serves primarily at-risk youth and underserved demographic
groups.
(B) Is a partnership between public and private entities.
(C) Contributes to healthy lifestyles, including sound nutrition
and outdoor exercise.
(D) Maximizes the number of participants that can be served.
(E) Commits in-kind resources to the outdoor environmental
education program.
(F) Has a curriculum that is aligned to the science content
standards for California public schools adopted by the State Board of
Education, fosters stewardship of the environment, and includes,
when available, curriculum established pursuant to Chapter 663 of the
Statutes of 2003.
(G) Includes service learning and community outreach components
for the purpose of building partnerships between participants and
local communities.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 7550.5 of the Government Code, submit,
on or before January 1, 2009, a report and recommendation to the
Governor and the Legislature on the implementation of the program.
71404. The director may accept and shall deposit into the fund
voluntary private donations made for the support of the program.