BILL NUMBER: AB 2351	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Chesbro

                        FEBRUARY 19, 2010

   An act to amend Sections 4652 and 4799.13 of the Public Resources
Code, relating to forest resources.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2351, as introduced, Chesbro. Forest resources: demonstration
state forests: campgrounds: user fees.
   Existing law authorizes money in the Forest Resources Improvement
Fund (fund) to be expended, upon appropriation by the Legislature,
for the cost of operations associated with the management of state
lands operated as demonstration state forests by the Department of
Forestry and Fire Protection. Existing law requires, among other
things, that receipts from the sales of forest products be deposited
on a monthly basis with the State Treasurer in the fund.
   This bill would authorize the department to collect recreational
user fees for overnight camping and reserved group activities on a
demonstration state forest. The bill would allow the department to
charge a fee in the amount that would reimburse the department's
costs related to maintaining and improving, among other things,
campground facilities. The bill would require the fees to be
deposited into the fund.
   This bill would make other, conforming changes.
   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.  Section 4652 of the Public Resources Code is amended to
read:
   4652.   Receipts   (a)    
The department may collect recreational user fees for overnight
camping and reserved group activities on a demonstration state
forest. The de   partment may charge a fee that does exceed
the amount necessary to reimburse the department's costs for
maintenance and improvement of campground facilities, associated
recreational facilities, natural environment, and access thereto.
 
   (b) All recreational user fees received by the department during
each fiscal year shall be deposited into the Forest Resources
Improvement Fund and shall be used, upon appropriation by the
Legislature, to reimburse the department's cost of maintaining and
improving the campground facilities, associated recreational
facilities, natural environment, and access thereto. 
    (c)     Receipts  from the sales of
forest products  and recreational user fees  shall be
deposited monthly with the State Treasurer in the Forest Resources
Improvement Fund. The Controller shall keep a record of accounts of
such receipts separately.
  SEC. 2.  Section 4799.13 of the Public Resources Code is amended to
read:
   4799.13.  (a) There is hereby created in the State Treasury, the
Forest Resources Improvement Fund. The money in the Forest Resources
Improvement Fund may only be expended, upon appropriation by the
Legislature, for the cost of operations associated with management of
lands held in trust by the state and operated as demonstration state
forests by the department pursuant to Section 4646, including
restoration activities  , and to reimburse the department's cost
of maintaining and improving the campground facilities, associated
recreational facilities, natural environment   ,  
and access thereto, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 4652 
.
   (b) The Forest Resources Improvement Fund shall be the depository
for all revenue derived from the repayment of loans made or interest
received pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 4790),
 and  the receipts from the sale of forest products,
as defined in Section 4638, from the state forests to support the
operations described in subdivision (a)  , and revenue received
from recreational user fees, pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section
4652  . Money in the fund in excess of the amount needed to
support those operations shall be deposited in the General Fund.
   (c) The director may accept grants and donations of equipment,
seedlings, labor, materials, or funds from any source for the purpose
of supporting or facilitating activities undertaken pursuant to this
part. Any funds received shall be deposited by the director in the
Forest Resources Improvement Fund.
   (d) Each proposed expenditure by the department of money from the
Forest Resources Improvement Fund shall be included as a separate
item and scheduled individually in the Budget Bill for each fiscal
year for consideration by the Legislature. These appropriations shall
be subject to all of the limitations contained in the Budget Bill
and to all other fiscal procedures prescribed by law with respect to
the expenditure of state funds.