BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 64
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ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 64 (Jeffries)
As Amended April 11, 2011
Majority vote
WATER, PARKS & WILDLIFE 7-6
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|Ayes:|Huffman, Halderman, Bill | | |
| |Berryhill, Fong, Gatto, | | |
| |Jones, Olsen | | |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
|Nays:|Blumenfield, Campos, | | |
| |Roger Hernández, Hueso, | | |
| |Lara, Yamada | | |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : States legislative intent that the Department of Parks
and Recreation (DPR) seek to negotiate operating agreements with
local governments as a means of minimizing the number of state
parks that may otherwise be subject to closure as a result of
state budget reductions. Specifically, this bill :
1)States legislative findings and declarations that DPR may be
closing state parks across the state as a result of state
budget reductions, and that intergovernmental partnerships,
including operating agreements with local governments, is one
tool that can assist the state in keeping parks open and
accessible to the public.
2)States that it is the intent of the Legislature, in light of
budget challenges facing the state, to encourage DPR to
actively seek to negotiate operating agreements with local
governments throughout the state who have an interest and
capacity to assist the state in operating a state park, in
order to minimize the number of state parks that could
otherwise be subject to closure.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Gives DPR control of the state park system. Requires DPR to
prepare general plans for operation of state park units, and
to submit the plans to the State Park and Recreation
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Commission for approval. Requires DPR to administer, protect,
develop and interpret properties under its jurisdiction for
the use and enjoyment of the public.
2)Requires the State Park and Recreation Commission to classify
units of the state park system and to approve general plans
for state park units.
3)Authorizes DPR to enter into operating agreements with local
governments and other public agencies for operation of state
parks.
FISCAL EFFECT : None
COMMENTS : As originally proposed, this bill would have mandated
DPR to enter into an operating agreement with the City of
Riverside to operate the California Citrus State Historic Park.
As amended in the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee,
this bill instead makes legislative findings and declarations
regarding the impact of state budget reductions on state parks
generally, the anticipated need to close state parks throughout
the state, and the value of intergovernmental partnerships as
one tool which may assist the state in keeping parks open and
accessible to the public where feasible. This bill further
states that it is the intent of the Legislature to encourage DPR
to negotiate operating agreements with local governments, where
ever they may be located in the state, who have an interest in
and capacity to assist the state in operating a state park, to
minimize the number of state parks that could otherwise be
subject to closure.
The Legislature and Governor took action earlier this year to
reduce DPR's budget by $11 million in the 2011-12 fiscal year
and by another $11 million in the following fiscal year, for an
ongoing annual General Fund budget reduction to state parks of
$22 million. According to DPR, these budget cuts will
necessitate the closure of a significant number of state parks
throughout the state. A list of parks proposed for closure has
been anticipated from the Administration but has not yet been
publicly released.
Existing law authorizes DPR to enter into operating agreements
with local governments and other public entities for the care,
maintenance and administration of state park lands for the
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purpose of the state park system. DPR currently has in effect
over 20 operating agreements with local governments to manage
state parks. The imminent threat of state park closures has
prompted renewed interest in the merits of expanding creative
partnerships, including both intergovernmental and
public/private partnerships, to assist the state in operating
state park units, in the hopes that the number of parks required
to close may be minimized.
Analysis Prepared by : Diane Colborn / W., P. & W. / (916)
319-2096
FN: 0000316