BILL ANALYSIS Ó SB 386 Page 1 Date of Hearing: August 17, 2011 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Felipe Fuentes, Chair SB 386 (Harman) - As Amended: June 30, 2011 Policy Committee: Water, Parks and Wildlife Vote: 10-2 Urgency: Yes State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No SUMMARY This bill requires the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to post on its website, at least 30 days prior to DPR's planned closing of a unit of the state park system, its intention to close all or a significant portion of a state park unit, the approximate dates of the closure, and how to contact the department in writing to enter into negotiations to lease, operate, maintain or provide concessions at the unit proposed for closure. The bill also requires DPR to respond in writing to inquiries described above. FISCAL EFFECT Minor, absorbable annual costs to DPR. (Special fund.) COMMENTS 1)Rationale . The author contends the information this bill requires DPR to publish will help avoid closure of at least some units of the state park system currently scheduled for closure, because local officials, nonprofit organizations, private entities and others will be more aware of and possibly able to do something to avoid park closure. 2)Background. The 2011-12 Budget Act includes a $22 million General Fund reduction to DPR's budget. The administration anticipates closing 70 of the 278 park units in the state park system. DPR displays on its website a map of park units scheduled for closure. Current law authorizes DPR to allow a county or city to operate a state park unit. The department has done so in the SB 386 Page 2 past and is actively seeking public and private partners to operate state park units scheduled for closure. 3)Related Legislation. a) AB 42 (Huffman) authorizes DPR to enter into an operating agreement with a qualified nonprofit organization to prevent closing a state park unit. The bill passed the Assembly 75-1 and is pending action before the Senate Appropriations Committee. b) SB 356 (Blakeslee) requires DPR to notify local government so it may consider taking over park operation and maintenance. The bill passed the Senate 39-0 and is pending action before this committee. Analysis Prepared by : Jay Dickenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081