BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 34
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 17, 2013
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 34 (Hernandez) - As Amended: April 3, 2013
Policy Committee: Water Parks and
Wildlife Vote: 10-5
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill establishes Nuestra Senora Reina de La Paz (La Paz) in
Kern County as a state historical landmark. This bill also
requires the State Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) to:
1)Provide public outreach and education regarding the nomination
process for listing in the California Register of Historical
Resources (California Register), especially those associated
with the labor movement, civil rights movement and the state's
modern history;
2)Identify and recommend at least five resources associated with
the labor movement, civil rights movement, and the state's
modern history, to the State Historical Resources Commission
(Commission) for inclusion in the California Register.
FISCAL EFFECT
Minor absorbable administrative costs to the Department of Parks
and Recreation.
COMMENTS
1)Rationale . The bill declares there to be a general deficit
of sites and resources listed in California's Register
associated with California's modern day history and civil
rights. Currently, no sites in Kern County associated with
the farmworker movement are listed as California Historical
Landmarks in the California Register.
AB 34
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This bill recognizes the national significance of the
farmworker movement in Kern County by statutorily declaring La
Paz a California Historical Landmark. This bill also attempts
to broaden the types of future state designations by requiring
the OHP to conduct public outreach and provide education
regarding the nomination process, especially for resources
associated with the labor movement, the civil rights movement
and the state's modern history.
2)Nuestra Senora Reina de La Paz . This 187-acre farm east of
Bakersfield in Kern County housed quarry workers and then
became a tuberculosis sanatorium until 1967. In 1970, the
National Farm Worker Service Center Inc. acquired the
property. Shortly after, the headquarters of the United Farm
Workers of America and the personal residence of farmworker
and civil rights leader Cesar Chavez were located at La Paz.
Today, the site includes Chavez' home, his grave and memorial
garden, a visitor center and the United Farm Workers legal aid
offices.
In 2011, La Paz was listed on the National Register of
Historic Places which automatically resulted in listing on the
California Register as a California Historical Point of
Interest. California Historical Points of Interest are
similar to California Historical Landmarks, but they are
primarily of local significance. In 2012, President Obama
dedicated a portion of La Paz as the Cesar E. Chavez National
Monument in in 2012.
Although La Paz is recognized and listed as an historical
resource at both the state and national levels, it is not
currently listed as a California Historical Landmark and
specifically recognized by our state for its national
significance.
3)The Nomination Process . Nomination for listing as a
California Historical Landmark typically begins by a member of
the public completing an application, providing written
consent from the property owner, and sending the completed
packet to the Office of Historic Preservation. OHP refers the
application to the Commission with recommendations and a
comment period and public hearing process ensues. The
Commission makes a final recommendation to the Director of
California State Parks for final approval and listing.
AB 34
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This bill bypasses the nomination process.
Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)
319-2081