BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 150
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 2, 2013
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON WATER, PARKS AND WILDLIFE
Anthony Rendon, Chair
AB 150 (Olsen) - As Amended: March 13, 2013
SUBJECT : State parks: armed services: fee waiver
SUMMARY : Establishes free park passes on Memorial Day and
Veterans Day for service members and veterans of the Armed
Forces. Specifically, this bill :
1)Entitles California residents who are active duty military
personnel for the Armed Forces to free use of state parks on
Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
2)Entitles California residents who are honorably discharged
veterans of a war to free day use of state parks on Memorial
Day and Veterans Day.
EXISTING LAW
1)Establishes the California State Park system and vests DPR
with control of the state park system and responsibility for
administering, protecting, developing, and interpreting state
parks for the use and enjoyment of the public. Requires DPR
to protect the state park system from damage and to preserve
the peace therein.
2)Includes legislative findings that present funding for state
parks has been significantly below the level necessary to
fulfill the mission of the California State Park system.
Requires that DPR develop a prioritized action plan to
increase revenues and collection of user fees at state parks.
3)Entitles California residents to passes for use of all DPR
operated units if such residents are honorably discharged U.S.
veterans of war and establish proof of one of the following:
having a 50 percent or greater service-connected disability,
having been held as a prisoner of war, or having received the
Congressional Medal of Honor. DPR administers the resulting
Distinguished Veteran Pass program.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
AB 150
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COMMENTS :
Author's Statement : The author states, "Every member of the
military, both retired and active, should have free access to
our state parks on holidays commemorating their service and
valor." The author states that this bill is a "small way to
show our appreciation for their service and sacrifice, while
giving them access to enjoy our state's beautiful natural
resources."
Related Legislation : In the current legislative session, the
Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee has introduced AB 315, which
proposes to extend free pass eligibility to Purple Heart
recipients. AB 531 (Frazier) would require that the Department
of Motor Vehicles provide veterans with the opportunity to
establish veteran status and to thereby have "VETERAN" printed
on their state-issued driver's licenses or identification cards.
Support Arguments : The California State Parks Foundation
supports this bill's recognition of veterans and active duty
military personnel and views this bill as "a first step toward
increasing access for Californians." Sierra Club California
states that this bill will increase access to the State Parks
System and will "bring further appreciation for our natural
resources and environmental protection." State and national
veterans groups have registered support for this bill, which
they view as providing "our brave men and women who have and are
serving the chance to enjoy our state parks on the holidays
dedicated to honor our heroes." One individual whose
grandfather served in World War II supports this bill's
recognition of veterans' national service and states that this
bill will provide opportunities for military families to share
memorable experiences at state parks.
Suggested Amendments : In keeping with the author's intent to
extend free park access to all veterans on Memorial Day and
Veterans Day, and in order to improve the administration of the
resulting program, the Committee may wish to amend the proposed
language for Public Resources Code section 5011.6 to read:
Notwithstanding Section 5011.5, a veteran of
a war in which the United States has been,
or may be, engaged as defined in Military
and Veterans Code section 980 who was
honorably discharged from service , or
AB 150
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current active duty military personnel for
the United States Armed Forces, shall be
entitled to day use of any unit of the state
park system on Memorial Day and Veterans Day
if both of the following conditions are met:
(a) The veteran of war can provide proof of
honorable discharge or general discharge
under honorable conditions, or the active
duty military personnel can provide current
military identification.
(b) The veteran of war or active duty
military personnel resides in California.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
American Legion, Department of California
AMVETS, Department of California
California Association of County Veterans Service Officers
California State Commanders Veterans Council
California State Parks Foundation
One Individual
Sierra Club California
VFW, Department of California
Vietnam Veterans of America, California State Council
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Steve Westhoff / W., P. & W. / (916)
319-2096