BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 150
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 16, 2013
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS
Al Muratsuchi, Chair
AB 150 (Olsen) - As Amended: April 3, 2013
SUBJECT : State parks: armed services: fee waiver
SUMMARY : Gives free day-use privileges at state parks to
veterans and active duty servicemembers. Specifically, this
bill :
1)Grants a veteran, as defined in Section 980 of the Military
and Veterans Code and active duty or reserve military
personnel for the United States Armed Forces, including the
National Guard of any state, to day use of any unit of the
state park system on Memorial Day and Veterans Day if the
following conditions are met:
a) The veteran can provide current military identification,
or proof of discharge under conditions other than
dishonorable or bad conduct, and
b) Active duty, reserve, and National Guard military
personnel can provide current military identification.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Establishes the California State Park system and vests the
California Department of Parks and Recreation (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:
AB 150
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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 at this time.
COMMENTS :
According to the Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife:
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.
According to the Author:
Every member of the military both retired and active should
have free access to our state parks on holidays
commemorating their service and valor?.This 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.
Even though our state and our park system are operating in an
austere economic climate, this measure still seems like a
worthwhile, meaningful gesture to recognize current and former
military members on the days when our country is honoring them
with a holiday. Moreover, although it is somewhat beyond the
scope of this analysis, in addition to honoring military members
and veterans and facilitating military and veteran families'
visits to our parks, this measure, through increased tourism,
AB 150
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might also provide some economic benefit to the communities
where the parks are located.
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.
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
Sierra Club California
VFW, Department of California
Vietnam Veterans of America, California State Council
Rural County Representatives of California
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : John Spangler / V. A. / (916) 319-3550