BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 150 Page 1 Date of Hearing: May 1, 2013 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Mike Gatto, Chair AB 150 (Olsen) - As Amended: April 11, 2013 Policy Committee: Water, Parks and Wildlife Vote: 10-0 Veteran's Affairs 15-0 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: SUMMARY This bill provides veterans and active duty service men and women free admission to state parks facilities on Memorial Day and Veterans Day holidays. FISCAL EFFECT Unknown revenue loss to DPR, potentially in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The average day-use fee for state parks facilities is $12. Veterans and Memorial Day are the highest revenue generating days. Parks are likely to reach capacity on these popular holidays. To the extent that free admission would reduce the number of paying visitors, DPR would lose revenue under this program. If a combined 20,000 service men and women participate in the free access, assuming the parks are at or near capacity, the revenue loss would exceed $200,000 annually. COMMENTS 1)Purpose. This bill is intended to honor and show appreciation for the service and sacrifice of every member of the military, both retired and active by allowing free access to state parks on holidays commemorating their service and valor. In order to take advantage of the free admission, an individual must show current military identification or proof of discharge under conditions other than dishonorable or for bad conduct. AB 150 Page 2 2)Related Legislation. AB 315 (Veterans Affairs Committee) which extends Distinguished Veterans free pass to state parks eligibility to Purple Heart Recipients is also before this committee today. Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916) 319-2081