BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  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