BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 150 Page 1 ASSEMBLY THIRD READING AB 150 (Olsen) As Amended May 24, 2013 Majority vote WATER, PARKS & WILDLIFE 15-0 VETERANS AFFAIRS 10-0 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Ayes:|Rendon, Bigelow, Allen, |Ayes:|Muratsuchi, Chávez, | | |Blumenfield, Bocanegra, | |Atkins, Brown, Eggman, | | |Dahle, Fong, Frazier, | |Fox, Grove, Melendez, | | |Beth Gaines, Gatto, | |Salas, Yamada | | |Gomez, Gray, Patterson, | | | | |Yamada, Bloom | | | | | | | | |-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------| | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- APPROPRIATIONS 17-0 ----------------------------------------------------------------- |Ayes:|Gatto, Harkey, Bigelow, | | | | |Bocanegra, Bradford, Ian | | | | |Calderon, Campos, | | | | |Donnelly, Eggman, Gomez, | | | | |Hall, Ammiano, Linder, | | | | |Pan, Quirk, Wagner, Weber | | | |-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------| | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY : Entitles veterans and active duty military personnel of the United States Armed Forces or the National Guard, to free day use of California State Parks on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Specifically, this bill : 1)Entitles California residents who are active duty or reserve military personnel for the U.S. Armed Forces or the National Guard, or an honorably discharged veteran of the Armed Services, to free day use of those California state parks that are operated by the state and accessible with a vehicle day use annual pass, on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. AB 150 Page 2 2)Provides that the free day use access to state parks on Memorial Day and Veterans Day shall be provided if the veteran or active duty or reserve military personnel can provide proof of current military identification or proof of discharge under conditions other than dishonorable or bad conduct. 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. 2)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 : According to the Appropriations Committee, unknown revenue loss to DPR. 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 : The author of this bill states that every member of the military, both retired and active, should have free access to California 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. This bill applies only to day use access on these two holidays, and does not apply to camping fees or other park services other than day use. Similar provisions have been implemented by the National Park Service and in other states such as Colorado. AB 150 Page 3 Related legislation pending in the current legislative session includes AB 315, authored by the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee, which proposes to extend eligibility for Distinguished Veteran park passes to Purple Heart recipients. Supporters of this bill emphasize the importance of recognizing veterans and active duty military personnel and note this bill will increase access to the State Parks System, encourage greater attendance at state parks, and enhance appreciation for our natural resources and environmental protection. State and national veterans groups support 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. Analysis Prepared by : Diane Colborn / W., P. & W. / (916) 319-2096 FN: 0000857