BILL ANALYSIS �
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
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|Ayes:|Rendon, Bigelow, Allen, |Ayes:|Muratsuchi, Ch�vez, |
| |Blumenfield, Bocanegra, | |Atkins, Brown, Eggman, |
| |Dahle, Fong, Frazier, | |Fox, Grove, Melendez, |
| |Beth Gaines, Gatto, | |Salas, Yamada |
| |Gomez, Gray, Patterson, | | |
| |Yamada, Bloom | | |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | | | |
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APPROPRIATIONS 17-0
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|Ayes:|Gatto, Harkey, Bigelow, | | |
| |Bocanegra, Bradford, Ian | | |
| |Calderon, Campos, | | |
| |Donnelly, Eggman, Gomez, | | |
| |Hall, Ammiano, Linder, | | |
| |Pan, Quirk, Wagner, Weber | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | | | |
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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