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                    
           
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          |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
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          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
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           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 


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