BILL ANALYSIS �
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| SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER |
| Senator Fran Pavley, Chair |
| 2013-2014 Regular Session |
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BILL NO: AB 150 HEARING DATE: June 25, 2013
AUTHOR: Olsen URGENCY: No
VERSION: May 24, 2013 CONSULTANT: Leonardo Scherer
Alves
DUAL REFERRAL: No FISCAL: Yes
SUBJECT: State parks: armed services: fee waiver
BACKGROUND AND EXISTING LAW
Under current law (Public Resources Code (PRC �5011.5), a war
veteran who meets specified criteria can apply for and be issued
a pass (the "Distinguished Veterans" pass) to use all facilities
of the state park system. These criteria include:
California residency
Proof of disability, being held captive as a prisoner of
war, or being a recipient of a Congressional Medal of
Honor,
Proof of a honorable discharge from service, and
Qualification as a "veteran"
A veteran, as currently defined, must be an honorably-discharged
former member of the Armed Forces of the United States and has a
50 percent or greater service-connected disability or was a
prisoner of war to take advantage of these benefits.
PROPOSED LAW
This bill would allow any active duty or reserve military
personnel or any veteran of any of the United States Armed
Forces or the National Guard of any state meeting certain
criteria to receive a day pass to a state-operated state park,
as specified, on Memorial Day and Veterans Day free of charge.
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT
According to the author, "AB 150 will honor current military
soldiers and veterans discharged under conditions other than
dishonorable or bad conduct [by] our country by providing free
admission to California's state parks on both Memorial Day and
Veteran's Day."
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"This 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."
The California State Parks Foundation states, "all Californians
deserve low-cost access to their state parks. [?] Providing free
access for veterans and active military personnel on dedicated
days in California is a first step toward increasing access for
Californians, and recognizes the contributions of military
personnel and families."
COMMENTS
Discounted passes are not unusual. In addition to veterans,
state parks operated by the state offer discounted access passes
to the disabled, those receiving qualifying aid and seniors.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife also offers reduced or no
fee fishing and hunting licenses to recovering military
personnel, disabled veterans and other qualified persons.
Any state. This bill extends the fee waiver to National Guard
members of any state, as well as active military personnel.
Existing law, as noted above, limits discounts to California
residents.
Veterans and Memorial Day are very popular . The Assembly
Appropriations Committee analysis points out that the two
holidays specified in AB 150 are among the most popular days for
visiting state parks which adds to the potential fiscal impacts
on the already financially-challenged state park system.
Related Legislation
AB 315 (Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs, 2013) would add
Purple Heart recipients to those eligible for the Distinguished
Veterans pass for state parks (before the Senate Natural
Resources and Water Committee)
SB 1287 and SB 1288 (Harman, 2012) reduced fees on fishing and
hunting licenses, respectively, to active military personnel who
are recovering service members (c. 409 and c. 410, Statutes of
2012).
AB 257 (Anderson, c. 129, Statutes of 2007) eliminated the
reduced $3.50 fee requirement for state park passes for veterans
and extended eligibility to veterans who received the
Congressional Medal of Honor.
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AB 1651 (Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs, c. 499,
Statutes of 2000) decreased from 70 percent to the current level
of 50 percent disability eligibility requirement for the
Distinguished Veterans pass.
SUPPORT
American Legion-Department of California
AMVETS-Department of California
California Association of County Veterans Service Officers
California State Commanders Veterans Council
California State Parks Foundation
National Guard Association of California
Rural County Representatives of California
Sierra Club California
VFW- Department of California
Vietnam Veterans of America- California State Council
4 Individuals
OPPOSITION
None on file
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