BILL ANALYSIS Ó ----------------------------------------------------------------- | | | SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER | | Senator Fran Pavley, Chair | | 2013-2014 Regular Session | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------- 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." 1 "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. 2 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 3