AB 315, as introduced, Committee on Veterans Affairs. State parks: veteran of war: Purple Heart recipient.
Existing law requires the Department of Parks and Recreation to issue a park pass for use of all park facilities in the state park system to a veteran of war in which the United States has been, or may be, engaged who is a resident of this state, who presents to the department proof of a disability, proof of being held captive as a prisoner of war, or proof of being a recipient of a Congressional Medal of Honor, as provided.
This bill would make the recipient of a Purple Heart eligible for the pass.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
Section 5011.5 of the Public Resources Code is
2amended to read:
(a) A veteran of a war in which the United States has
4been, or may be engaged, who is a resident of this state, upon
5presentation to the department of proof of disability, proof of being
6held captive as a prisoner of war, or proof of being a recipient of
P2 1a Congressional Medal of Honorbegin insert or a Purple Heartend insert, and proof of
2an honorable discharge from service, upon application therefor,
3shall be issued a pass entitling the bearer to the use of all facilities,
4including boat launching facilities, in units of the state park system.
5(b) As used in this section:
6(1) “Veteran” means a former member of the Armed Forces of
7the United States who has a 50 percent or greater service-connected
8disability, or who was held as a prisoner of war by forces hostile
9to the United States, as certified by the United States Department
10of Veterans Affairs, and who was honorably discharged from
11service.
12(2) “War” means that period of time commencing when
13Congress declares war or when the Armed Forces of the United
14States are engaged in active military operations against a foreign
15power, whether or not war has been formally declared, and ending
16upon the termination of hostilities as proclaimed by the President
17of the United States.
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