BILL NUMBER: AB 315	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Committee on Veterans Affairs

                        FEBRUARY 12, 2013

   An act to amend Section 5011.5 of the Public Resources Code,
relating to state parks.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   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 1.  Section 5011.5 of the Public Resources Code is amended
to read:
   5011.5.  (a) A veteran of a war in which the United States has
been, or may be engaged, who is a resident of this state, upon
presentation to the department of proof of disability, proof of being
held captive as a prisoner of war, or proof of being a recipient of
a Congressional Medal of Honor  or a Purple Heart  , and
proof of an honorable discharge from service, upon application
therefor, shall be issued a pass entitling the bearer to the use of
all facilities, including boat launching facilities, in units of the
state park system.
   (b) As used in this section:
   (1) "Veteran" means a former member of the Armed Forces of the
United States who has a 50 percent or greater service-connected
disability, or who was held as a prisoner of war by forces hostile to
the United States, as certified by the United States Department of
Veterans Affairs, and who was honorably discharged from service.
   (2) "War" means that period of time commencing when Congress
declares war or when the Armed Forces of the United States are
engaged in active military operations against a foreign power,
whether or not war has been formally declared, and ending upon the
termination of hostilities as proclaimed by the President of the
United States.