BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 315
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Date of Hearing: April 2, 2013
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON WATER, PARKS AND WILDLIFE
Anthony Rendon, Chair
AB 315 (Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs) - As
Introduced: February 12, 2013
SUBJECT : State parks: veteran of war: Purple Heart recipient
SUMMARY : Extends to all Purple Heart recipients eligibility
for free passes to use all facilities operated by the Department
of Parks and Recreation (DPR).
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. Requires DPR
to protect the state park system from damage and to preserve
the peace therein.
2)Includes legislative findings that present funding for state
parks has been significantly below the amount necessary to
fulfill the mission of the California State Park system.
Requires that DPR develop a prioritized action plan to
increase revenues and collection of user fees at state parks.
3)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 : Unknown
COMMENTS : The Purple Heart is a U.S. military decoration awarded
in the name of the President to those who, while serving with
the U.S. military on or after April 5, 1917, have been wounded
or killed in any action against an enemy of the U.S., or as a
result of an act of any such enemy or opposing armed forces.
Author's Statement : Author states that this bill is intended to
AB 315
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extend the Distinguished Veteran Pass to "all veterans who have
been wounded in combat," "regardless of their ultimate
disability rating."
Related Legislation : In this legislative session, AB 150 (Olsen)
proposes to provide both honorably discharged veterans and
active duty service members with free day use of California
State Parks on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
Issues for the Committee's Consideration : It is unclear how
many additional veterans will become eligible for the
Distinguished Veteran Pass due to the inclusion of Purple Heart
recipients. Background materials provided by the author state
that most recipients of the Purple Heart already qualify for the
pass by virtue of having a 50 percent or more service-related
disability.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
AMVETS, Department of California
California Association of County Veterans Service Officers
California State Commanders Veterans Council
VFW, Department of California
Vietnam Veterans of America, California State Council
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Steve Westhoff / W., P. & W. / (916)
319-2096