BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 315
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 315 (Veterans Affairs Committee)
As Introduced February 12, 2013
Majority vote
WATER, PARKS & WILDLIFE 15-0 VETERANS
AFFAIRS 10-0
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|Ayes:|Rendon, Bigelow, Allen, |Ayes:|Muratsuchi, Ch�vez, |
| |Blumenfield, Bocanegra, | |Atkins, Brown, Eggman, |
| |Dahle, Fong, Frazier, | |Fox, Grove, Melendez, |
| |Beth Gaines, Gatto, | |Salas, Yamada |
| |Gomez, Gray, Patterson, | | |
| |Yamada, Bloom | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | | | |
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APPROPRIATIONS 17-0
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|Ayes:|Gatto, Harkey, Bigelow, | | |
| |Bocanegra, Bradford, Ian | | |
| |Calderon, Campos, | | |
| |Donnelly, Eggman, Gomez, | | |
| |Hall, Ammiano, Linder, | | |
| |Pan, Quirk, Wagner, Weber | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Expands eligibility for the state parks Distinguished
Veterans Pass. Specifically, this bill adds Purple Heart
recipients to those veterans who are eligible for a
Distinguished Veterans Pass, which entitles the holder to free
use of all state park units 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.
AB 315
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2)Entitles California residents who are honorably discharged
U.S. veterans of war to obtain a free pass for use of all DPR
operated state park units if the veteran can 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 : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee analysis, unknown revenue loss, potentially in excess
of $1 million, to DPR. Assuming an annual revenue loss of $350
per pass, and assuming this bill results in an additional 5,000
to 10,000 passes issued, annual revenue loss would be in the
$1.75 to $3.5 million range. Increased administrative costs to
process the Distinguished Veteran Pass application are also
anticipated.
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. The author has introduced this bill in order to extend
the Distinguished Veteran Pass to all veterans who have been
wounded in combat, regardless of their ultimate disability
rating.
The Distinguished Veterans Pass allows the bearer to use all
basic facilities (including day use and camping) in California
state park units operated by DPR at no charge. It is not valid
at units operated by local government, private agencies or
concessionaires. It is not valid for group use or sites, special
events, commercial use, or for supplemental fees, and cannot be
used in conjunction with any other pass and/or discount.
Related legislation introduced this session includes AB 150
(Olsen), which 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.
It is unclear how many additional veterans will become eligible
for the Distinguished Veteran Pass due to the inclusion of
Purple Heart recipients. As a result of being wounded, many
AB 315
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Purple Heart recipients are already eligible for the
Distinguished Veteran Pass due to resulting disability. However,
according to the author, this bill seeks to recognize the
sacrifice of all those who put themselves in harm's way for our
Nation and were wounded, regardless of their ultimate disability
rating, and is a way to show gratitude to all veterans who have
been wounded in combat.
Analysis Prepared by : Diane Colborn/ W., P. & W. / (916)
319-2096
FN: 0000805