BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SB 633
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Date of Hearing: August 6, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
SB 633 (Pavley) - As Amended: August 4, 2014
Policy Committee: Natural
ResourcesVote:n/r
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR)
to report to the Legislature on various activities relating to
revenue generation, costs savings, transparency and the
promotion of state parks. This bill also establishes a mobile
vendor pilot program and requires DPR to hold public hearings to
select "projects of the year." Specifically, this bill requires
DPR to :
1)List the California Park and Recreation Commission as a
separate line-item in the annual budget.
2)Establish a public process to select one or more annual
projects to receive funding from the revenues received from
the State Parks Protection Fund/Parks Pass Purchase program,
and post information about the selection process and the
chosen projects on its internet website.
3)Prepare a report to identify its energy costs, projects to
reduce energy costs, and potential energy-related
infrastructure projects to be funded from AB 32 cap-and-trade
revenue.
4)Establish a pilot program for mobile food and beverage
services and report to the Legislature as specified. Expands
DPR contracting authority to include mobile or transitory
concession contracts as specified.
5)Establish two or more regional passes to allow visitors
entrance into more than one park in the region for one fee.
SB 633
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FISCAL EFFECT
Additional GF costs to DPR to establish mobile food and beverage
pilot projects of up to $170,000 annually for 3 years. All
other costs are minor and absorbable.
COMMENTS
1)Purpose. According to the author, ongoing efforts by the
Parks Forward Commission, the State Parks and Recreation
Commission, and DPR to develop a secure financial base through
the increased use of pilot projects, the sale of specialized
or regional passes, and other reforms are providing early
signs of success. This bill strengthens those efforts.
2)Background. The California state park system includes 280
state park units. In 2013, the Parks Forward Commission was
appointed to conduct a year-long process to make
recommendations to address the financial, operational, and
cultural challenges necessary for long-term system viability.
A final report is anticipated by the end of 2014.
The California State Park and Recreation Commission was
created in 1927. The Commission has specific authorities and
responsibilities, which include the approval of general plans
for park units, classifying and naming park units,
establishing general policies for the administration,
protection and development of the system, and recommending a
comprehensive recreation policy for the state.
3)State Parks Protection Fund/Parks Pass Purchase. As a
component of the California State Park Stewardship Act of 2012
(AB 1589, Chapter 533), the California State Parks Protection
Fund was established to provide California taxpayers the
opportunity to purchase a California State Parks 150 Years
Commemorative Vehicle Use Annual Pass via their state income
tax return and to designate a portion of their state tax
refund for a voluntary contribution to support the
preservation of state parks. Taxpayers can make a charitable
contribution deduction for any amount deposited into the
California State Parks Protection Fund in excess of the price
of the State Park Annual Pass received, for the year in which
the voluntary contribution is made. This program generated
$396,921 in 2013 and $287,547 in 2014.
SB 633
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Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)
319-2081