BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER
Senator Fran Pavley, Chair
2015 - 2016 Regular
Bill No: AB 240 Hearing Date: June 23,
2015
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|Author: |Wilk | | |
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|Version: |March 16, 2015 Amended |
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|Urgency: |No |Fiscal: |Yes |
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|Consultant:|Katharine Moore |
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Subject: Department of Parks and Recreation: free day use
entry.
BACKGROUND AND EXISTING LAW
Existing law establishes the California State Park system (state
parks) and vests the Department of Parks and Recreation
(department) with control of the approximately 280 state parks
and responsibility for administering, protecting, developing and
interpreting state parks for the use and enjoyment of the
public.
Existing law includes legislative findings that present funding
for state parks has been significantly below the level necessary
to fulfill the mission of state parks. The department has been
charged with increasing revenues at state parks. The recently
announced "Transformation Team" at state parks includes revenue
generation among its top priorities.
Existing law requires the department to issue a park pass for
free use of all park facilities in state parks to an
honorably-discharged 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 50% service-related
disability, proof of being held captive as a prisoner of war, or
proof of being a recipient of a Congressional Medal of Honor, as
specified (Public Resources Code (PRC) §5011.5). This
Distinguished Veteran Pass is a lifetime pass.
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Existing law also authorizes the department to grant veterans,
current active duty or reserve military personnel for the United
States (US) Armed Forces or the National Guard of any state,
free or reduced price entrance to specifically identified state
parks on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, as specified (PRC
§5011.6, added by AB 150 (Olson, c. 688, Statutes of 2013)).
Existing law authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles to
issue specialized vehicle license plates for certain veterans
and, in one instance, family members of members of the US Armed
Forces, as specified. These "special recognition" license plates
require proof of eligibility and include, as provided:
survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor, recipients of certain
outstanding service awards and medals of honor, former prisoners
of war, Purple Heart recipients (veterans wounded in the line of
duty), and Gold Star Families (surviving family members of a
member of the US Armed Forces killed in the line of active
duty).
PROPOSED LAW
This bill would expand the free use of state parks by eligible
veterans, members of the US Armed Forces and their families to
include free entry to any state park unit by a registered motor
vehicle that has been issued specialized license plates by the
Department of Motor Vehicles under the following programs, as
specified:
Ï Pearl Harbor Survivor,
Ï Legion of Valor,
Ï former Prisoner of War,
Ï Congressional Medal of Honor,
Ï Purple Heart Veteran, or
Ï Gold Star Family.
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT
According to the author, AB 240 is designed to give back to our
military war heroes who have achieved the highest honors by
risking their lives in the line of duty to protect the freedom
of our country. Our state's veterans deserve to be honored for
their service to the United States. AB 240 is a step in the
right direction which recognizes the bravery these soldiers
exemplified. This measure is aimed to allow free day entrance
to those vehicles that have already received a military
recognition place (which is only awarded to those who have been
identified for their incredible sacrifice in connection to their
AB 240 (Wilk) Page 3
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military service.)"
The author continues by citing a recent survey that touted the
add-on economic benefits from state park visits, as well as
surrounding communities and further notes that AB 240 "serves an
important role to those veterans who use nature as a therapeutic
remedy; AB 240 would allow those veterans to take advantage of
our beautiful state parks to do so."
ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION
None received.
COMMENTS
Legion of Valor . The Legion of Valor plate is for recipients of
the Army, Navy or Air Force Medal of Honor, Army Distinguished
Service Cross, and Navy or Air Force Cross.
Honoring distinguished veterans and Gold Star Families . This
Committee has repeatedly voted to honor distinguished veterans
and members of the US Armed Forces by reducing or eliminating
fees for activities at state parks as well as, for example, the
Department of Fish and Wildlife (see the two recent Harman bills
noted below), among others. In most instances, the benefit is
provided to the servicemember/former servicemember, although
family and friends may also indirectly benefit (e.g. if
accompanying a holder of the Distinguished Veteran pass using
boat facilities in state parks). In this bill, the benefit is
associated with the registered motor vehicle with the special
recognition plates. The eligible recipient of the plates need
not be present to receive the benefit, and, as provided in the
Vehicle Code, surviving spouses and, for Gold Star families,
certain surviving family members may continue to use the special
plates after the death of the recipient. That said, this bill
is aligned with current practice in state parks which is to
assess a parking fee per motor vehicle, not per person.
According to the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee
analysis, this bill may potentially provide administrative
relief to the department if those eligible for both the
Distinguished Veteran pass and the special recognition plates
apply for the plate only.
Recent special recognition license plate data . According to the
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Assembly Appropriations Committee analysis, there are currently
issued: 628 Gold Star Family, 7,481 Purple Heart, 241 Pearl
Harbor and 55 Legion of Valor plates.
Recent related legislation
AB 150 (Olson, c. 688, Statutes of 2013). This bill allowed
state parks to offer free or reduced rate entry to select parks
for veterans and members of active and reserve US Armed forces
on Veterans and Memorial Days, as specified.
AB 315 (Committee on Veteran's Affairs, 2013). This bill would
have made Purple Heart recipients eligible to use all facilities
at state parks for free. (held on the Senate Appropriations
Suspense file.)
SB 1287 (Harman, c. 409, Statutes of 2012). This bill provides
for reduced fee sport fishing licenses to active military
personnel who are recovering service members, as defined.
SB 1288 (Harman, c. 410, Statutes of 2012). This bill provides
for the reduced fee hunting license for military personnel who
are recovering service members, as defined.
AB 257 (Anderson, c. 129, Statutes of 2007). This bill
eliminated the $3.50 fee for the Distinguished Veteran Pass.
AB 1561 (Committee on Veteran Affairs, c. 499, Statutes of
2008). This bill decreased the percent disability eligibility
requirement from 70% to 50% for the Distinguished Veteran Pass.
SUPPORT
AMVETS - Department of California
American Gold Star Mothers - Golden Gate Chapter
American Legion - Department of California
California Association of County Veteran Service Officers
California Military Officer Association of America
California State Parks Foundation
Veterans of Foreign Wars - Department of California
Vietnam Veterans of America - California State Council
Ventura County Board of Supervisors
3 individuals (descendants of John Muir)
OPPOSITION
None Received
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