BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 836
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Date of Hearing: May 20, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB
836 (Rendon) - As Amended April 15, 2015
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|Policy |Business and Professions |Vote:|12 - 1 |
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| |Arts, Entertainment, Sports, | |5 - 2 |
| |Tourism, and Internet Media | | |
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill would establish the California Tour Guide Act and
provide for the certification and regulation of tour guides by
the California Travel and Tourism Commission (Commission).
AB 836
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Requires tour guides providing tours to multiple sites in
California to have adequate training and knowledge, and pass a
criminal background check. Requires the Commission to provide a
list of certified tour guides to individuals seeking to hire a
tour guide in California upon request.
FISCAL EFFECT:
1)One-time cost of $250,000 (GF) for the Commission to establish
and implement a tour guide certification program.
2)On-going costs of $550,000 (GF), including six positions, to
run the program. This may be partially or fully offset in
future years by fees charged to cover the costs of the
program.
3)Costs to the Department of Justice (DOJ) of up to $150,000
(Fingerprint Fees Account) to process the anticipated
fingerprint submissions for background checks. The Bureau of
Labor Statistics indicates there are 3,060 tour guides
employed in California.
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. According to the author, "Every year, California
attracts millions of tourists from all around the world. Many
come on or take organized tours with tour guides. In order
for these tour passengers to get the most out of their visit
and return to the Golden State, it is necessary to ensure that
their tour guides have knowledge of California's history,
culture and sights, as well as knowledge of safe tour guiding
practices."
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2)Background. According to the California Travel Association,
the travel industry generated $106.4 billion in revenue from
visitors and contributes to $6.6 billion in state and local
taxes in 2012. The revenue stream is predicted to grow to
over $135.6 million by 2016. In 2013, California hosted
nearly 16 million international visitors and it is forecasted
to grow at over 5% per year through 2016. To support this
volume of visitors, the travel and tourism industry maintains
over 950,000 jobs.
The tour guide market is unregulated in California, and thus,
any individual, regardless of training or knowledge about
California's history, culture, and special interests, can be
hired as a tour guide. Tour guides can work independently or
with a tour guide company, and operate in various venues
throughout California including local attractions, historical
buildings, and museums.
The California Travel and Tourism Commission, known as Visit
California, is non-profit mutual benefit corporation formed in
1998 to market California as a desirable tourist destination.
Visit California works in close coordination with California's
Division of Tourism which oversees the assessment program that
helps to fund these initiatives. The budget for California's
tourism marketing is funded by investors in five industry
segments (Accommodations, Attractions, Passenger Car Rental,
Restaurants & Retail, and Travel Services). The primary
mission of the Commission is to promote travel to and within
California.
The Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development
(GO-Biz) Director serves as chairperson of the organization.
The 37-member Visit California Commission comprises
individuals from all 12 regions of California with
representation from all five industry segments. The Commission
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meets three times a year and directs and approves the
marketing plan, expenditures and the overall strategic course
for California tourism.
Analysis Prepared by:Jennifer Swenson / APPR. / (916)
319-2081