BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                      



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          |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE            |                   SB 356|
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                                 THIRD READING


          Bill No:  SB 356
          Author:   Blakeslee (R)
          Amended:  5/31/11
          Vote:     21

           
           SENATE NAT. RESOURCES AND WATER COMMITTEE  :  9-0, 4/26/11
          AYES:  Pavley, La Malfa, Cannella, Evans, Fuller, Kehoe, 
            Padilla, Simitian, Wolk

           SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE  :  9-0, 5/26/11
          AYES:  Kehoe, Walters, Alquist, Emmerson, Lieu, Pavley, 
            Price, Runner, Steinberg


           SUBJECT  :    State parks:  local operating agreements

           SOURCE  :     Author


           DIGEST  :    This bill requires the Department of Parks and 
          Recreation to enter into negotiations for an operating 
          agreement with the city or county in which a state park is 
          planned for closure, and states that funding will not be 
          provided to a city or county to subsidized operation and 
          maintenance costs.

           ANALYSIS  :    

          Existing law

          1. Authorizes the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) 
             to enter into agreements with any agency of the United 
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             States or any city, county, district, or other public 
             agency for the care, maintenance, administration, and 
             control by a party to the agreement, of lands under the 
             jurisdiction of any party to the agreement for purposes 
             of the state park system.

          2. Prohibits an operating agreement to be entered into or 
             amended, unless, among other things, the Legislature has 
             reviewed the lease or agreement, or amendment, as part 
             of the annual budget process.

          This bill requires DPR to notify both the county and the 
          city in which a state park is planned for closure, with no 
          planned public access.  If either the county or the city 
          wishes to enter into an agreement to operate the state 
          park, DPR is required to negotiate an operating agreement 
          with the county or city.  Under any agreement, the county 
          or city is required to operate the park consistent with the 
          park's general plan, DPR approves any changes in use or 
          capital expenditures for the park, and the local government 
          is authorized to work with other local governments for the 
          operation of the park.  State's funding shall not be 
          provided to a county or city to subsidize the cost of 
          operation or maintaining the unit.

           Background
           
          Section 5002.2 of the Public Resources Code requires DPR to 
          develop a general plan for each state park unit.  The 
          general plan is meant to serve as the guide for future 
          development, management, and operation of the park unit and 
          must have elements regarding proposed land uses, 
          facilities, concessions, operations, and resource 
          management.  The general plan for each park unit must be 
          approved by the State Park and Recreation Commission.

          Article 1 (commencing with Section 5080.30) allows DPR to 
          enter into an agreement with federal or local public 
          agencies for the care, maintenance, administration, and 
          control of any state parks.  Any park unit subject to such 
          an operating agreement must have a general plan that 
          specifically addresses how the unit is to be operated.  The 
          commission must determine that, according to the general 
          plan, the unit will be operated in a manner that is 







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          consistent with DPR's management of similar parks, provides 
          for satisfactory park resource management, and enhances the 
          general public use and enjoyment of recreational and 
          educational experiences at the unit.  The public agency 
          must use revenues received at the park unit for the 
          operation, maintenance, or improvement of that park unit.  
          Any excess revenues must be given to DPR.

           FISCAL EFFECT  :    Appropriation:  No   Fiscal Com.:  Yes   
          Local:  No

          According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:

                          Fiscal Impact (in thousands)

           Major Provisions               2011-12     2012-13     2013-14    
                 Fund  

          Negotiation with    Up to $1,000 in -one-time costs         
                   General
              local governmentsafter 2012

          Note:  The above figures apply to the 5/3/11 version of the 
          bill as it passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on 
          5/26/11.

           SUPPORT  :   (Verified  5/27/11)

          City of Morro Bay
          Doreen Farr, County of Santa Barbara Supervisor, 3rd 
          District
          Economic Vitality Corporation of San Luis Obispo County
          Joni Gray, county of Santa Barbara Supervisor, 4thdistrict
          Lompoc Housing and Community Development Corporation
          Salud Carbjal, County of Santa Barbara Supervisor, 1st 
          District


           ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT  :    According to the author, 
          "California state parks generate value revenue for our 
          local communities.   If the state cannot keep parks open, 
          local stakeholders deserve the change to work together to 
          protect the jobs, economic activity, and recreational 
          opportunities offered by our local parks."







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          CTW:do  5/31/11   Senate Floor Analyses 

                         SUPPORT/OPPOSITION:  SEE ABOVE

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