BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  SB 386
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   August 17, 2011

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                Felipe Fuentes, Chair

                    SB 386 (Harman) - As Amended:  June 30, 2011 

          Policy Committee:                             Water, Parks and 
          Wildlife     Vote:                            10-2

          Urgency:     Yes                  State Mandated Local Program: 
          No     Reimbursable:              No

           SUMMARY  

          This bill requires the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) 
          to post on its website, at least 30 days prior to DPR's planned 
          closing of a unit of the state park system, its intention to 
          close all or a significant portion of a state park unit, the 
          approximate dates of the closure, and how to contact the 
          department in writing to enter into negotiations to lease, 
          operate, maintain or provide concessions at the unit proposed 
          for closure.  The bill also requires DPR to respond in writing 
          to inquiries described above.

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          Minor, absorbable annual costs to DPR.  (Special fund.)

           COMMENTS  

           1)Rationale  .  The author contends the information this bill 
            requires DPR to publish will help avoid closure of at least 
            some units of the state park system currently scheduled for 
            closure, because local officials, nonprofit organizations, 
            private entities and others will be more aware of and possibly 
            able to do something to avoid park closure.

           2)Background.   The 2011-12 Budget Act includes a $22 million 
            General Fund reduction to DPR's budget.  The administration 
            anticipates closing 70 of the 278 park units in the state park 
            system. DPR displays on its website a map of park units 
            scheduled for closure.

            Current law authorizes DPR to allow a county or city to 
            operate a state park unit.  The department has done so in the 







                                                                  SB 386
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            past and is actively seeking public and private partners to 
            operate state park units scheduled for closure.  

           3)Related Legislation.
             
              a)   AB 42 (Huffman)  authorizes DPR to enter into an 
               operating agreement with a qualified nonprofit organization 
               to prevent closing a state park unit.  The bill passed the 
               Assembly 75-1 and is pending action before the Senate 
               Appropriations Committee.

              b)   SB 356 (Blakeslee)  requires DPR to notify local 
               government so it may consider taking over park operation 
               and maintenance.   The bill passed the Senate 39-0 and is 
               pending action before this committee.

           Analysis Prepared by  :    Jay Dickenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081