Bill Text: CA AB42 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: State parks.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-3)

Status: (Passed) 2011-10-04 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 450, Statutes of 2011. [AB42 Detail]

Download: California-2011-AB42-Introduced.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 42	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Huffman

                        DECEMBER 6, 2010

   An act relating to state parks.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 42, as introduced, Huffman. State parks.
   Existing law gives control of the state park system to the
Department of Recreation.
   This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to address
the need to fully fund the state park system with stable, reliable,
and adequate funding sources.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) The California state park system is a unique resource that
requires preservation and protection for future generations.
   (b) California's state park system is the largest in the nation
and contains over 1.5 million acres of land managed for natural,
cultural, and historical values in 278 parks across the state.
   (c) California's state park system hosts more than 80 million
visitors annually and houses over 3,100 historic buildings and more
than 14,000 individual and group campsites.
   (d) California's state park system is a major draw for tourism in
the state and generates over $4 billion annually in economic activity
in communities near state parks and in park related expenditures.
   (e) The budget for the state park system has not kept pace with
the state's population growth and growing demand. The annual budget
for state parks has been significantly below the amount necessary to
maintain the parks in their current condition. The ongoing shortfall
has caused a burgeoning backlog of deferred maintenance of over $1.3
billion in 2010, inadequate staff to protect park resources and
maintain public access and safety, and partial closures of many state
parks.
   (f) Californians deserve a world-class state park system that will
preserve and protect the unique resources of the state for future
generations.
   (g) It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to
address the need to fully fund the state park system with stable,
reliable, and adequate funding sources.