Legislative Agenda
The California State Parks Foundation closely monitors legislation, takes positions on issues and actively lobbies for and against legislation that would impact California's state parks. The following bills have been identified as priority bills by the Foundation.
2007-2008 California Legislative Session Priority Bills
AB 31 (De Leon) Neighborhood Park and Recreation Revitalization Act of 2007. (4/10/2007 html pdf)
Status: 5/16/2007 in the Assembly Appropriations Suspense File
Summary: Existing local park programs have provided a foundation for creating and improving local park and recreation opportunities. Yet gaps in park access and equitable distribution of funding persist. This bill provides a starting point for ensuring equity and increasing access to local parks and recreation resources.
CSPF Position: Support
AB 576 (Carter) Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park: proximity to animal feeding operations. (04/24/2007 html pdf)
Status: 04/25/2007-Assembly Third Reading.
Summary: Protects the unique resources of Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park from the construction of mega-dairies adjacent to the park.
CSPF Position: Support
AB 838 (Blakeslee) Parks and recreations: easements.(2/22/2007 html pdf)
Status: 5/16/2007 in the Assembly Appropriations Suspense File
Summary: Allows the Department of Parks and Recreation to purchase or make grants for conservation easements. The use of conservation easements in this regard can be a cost-effective way to extend protection to existing park lands. Currently, state parks are being threatened by a multitude of projects that are proposing incompatible activities or non-mission use projects on or near state parks. By working with willing landowners whose property is adjacent to or near state parks, conservation easements will provide a new tool to ensure appropriate stewardship and buffers on nearby lands.
CSPF Position: Support
AB 985 (Saldana) Environment: judicial review. (2/22/2007 html pdf)
Status: 05/14/2007 Re-referred to Assembly Committee on Appropriations by unanimous consent.
Summary: The California Environmental Quality Act provides that in an action or proceeding against the Public Utilities Commission pursuant to the act the writ of mandate may only be filed with the Supreme Court of California. The Warren-Alquist State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Act provides that judicial review of decisions of the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission on applications for certification of a power facility and related facility are subject to judicial review by the Supreme Court of California. This bill would, additionally, provide jurisdiction in these instances to a court of appeal. The bill would specify the venue in the Court of Appeal for a petition or judicial review.
AB 1426 (Wolk) Parks and nature education facilities: Central Valley Vision. (2/23/2007 html pdf)
Status: 04/25/2007 referred to Assembly Appropriations suspense file.
Summary: Requires the State Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) to implement the "Central Valley Vision," a comprehensive plan for increasing state parks and recreational opportunities in California's Central Valley.
CSPF Position: Support
AB 1457(Huffman) Parks and recreation: state parks: roads. (2/23/2007 html pdf)
Status: 2 Year Bill in Assembly Water, Parks & Wildlife Committee.
Summary: Preserves the integrity of California's state park system by creating a consistent policy that protects state parks from damaging road development projects.
CSPF Position: Support
SB 157(Wiggins) Tribal gaming: compact ratification. (1/30/2007 html pdf)
Status: 04/24/2007 to Senate Committee on Rules.
Summary: Ratifies tribal-state gaming compacts entered into on September 9, 2005, between the State of California and the Big Lagoon Rancheria, and between the State of California and the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeno Indians. By ratifying this compact, three state parks will be protected from impact caused by construction of new casino and other developments.
CSPF Position: Support
SB 207(Padilla) Parks and recreation: Outdoor Environmental Education and Recreation Program. (4/10/2007 html pdf)
Status: 04/23/2007 Placed on Senate Appropriations Suspense file
Summary: Creates the Outdoor Environmental Education and Recreation Fund in the State Treasury that, upon appropriation by the Legislature, would be used for awarding grants pursuant to the program. The bill would express the Legislature's intent that the fund be capitalized with moneys from the General Fund and donations.
CSPF Position: Support
SB 404(Kehoe) California Wilderness Act. (4/10/2007 html pdf)
Status: 05/17/2007-In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
Summary: Ensures that the public's voice is heard and taken into consideration before any decision is made that would result in the de-designation of important state wilderness areas within state parks.
CSPF Position: Support
SB 421(Ducheny) Department of Parks and Recreation: acquisition of property. (2/21/2007 html pdf)
Status: 05/17/2007-In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
Summary: Authorizes the Department of Parks and Recreation to acquire, by donation or purchase, real property that is subject to a conservation easement, deed restriction, or other limitation, if the director of the department determines that the conservation easement, deed restriction, or other limitation is consistent with and promotes the purposes for which the property is to be acquired.
CSPF Position: Support |
