CPRS Legislative Updates:
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
CPRS seeks public policy conditions that are favorable for your professional success and for the advancement of parks and recreation services to all Californians. Through the CPRS Legislative Committee, we constantly work towards these goals:
• Member concerns are heard by legislators in the creation of relevant public policies that affect parks and recreation
• Members are informed of proposed public policies of substantial importance to the profession

The Legislative Committee is responsible for establishing annual legislative priorities, taking position(s) on proposed legislation, testifying at legislative hearings, communicating to members about CPRS legislative activities, and tracking bills based upon our legislative priorities. In addition to acting as a “committee of the whole,” the Legislative Committee is further divided into two task teams whose responsibilities include:
1. Increasing Legislator Awareness about the mission of parks and recreation by communicating CPRS’ position on bills deemed important by the committee and developing opportunities for members to interact with legislators (either at the home district or while in Sacramento).
2. Increasing Member Knowledge of the political process and the most effective methods to communicate with legislators.

Members are encouraged to join the Legislative Committee at any time. If you are interested in joining, contact either Paul Romero, Legislative Committee Chair at promero-services@sbcglobal.net or Jane H. Adams, CPRS Executive Director, jane@cprs.org or (916) 665-2777.

The next Legislative Committee conference call is scheduled for July 13 from 2-3:30pm. To participate in the call, dial (712) 432-3900 and enter access code #3766298.

STATE BILLS
The Legislative Committee reviews a variety of state bills each month. To obtain more information on any bill, visit the California Legislature website http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html. If you or your agency has any strong feelings on any bills, please contact Jane Adams, jane@cprs.org.

Currently, CPRS SUPPORTS these bills:
AB 231 CA Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (support IF AMENDED)
AB 346 Joint Use School Facilities (support IF AMENDED)
AB 521 Utility Property: Leases for Park Purposes
AB 983 Before and After School Programs
AB 1405 CA Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (support IF AMENDED)
AB 1464 Transportation: CA Bicycle Routes
ACR 8 California Fitness Month
ACA 9 Local Government Bonds
SB 41 CA Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (support IF AMENDED)
SB 372 State Parks System
SB 679 State Parks: Acquired Land

CPRS OPPOSES these bills at this time:
SB 650 Parks: City of Half Moon Bay, appropriation of funding
AB 650 Parks: City of Half Moon Bay, appropriation of funding

Log onto http://www.cprs.org/ltrsample.htm for a sample letter to send to your Legislator.

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS
On June 15, 2009, the Budget Conference Committee voted to eliminate $70 million in General Fund support for the state park system for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. As an additional action, the committee also voted to adopt the State Park Access Pass and develop a dedicated funding source to keep California’s state parks open. The State Park Access Pass would institute a $15 surcharge on vehicle license fees of non-commercial vehicles, in order to provide Californians with free day-use access to state parks, and generate much-needed revenues for the state park system.
“Adopting the State Park Access Pass keeps the doors open to state parks for Californians and for the California economy,” declared Elizabeth Goldstein, CSPF President. “At a time when the state desperately needs to generate revenues for many other critical state services, it makes sense to keep state parks open and available for the public. The Committee recognized that closing state parks won't save money, it will cost the state dearly."
A recent report by California State University, Sacramento found that park users, on average, spent $57.63 per visit. Across the system, this amounts to a more than $4.2 billion in positive economic impacts – impacts that would be lost if state parks are closed under the Governor’s May Revise proposal.
CSPF originally proposed the State Park Access Pass (SPAP) with former Assemblymember John Laird in 2008 as part of the FY 08-09 state budget. The version adopted by the Budget Conference Committee today differs from last year’s proposal in that today’s action adopted a $15 fee, in order to gain permanent General Fund savings of approximately $143 million annually. In exchange for paying the fee, residents driving into state parks with a California license plate would receive free day-use entrance into state parks.
“In these tough times, Californians are choosing high-value, low cost options for spending their financial resources.” said Goldstein. “The State Park Access Pass gives a great return to Californians for a modest annual investment. While we are disappointed that the proposal did not receive unanimous support at the Budget Conference Committee, we believe Californians across the state are enthusiastic about the State Park Access Pass and look forward to strong support from the entire Legislature.”
In terms of next steps, CSPF expects the actions of the Budget Conference Committee to be compiled into a Budget Bill, which will be voted on by both houses of the Legislature. At this time, it is unclear when an actual budget vote will take place. The budget is required to be approved by a 2/3 vote in both houses and signed by the Governor.

GRANTS: PROP 12, 40, 50 & 84
Updated program information will be posted on www.parks.ca.gov/grants as it becomes available. For more info, contact Patti Keating at pkeating@parks.ca.gov or (916) 651-8597.

CPRS DISTRICT IV LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE
Carolyn McDowell
City of Sunnyvale
550 E Remington Drive
Sunnyvale, CA 94088-3707
(408)730-2785
cmcdowell@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us