Laird State Parks Plan Proposes Full Funding, Free Access

SACRAMENTO – Assembly Budget Committee Chair John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) today proposed sustainable solution to funding California’s chronically under-funded and under-staffed state parks. Under the proposal, which will be considered through the state budget process, Californians would receive free year-round access to parks in exchange for a once-a-year vehicle registration surcharge of $10.

"Even in the face of crumbling facilities and reduced service, demand for California's state parks is growing," said Assembly Budget Committee Chair John Laird (D-Santa Cruz). "California is expected to add 10 million more residents in the next 25 years. So we need a solution that will meet today's demand and tomorrow's growth."

"State Park Access Pass"

State Parks are funded annually with $150 million from the General Fund but need an additional $240 million to operate at a successful program level and reduce the deferred maintenance backlog.

A $10 annual surcharge called the "State Park Access Pass" would be assessed on all vehicles except trailers and those commercial vehicles subject to the CVRA fee. In exchange, all California registered vehicles would get free day use access to state parks. This fee would raise approximately $282 million in revenue and would provide funds for the following:

• $40 million to backfill loss of entrance fees at gate receipts
• $120 million increase for maintenance
• $60 million increase for operations and public safety
• $62 million to reduce deferred maintenance deficit – may be bonded against

"Because the state can't afford the staffing, Californians are being denied access to parklands they voted to acquire. Education, maintenance, law enforcement and public safety have all been cut well beyond the level of service the public expects and should receive," continued Laird. "This proposal, which has strong public support, restores our parks and gets us ready for the future."