Parks Funding Plan Approved by Budget Subcommittee

SACRAMENTO – The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Resources this afternoon approved by a vote of 4-1 the proposal by Assembly Budget Committee Chair John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) to provide sustainable funding for California’s chronically under-funded and under-staffed state parks.  Under the proposal, Californians would receive free year-round access to parks in exchange for a once-a-year vehicle registration surcharge of $10.

The proposal will be heard next in the Budget Conference Committee, which is expected to begin in early June.

About the “State Park Access Pass” Proposal

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 and beaches. 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