AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 5, 2025

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

97

Introduced by Assembly Member Bennett

(Coauthors: Assembly Members Caloza, Jeff Gonzalez, and Papan)

February 21, 2025

An act to add Section 5008.9 to the Public Resources Code, relating to state parks.

Vote: majority   Appropriation: no   Fiscal committee: yes   Local program: no

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

Existing law designates all parks, public campgrounds, monument sites, landmark sites, and sites of historical interest established or acquired by the state, or that are under its control, as the state park system, except as specified. Under existing law, the Department of Parks and Recreation controls the state park system, which is made up of units.

This bill would require the Director of Parks and Recreation to establish an Accessibility Advisory Committee that consists of the Chief of the Accessibility Division for the department and additional members appointed by the director, as provided. The bill would require the committee to serve in an advisory capacity to the director and make recommendations for improving the accessibility of units of the state park system for individuals with disabilities. The bill would require the committee to evaluate disability accessibility models and provisions, review services, programs, and activities provided by the department, and provide recommendations on general plans for the department, as provided. The bill would authorize the director to implement the committee’s recommendations as the director deems appropriate.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 5008.9 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:

5008.9.

(a) The director shall establish an Accessibility Advisory Committee. The committee shall serve in an advisory capacity to the director and make recommendations for improving the accessibility of units of the state park system for individuals with disabilities.

(b) The committee shall consist of at least 8 members, but no more than 14 members. The committee’s membership shall include the Chief of the Accessibility Division for the department and, as appointed by the director, no more than two other representatives from the department and other members with demonstrated experience in public accessibility requirements for individuals with disabilities.

(c) The committee shall do all of the following:

(1) Evaluate disability accessibility models and provisions from relevant federal and state park systems.

(2) Review services, programs, and activities provided by the department.

(3) Provide recommendations to the director on drafting and updating general plans for the department, as requested by the director.

(d) The director may implement the committee’s recommendations as the director deems appropriate.

(e) A member shall not receive compensation, but each member shall be reimbursed for the member’s reasonable and necessary expenses in connection with service on the committee.