BILL NUMBER: AB 42INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Huffman DECEMBER 6, 2010 An act relating to state parks. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 42, as introduced, Huffman. State parks. Existing law gives control of the state park system to the Department of Recreation. This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to address the need to fully fund the state park system with stable, reliable, and adequate funding sources. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) The California state park system is a unique resource that requires preservation and protection for future generations. (b) California's state park system is the largest in the nation and contains over 1.5 million acres of land managed for natural, cultural, and historical values in 278 parks across the state. (c) California's state park system hosts more than 80 million visitors annually and houses over 3,100 historic buildings and more than 14,000 individual and group campsites. (d) California's state park system is a major draw for tourism in the state and generates over $4 billion annually in economic activity in communities near state parks and in park related expenditures. (e) The budget for the state park system has not kept pace with the state's population growth and growing demand. The annual budget for state parks has been significantly below the amount necessary to maintain the parks in their current condition. The ongoing shortfall has caused a burgeoning backlog of deferred maintenance of over $1.3 billion in 2010, inadequate staff to protect park resources and maintain public access and safety, and partial closures of many state parks. (f) Californians deserve a world-class state park system that will preserve and protect the unique resources of the state for future generations. (g) It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to address the need to fully fund the state park system with stable, reliable, and adequate funding sources.