CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Joint Resolution No. 9Introduced by Assembly Member WallisApril 03, 2025 Relative to national parks. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAJR 9, as introduced, Wallis. National parks: federal funding.This measure would urge the President of the United States and Congress of the United States to immediately restore full and consistent funding and staffing for the National Park Service.Digest Key Fiscal Committee: NO Bill TextWHEREAS, In 1864, Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant Act, setting aside parkland in California for public use and preservation; andWHEREAS, California is home to nine of the nations most iconic national parks: Channel Islands, Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Kings Canyon, Lassen Volcanic, Pinnacles, Redwood, Sequoia, and Yosemite, which preserve the states unique natural beauty, biodiversity, and cultural heritage; andWHEREAS, The National Park Service manages historical parks, national monuments, national seashores, and recreation areas throughout California, all constituting units of the National Park System and enjoyed by millions of visitors; and WHEREAS, National park sites in California attract millions of visitors annually, contributing significantly to the states economy and fostering appreciation for outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship; and WHEREAS, In 2023, 36,200,000 park visitors spent an estimated $3,200,000,000 in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in California, supporting a total of 39,700 jobs, $2,000,000,000 in labor income, and $5,100,000,000 in economic output in the California economy; andWHEREAS, Recent federal personnel decisions have included the firing of over 1,000 National Park Service employees, including park rangers, a hiring freeze on vacant positions, and the planned closure of park offices, significantly diminishing critical services and operations; andWHEREAS, These decisions have led to the reduction of park hours, the closure of essential facilities, and the inability to adequately address resource management, wildfire prevention, and visitor safety, as demonstrated by camping reservations being suspended in Yosemite due to staffing shortages; andWHEREAS, The federal administrations proposed reduction in force initiative could lead to a 30-percent cut in National Park Service staffing; andWHEREAS, Fully funding and staffing the National Park Service is essential to reversing these challenges, addressing the maintenance backlog, and ensuring the long-term sustainability and accessibility of national parks; andWHEREAS, Investing in national parks aligns with Californias leadership in sustainability, conservation, and innovation, serving as a model for environmental responsibility nationwide; now, therefore, be itResolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature urges the President of the United States and Congress of the United States to immediately restore full and consistent funding and staffing for the National Park Service, including the restoration of positions to protect and enhance the nations irreplaceable natural and cultural heritage; and be it furtherResolved, That the Legislature supports the rehiring of park rangers and staff, enhancement of visitor services, and the continued preservation and protection of Californias and the nations treasured landscapes; and be it furtherResolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States, and to the author for appropriate distribution.
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Joint Resolution No. 9Introduced by Assembly Member WallisApril 03, 2025 Relative to national parks. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAJR 9, as introduced, Wallis. National parks: federal funding.This measure would urge the President of the United States and Congress of the United States to immediately restore full and consistent funding and staffing for the National Park Service.Digest Key Fiscal Committee: NO
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Joint Resolution
No. 9
Introduced by Assembly Member WallisApril 03, 2025
Introduced by Assembly Member Wallis
April 03, 2025
Relative to national parks.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AJR 9, as introduced, Wallis. National parks: federal funding.
This measure would urge the President of the United States and Congress of the United States to immediately restore full and consistent funding and staffing for the National Park Service.
This measure would urge the President of the United States and Congress of the United States to immediately restore full and consistent funding and staffing for the National Park Service.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
WHEREAS, In 1864, Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant Act, setting aside parkland in California for public use and preservation; and
WHEREAS, California is home to nine of the nations most iconic national parks: Channel Islands, Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Kings Canyon, Lassen Volcanic, Pinnacles, Redwood, Sequoia, and Yosemite, which preserve the states unique natural beauty, biodiversity, and cultural heritage; and
WHEREAS, The National Park Service manages historical parks, national monuments, national seashores, and recreation areas throughout California, all constituting units of the National Park System and enjoyed by millions of visitors; and
WHEREAS, National park sites in California attract millions of visitors annually, contributing significantly to the states economy and fostering appreciation for outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship; and
WHEREAS, In 2023, 36,200,000 park visitors spent an estimated $3,200,000,000 in local gateway regions while visiting National Park Service lands in California, supporting a total of 39,700 jobs, $2,000,000,000 in labor income, and $5,100,000,000 in economic output in the California economy; and
WHEREAS, Recent federal personnel decisions have included the firing of over 1,000 National Park Service employees, including park rangers, a hiring freeze on vacant positions, and the planned closure of park offices, significantly diminishing critical services and operations; and
WHEREAS, These decisions have led to the reduction of park hours, the closure of essential facilities, and the inability to adequately address resource management, wildfire prevention, and visitor safety, as demonstrated by camping reservations being suspended in Yosemite due to staffing shortages; and
WHEREAS, The federal administrations proposed reduction in force initiative could lead to a 30-percent cut in National Park Service staffing; and
WHEREAS, Fully funding and staffing the National Park Service is essential to reversing these challenges, addressing the maintenance backlog, and ensuring the long-term sustainability and accessibility of national parks; and
WHEREAS, Investing in national parks aligns with Californias leadership in sustainability, conservation, and innovation, serving as a model for environmental responsibility nationwide; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature urges the President of the United States and Congress of the United States to immediately restore full and consistent funding and staffing for the National Park Service, including the restoration of positions to protect and enhance the nations irreplaceable natural and cultural heritage; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature supports the rehiring of park rangers and staff, enhancement of visitor services, and the continued preservation and protection of Californias and the nations treasured landscapes; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States, and to the author for appropriate distribution.