AB 2054: State parks.

(1)Under existing law, the Department of Parks and Recreation controls the state park system, which is made up of units. Existing law requires the department to administer, protect, develop, and interpret the property under its jurisdiction for the use and enjoyment of the public.

Under this bill, a person or entity that engages in any for-profit activity in connection with the reservation of any overnight accommodation in any unit of the state park system, including sales activity to reserve an overnight accommodation on behalf of a 3rd party, without permission of the department or the operator of that state park system unit, would be guilty of a misdemeanor or an infraction, punishable as specified. The bill would establish a state-mandated local program by creating a new crime. The bill would express the intent of the Legislature that the department consult with experts in the public and private sectors, as specified, on the effective implementation of this provision, and provide an annual update to the Legislature on the implementation of this provision.

(2)The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

(3)This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.