AB 618: State parks: reservations.
- Session Year: 2023-2024
- House: Assembly
- Latest Version Date: 2023-10-08
Current Status:
Passed
(2023-10-08: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 536, Statutes of 2023.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Enacted
Existing law establishes the Department of Parks and Recreation and vests the department with control of the state park system. Existing law authorizes the department, whenever significant savings can be achieved, to enter into a contract with any natural person, corporation, partnership, or association for the operation of a reservation system for the state park system and for the collection of state park fees in connection therewith.
This bill would require any contract the department enters into, on and after January 1, 2024, for purposes of managing the departments reservation system, to reflect specified rules, authorizations, and requirements, including, among other things, that a reservationholder who cancels a reservation within 2 to 6 calendar days before the reservation start date may forfeit the cost of the reservation for the first night plus any reservation fees. The bill would require the department to, on or before January 1, 2025, implement a reservation drawing for up to 5 of the most popular units of the state park system, as provided. The bill would require the department to report, on or before January 1, 2028, on the outcomes of the reservation drawing to the Legislature. The bill would repeal the above-mentioned provisions regarding the reservation drawing on January 1, 2029.
Existing law establishes the Department of Parks and Recreation and vests the department with control of the state park system. Existing law authorizes the department, whenever significant savings can be achieved, to enter into a contract with any natural person, corporation, partnership, or association for the operation of a reservation system for the state park system and for the collection of state park fees in connection therewith.
This bill would require any contract the department enters into, on and after January 1, 2024, for purposes of managing the departments reservation system, to reflect specified rules, authorizations, and requirements, including, among other things, that a reservationholder who cancels a reservation within 2 to 6 calendar days before the reservation start date may forfeit the cost of the reservation for the first night plus any reservation fees. The bill would require the department to, on or before January 1, 2025, implement a reservation drawing for up to 5 of the most popular units of the state park system, as provided. The bill would require the department to report, on or before January 1, 2028, on the outcomes of the reservation drawing to the Legislature. The bill would repeal the above-mentioned provisions regarding the reservation drawing on January 1, 2029.
Existing law establishes the Department of Parks and Recreation and vests the department with control of the state park system. Existing law authorizes the department, whenever significant savings can be achieved, to enter into a contract with any natural person, corporation, partnership, or association for the operation of a reservation system for the state park system and for the collection of state park fees in connection therewith.
This bill would require any contract the department enters into, on and after January 1, 2024, for purposes of managing the departments reservation system, to reflect specified rules and rules, authorizations, and requirements, including, among other things, a requirement that a reservationholder who cancels a reservation within 2 to 6 calendar days before the reservation start date shall may forfeit the cost of the reservation for the first night plus any reservation fees. The bill would require the department to, on or before January 1, 2025, and until January 1, 2029, implement a reservation drawing for up to 5 of the most popular units of the state park system, as provided. The bill would require the department to report, on or before January 1, 2028, on the outcomes of the reservation drawing to the Legislature.
Existing law establishes the Department of Parks and Recreation and vests the department with control of the state park system. Existing law authorizes the department, whenever significant savings can be achieved, to enter into a contract with any natural person, corporation, partnership, or association for the operation of a reservation system for the state park system and for the collection of state park fees in connection therewith.
This bill would require any contract the department enters into, on and after January 1, 2024, for purposes of managing the departments reservation system, to reflect specified rules and requirements, including, among other things, a requirement that a reservationholder who cancels a reservation within 7 2 to 6 calendar days before the reservation start date shall receive a credit that can be used for a future reservation within 5 years of the original reservation start date, as provided. forfeit the cost of the reservation for the first night plus any reservation fees. The bill would require the department to, on or before January 1, 2025, and until January 1, 2029, implement a reservation drawing for up to 5 of the most popular units of the state park system, as provided. The bill would require the department to report, on or before January 1, 2028, information regarding on the outcomes of the reservation drawing to the Legislature.
Existing law establishes the Department of Parks and Recreation and vests the department with control of the state park system. Existing law authorizes the department, whenever significant savings can be achieved, to enter into a contract with any natural person, corporation, partnership, or association for the operation of a reservation system for the state park system and for the collection of state park fees in connection therewith.
This bill would require any contract the department enters into, on and after January 1, 2024, for purposes of managing the departments reservation system, to include specified provisions, reflect specified rules and requirements, including, among other things, a provision requirement that provides that a cancellation made reservationholder who cancels a reservation within 7 calendar days of before the reservation start date shall result in receive a credit that can be used for a future reservations reservation within 5 years of the original reservation start date, as provided. The bill would require the department to, on or before January 1, 2025, and until January 1, 2029, implement a reservation drawing for up to 5 of the most popular units of the state park system, as provided. The bill would require the department to report, on or before January 1, 2028, information regarding the reservation drawing to the Legislature.
Existing law establishes the Department of Parks and Recreation and vests the department with control of the state park system. Existing law authorizes the department, whenever significant savings can be achieved, to enter into a contract with any natural person, corporation, partnership, or association for the operation of a reservation system for the state park system and for the collection of state park fees in connection therewith.
This bill would require any contract the department enters into, on and after January 1, 2024, for purposes of managing the departments reservation system, to include specified provisions, including, among other things, a provision that provides that a cancellation made within 7 calendar days of the reservation start date shall result in credit that can be used for future reservations within 5 years of the original reservation start date, as provided. The bill would require the department to, on or before January 1, 2025, and until January 1, 2029, implement a reservation lottery system drawing for up to 5 of the most popular units of the state park system, as provided. The bill would require the department to report, on or before January 1, 2028, information regarding the reservation lottery system drawing to the Legislature.
Existing law establishes the Department of Parks and Recreation and vests the department with control of the state park system. Existing law authorizes the department, whenever significant savings can be achieved, to enter into a contract with any natural person, corporation, partnership, or association for the operation of a reservation system for the state park system and for the collection of state park fees in connection therewith.
This bill would require any contract the department enters into, on and after January 1, 2024, for purposes of managing the departments reservation system, to include specified provisions, including, among other things, a provision that provides that a cancellation made within 7 calendar days of the reservation start date shall result in credit that can be used for future reservations within 5 years of the original reservation start date. date, as provided. The bill would require the department to, on or before January 1, 2025, and until January 1, 2029, implement a reservation lottery system for up to 5 of the most popular units of the state park system, as provided. The bill would require the department to report, on or before January 1, 2028, information regarding the reservation lottery system to the Legislature.
Existing law establishes the Golden Bear Pass as a discount program available to persons, upon application to the department, who meet specified criteria for use of state park facilities, as specified.This bill would require the department to grant a 25% discount for campsite or lodging reservations paid through the internet website www.reservecalifornia.com to the bearer of a Golden Bear Pass described above.Existing law establishes the Department of Parks and Recreation and vests the department with control of the state park system. Existing law authorizes the department, whenever significant savings can be achieved, to enter into a contract with any natural person, corporation, partnership, or association for the operation of a reservation system for the state park system and for the collection of state park fees in connection therewith.
This bill would require any contract the department enters into, on and after January 1, 2024, for purposes of managing the departments reservation system, to include specified provisions, including, among other things, a provision that provides that a cancellation made within 7 calendar days of the reservation start date shall result in credit that can be used for future reservations within 5 years of the original reservation start date. The bill would require the department to, on or before January 1, 2025, and until January 1, 2029, implement a reservation lottery system for up to 5 of the most popular units of the state park system, as provided. The bill would require the department to report, on or before January 1, 2028, information regarding the reservation lottery system to the Legislature.
Existing law establishes the Golden Bear Pass as a discount program available to persons, upon application to the department, who meet specified criteria for use of state park facilities, as specified.
This bill would require the department to grant a 25% discount for campsite or lodging reservations paid through the internet website www.reservecalifornia.com to the bearer of a Golden Bear Pass described above.
Existing law establishes the Department of Parks and Recreation and vests the department with control of the state park system. Existing law authorizes the department, whenever significant savings can be achieved, to enter into a contract with any natural person, corporation, partnership, or association for the operation of a reservation system for the state park system and for the collection of state park fees in connection therewith.
This bill would require any contract the department enters into, on and after January 1, 2024, for purposes of managing the departments reservation system, to include specified provisions, including, among other things, a provision that provides that a cancellation made within 7 calendar days of the reservation start date shall result in credit that can be used for future reservations within 5 years of the original reservation start date. The bill would require the department to, on or before January 1, 2025, and until January 1, 2029, implement a reservation lottery system for up to 5 of the most popular units of the state park system, as provided. The bill would require the department to report, on or before January 1, 2028, information regarding the reservation lottery system to the Legislature.
Existing law establishes the Golden Bear Pass as a discount program available to persons, upon application to the department, who meet specified criteria for use of state park facilities, as specified.
This bill would require the department to grant a 25% discount for campsite or lodging reservations paid through the internet website www.reservecalifornia.com to the bearer of a Golden Bear Pass described above.
(a)On and after January 1, 2024, any contract the department enters into for purposes of managing the departments reservation system pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 5010.1 shall reflect the rules, authorizations, and requirements of this section.
(b)For units of the state park system operated by the department, the department may restrict a person from reserving a site under any of the following circumstances:
(1)For more than seven consecutive nights during peak season.
(2)If the person has occupied a site at the same unit proposed for reservation for more than 30 days in a calendar year.
(3)(A)By using the online reservation system if the person failed to show up for at least three reservations in one calendar year.
(B)The persons ability to reserve a site using the online reservation system may resume within one calendar year from the date of the reservationholders third failure to show up for a reservation.
(C)This paragraph shall not apply to reservations and occupation of sites obtained using walkup reservations or first-come-first-served systems.
(c)A reservationholder who cancels a reservation seven calendar days or more before the reservation start date shall receive a refund of the cost of the reservation, excluding any reservation fees.
(d)A reservationholder who cancels a reservation within two to six calendar days before the reservation start date may forfeit the cost of the reservation for the first night plus any reservation fees.
(e)A reservationholder who cancels a reservation or fails to show up within 24 hours of the reservation start date may forfeit the entire cost of the reservation plus any reservation fees.
(f)A reservationholder may either show up or provide notice of late arrival to staff at the state park unit where the reservation is held within 24 hours of the reservation start date in order to avoid forfeiting the entire cost of the reservation.
(g)A camp or lodging site for which the reservationholder cancels a reservation three calendar days or more before the reservation start date may be made available for reservation through the online reservation system.
(h)A reservationholder shall receive at least two reminders via email or another form of communication, as follows:
(1)Ten days before the reservation start date, that informs the reservationholder of cancellation at least seven days before the reservation start date to receive a refund of the cost of the reservation, excluding any reservation fees.
(2)Four days before the reservation start date, informing the reservationholder of cancellation within three calendar days of the reservation start date to avoid the forfeiture of one night of reservation costs plus any reservation fees.
(i)As part of the communication described in subdivision (h), a reservationholder shall be informed that the entire cost of the reservation plus any reservation fees may be forfeited if the reservationholder does either of the following:
(1)Cancels within 24 hours of the reservation start date.
(2)Fails to either show up or notify staff at the state park unit where the reservation is held of a late arrival no later than 24 hours following the reservation start date.
(j)Forfeited reservation costs, as described in subdivisions (d) and (e), shall be deposited into the State Parks and Recreation Fund, established pursuant to Section 5010, and may be used, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for purposes of deferred maintenance projects.
(k)This section shall only apply to a camp or lodging site that uses the reservation system described in subdivision (b) of Section 5010.1.
SEC. 2.Section 5010.1.6 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:5010.1.6.(a)On or before January 1, 2025, the department shall implement a reservation drawing for up to five of the most popular units of the state park system. The department shall determine the top units for purposes of this section based on units that have the most booking interest six months before the reservation date.
(b)At any unit of the state park system described in subdivision (a), the department may continue to use the reservation system authorized pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 5010.1 and as described in Section 5010.1.5 for a subset of camping or lodging sites within the state park unit for purposes of providing an analysis between the reservation drawing process established by this section and existing reservation system processes.
(c)(1)On or before January 1, 2028, the department shall provide a report to the Legislature on the outcomes of the reservation drawing established pursuant to subdivision (a), including, if pursued by the department, any analysis obtained pursuant to subdivision (b).
(2)A report submitted to the Legislature pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(d)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.
(a)On and after January 1, 2024, any contract the department enters into for purposes of managing the departments reservation system pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 5010.1 shall reflect the rules, authorizations, and requirements of this section.
(b)For units of the state park system operated by the department, the department may restrict a person from reserving a site under any of the following circumstances:
(1)For more than seven consecutive nights during peak season.
(2)If the person has occupied a site at the same unit proposed for reservation for more than 30 days in a calendar year.
(3)(A)By using the online reservation system if the person failed to show up for at least three reservations in one calendar year.
(B)The persons ability to reserve a site using the online reservation system may resume within one calendar year from the date of the reservationholders third failure to show up for a reservation.
(C)This paragraph shall not apply to reservations and occupation of sites obtained using walkup reservations or first-come-first-served systems.
(c)A reservationholder who cancels a reservation seven calendar days or more before the reservation start date shall receive a refund of the cost of the reservation, excluding any reservation fees.
(d)A reservationholder who cancels a reservation within two to six calendar days before the reservation start date may forfeit the cost of the reservation for the first night plus any reservation fees.
(e)A reservationholder who cancels a reservation or fails to show up within 24 hours of the reservation start date may forfeit the entire cost of the reservation plus any reservation fees.
(f)A reservationholder may either show up or provide notice of late arrival to staff at the state park unit where the reservation is held within 24 hours of the reservation start date in order to avoid forfeiting the entire cost of the reservation.
(g)A camp or lodging site for which the reservationholder cancels a reservation three calendar days or more before the reservation start date may be made available for reservation through the online reservation system.
(h)A reservationholder shall receive at least two reminders via email or another form of communication, as follows:
(1)Ten days before the reservation start date, that informs the reservationholder of cancellation at least seven days before the reservation start date to receive a refund of the cost of the reservation, excluding any reservation fees.
(2)Four days before the reservation start date, informing the reservationholder of cancellation within three calendar days of the reservation start date to avoid the forfeiture of one night of reservation costs plus any reservation fees.
(i)As part of the communication described in subdivision (h), a reservationholder shall be informed that the entire cost of the reservation plus any reservation fees may be forfeited if the reservationholder does either of the following:
(1)Cancels within 24 hours of the reservation start date.
(2)Fails to either show up or notify staff at the state park unit where the reservation is held of a late arrival no later than 24 hours following the reservation start date.
(j)Forfeited reservation costs, as described in subdivisions (d) and (e), shall be deposited into the State Parks and Recreation Fund, established pursuant to Section 5010, and may be used, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for purposes of deferred maintenance projects.
(k)This section shall only apply to a camp or lodging site that uses the reservation system described in subdivision (b) of Section 5010.1.
SEC. 2.Section 5010.1.6 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:5010.1.6.(a)On or before January 1, 2025, the department shall implement a reservation drawing for up to five of the most popular units of the state park system. The department shall determine the top units for purposes of this section based on units that have the most booking interest six months before the reservation date.
(b)At any unit of the state park system described in subdivision (a), the department may continue to use the reservation system authorized pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 5010.1 and as described in Section 5010.1.5 for a subset of camping or lodging sites within the state park unit for purposes of providing an analysis between the reservation drawing process established by this section and existing reservation system processes.
(c)(1)On or before January 1, 2028, the department shall provide a report to the Legislature on the outcomes of the reservation drawing established pursuant to subdivision (a), including, if pursued by the department, any analysis obtained pursuant to subdivision (b).
(2)A report submitted to the Legislature pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(d)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.
(a)On and after January 1, 2024, any contract the department enters into for purposes of managing the departments reservation system pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 5010.1 shall reflect the rules and rules, authorizations, and requirements of this section.
(b)For units of the state park system operated by the department, the department may restrict a person shall not reserve from reserving a site under any of the following circumstances:
(1)For more than seven consecutive nights during peak season.
(2)If the person has occupied a site at the same unit proposed for reservation for more than 30 days in a calendar year.
(3)(A)By using the online reservation system if the person failed to show up for at least three reservations in one calendar year.
(B)The persons ability to reserve a site using the online reservation system shall may resume within one calendar year. year from the date of the reservationholders third failure to show up for a reservation.
(C)This paragraph shall not apply to reservations and occupation of sites obtained using walkup reservations or first-come-first-served systems.
(c)A reservationholder who cancels a reservation seven calendar days or more before the reservation start date shall receive a refund of the cost of the reservation, excluding any reservation fees.
(d)A reservationholder who cancels a reservation within two to six calendar days before the reservation start date shall may forfeit the cost of the reservation for the first night plus any reservation fees.
(e)A reservationholder who cancels a reservation or fails to show up within 24 hours of the reservation start date shall may forfeit the entire cost of the reservation plus any reservation fees.
(f)A reservationholder shall may either show up or provide notice of late arrival to staff at the state park unit where the reservation is held within 24 hours of the reservation start date in order to avoid forfeiting the entire cost of the reservation.
(g)A camp or lodging site for which the reservationholder cancels a reservation three calendar days or more before the reservation start date shall may be made available for reservation through the online reservation system.
(h)A reservationholder shall receive at least two reminders via email or another form of communication, as follows:
(1)Ten days before the reservation start date, that encourages informs the reservationholder of cancellation at least seven days before the reservation start date to receive a refund of the cost of the reservation, excluding any reservation fees.
(2)Four days before the reservation start date, encouraging informing the reservationholder of cancellation within three calendar days of the reservation start date to avoid the forfeiture of one night of reservation costs plus any reservation fees.
(i)As part of the communication described in subdivision (h), a reservationholder shall be informed that the entire cost of the reservation plus any reservation fees shall may be forfeited if the reservationholder does either of the following:
(1)Cancels within 24 hours of the reservation start date.
(2)Fails to either show up or notify staff at the state park unit where the reservation is held of a late arrival no later than 24 hours following the reservation start date.
(j)Forfeited reservation costs, as described in subdivisions (d) and (e), shall be deposited into the State Parks and Recreation Fund, established pursuant to Section 5010, and may be used, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for purposes of deferred maintenance projects.
(k)This section shall only apply to a camp or lodging site that uses the reservation system described in subdivision (b) of Section 5010.1.
SEC. 2.Section 5010.1.6 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:5010.1.6.(a)On or before January 1, 2025, the department shall implement a reservation drawing for up to five of the most popular units of the state park system. The department shall determine the top units for purposes of this section based on units that have the most booking interest six months before the reservation date.
(b)At any unit of the state park system described in subdivision (a), the department may continue to use the reservation system authorized pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 5010.1 and as described in Section 5010.1.5 for a subset of camping or lodging sites within the state park unit for purposes of providing an analysis between the reservation drawing process established by this section and existing reservation system processes.
(c)(1)On or before January 1, 2028, the department shall provide a report to the Legislature on the outcomes of the reservation drawing established pursuant to subdivision (a), including including, if pursued by the department, any analysis obtained pursuant to subdivision (b).
(2)A report submitted to the Legislature pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(d)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.
(a)On and after January 1, 2024, any contract the department enters into for purposes of managing the departments reservation system pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 5010.1 shall reflect the rules and requirements of this section.
(b)A person shall not reserve a site in a unit of the state park system for more than seven consecutive nights during peak season.(c)A person shall not reserve a site in a unit of the state park system if that person has occupied a site at the same unit proposed for reservation for more than 30 days in a calendar year.(d)A person shall not reserve a site in a unit of the state park system through the online reservation system for one calendar year if that person, at least three times in one calendar year, fails to show up for the reservation. During this time, this person may reserve a site through the walkup reservation system.(b)For units of the state park system operated by the department, a person shall not reserve a site under any of the following circumstances:
(1)For more than seven consecutive nights during peak season.
(2)If the person has occupied a site at the same unit proposed for reservation for more than 30 days in a calendar year.
(3)(A)By using the online reservation system if the person failed to show up for at least three reservations in one calendar year.
(B)The persons ability to reserve a site using the online reservation system shall resume within one calendar year.
(C)This paragraph shall not apply to reservations and occupation of sites obtained using walkup reservations or first-come-first-served systems.
(e)(c)A reservationholder who cancels a reservation eight seven calendar days or more before the reservation start date shall receive a refund of the cost of the reservation, excluding any reservation fees.
(f)(d)A reservationholder who cancels a reservation within seven two to six calendar days before the reservation start date shall receive a credit, excluding any reservation fees, that may be used for a future reservation within five years of the original reservation start date. forfeit the cost of the reservation for the first night plus any reservation fees.
(g)(e)A reservationholder who cancels a reservation on the day of the reservation start date or after or fails to show up for the reservation within 24 hours of the reservation start date shall forfeit the entire cost of the reservation and shall not receive a credit. plus any reservation fees.
(h)(f)A reservationholder shall either show up on the day of the reservation start date or provide advance notice or provide notice of late arrival to staff at the state park unit where the reservation is held that the reservationholder will arrive late within 24 hours of the reservation start date in order to avoid forfeiting the entire cost of the reservation.
(i)(g)A camp or lodging site for which the reservationholder cancels a reservation three calendar days or more before the reservation start date shall be made available for reservation through the online reservation system.
(j)The following camp or lodging sites shall be made available for walkup reservation, which shall display in real time as available on the online reservation system, but shall not be available for reservation through the online system:(1)A camp or lodging site for which the reservationholder cancels a reservation on the day of the reservation start date or up to two calendars days before the reservation start date.(2)A camp or lodging site for which the reservationholder does not show up on the day of the reservation start date and does not provide advance notice to staff at the state park unit where the reservation is held that the reservationholder will arrive late.(3)A camp or lodging site that has not been reserved up to two days before the start date.(k)(h)A reservationholder shall receive at least two reminder emails, reminders via email or another form of communication, as follows:
(1)Ten days before the reservation start date, that encourages cancellation at least eight seven days before the reservation start date to receive a refund of the cost of the reservation, excluding any reservation fees.
(2)Four days before the reservation start date, encouraging cancellation before the reservation start date to receive a credit for the cost of the reservation, excluding any reservation fees. within three calendar days of the reservation start date to avoid the forfeiture of one night of reservation costs plus any reservation fees.
(l)(i)As part of the email communication described in subdivision (k), (h), a reservationholder shall be informed that the entire cost of the reservation plus any reservation fees shall be forfeited, and no credits shall be given, forfeited if the reservationholder does either of the following:
(1)Cancels on the day within 24 hours of the reservation start date.
(2)Fails to either show up on the day of the reservation start date or provide advance notice to or notify staff at the state park unit where the reservation is held that the reservationholder will arrive late. of a late arrival no later than 24 hours following the reservation start date.
(m)Upon appropriation by the Legislature, the department may use the forfeited(j)Forfeited reservation costs, as described in subdivisions (g) and (h), (d) and (e), shall be deposited into the State Parks and Recreation Fund, established pursuant to Section 5010, and may be used, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for purposes of deferred maintenance projects.
(n)(k)This section shall only apply to a camp or lodging site that uses the reservation system described in subdivision (b) of Section 5010.1.
SEC. 2.Section 5010.1.6 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:5010.1.6.(a)On or before January 1, 2025, the department shall implement a reservation drawing for up to five of the most popular units of the state park system. The department shall determine the top units for purposes of this section based on units that have the most booking interest six months before the reservation date. The reservation drawing shall occur at least once per year for each of the selected units.
(b)At any unit of the state park system described in subdivision (a), the department may continue to use the reservation system authorized pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 5010.1 and as described in Section 5010.1.5 for a subset of camping or lodging sites within the state park unit for purposes of providing an analysis between the reservation drawing process established by this section and existing reservation system processes.
(c)(1)On or before January 1, 2028, the department shall provide a report to the Legislature regarding on the outcomes of the reservation drawing established pursuant to subdivision (a), including any analysis obtained pursuant to subdivision (b).
(2)A report submitted to the Legislature pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(d)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.
(a)On and after January 1, 2024, any contract the department enters into for purposes of managing the departments reservation system pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 5010.1 shall reflect the rules and requirements of this section.
(b)A person shall not reserve a site in a unit of the state park system for more than seven consecutive nights during peak season.
(c)A person shall not reserve a site in a unit of the state park system if that person has occupied a site at the same unit proposed for reservation for more than 30 days in a calendar year.
(d)A person shall not reserve a site in a unit of the state park system through the online reservation system for one calendar year if that person, at least three times in one calendar year, fails to show up for the reservation. During this time, this person may reserve a site through the walkup reservation system.
(e)A reservationholder who cancels a reservation eight calendar days or more before the reservation start date shall receive a refund of the cost of the reservation, excluding any reservation fees.
(f)A reservationholder who cancels a reservation within seven calendar days before the reservation start date shall receive a credit, excluding any reservation fees, that may be used for a future reservation within five years of the original reservation start date.
(g)A reservationholder who cancels a reservation on the day of the reservation start date or after or fails to show up for the reservation shall forfeit the entire cost of the reservation and shall not receive a credit.
(h)A reservationholder shall show up on the day of the reservation start date or provide advance notice to staff at the state park unit where the reservation is held that the reservationholder will arrive late in order to avoid forfeiting the entire cost of the reservation.
(i)A camp or lodging site for which the reservationholder cancels a reservation three calendar days or more before the reservation start date shall be made available for reservation through the online reservation system.
(j)The following camp or lodging sites shall be made available for walkup reservation, which shall display in real time as available on the online reservation system, but shall not be available for reservation through the online system:
(1)A camp or lodging site for which the reservationholder cancels a reservation on the day of the reservation start date or up to two calendars days before the reservation start date.
(2)A camp or lodging site for which the reservationholder does not show up on the day of the reservation start date and does not provide advance notice to staff at the state park unit where the reservation is held that the reservationholder will arrive late.
(3)A camp or lodging site that has not been reserved up to two days before the start date.
(k)A reservationholder shall receive at least two reminder emails, as follows:
(1)Ten days before the reservation start date, that encourages cancellation at least eight days before the reservation start date to receive a refund of the cost of the reservation, excluding any reservation fees.
(2)Four days before the reservation start date, encouraging cancellation before the reservation start date to receive a credit for the cost of the reservation, excluding any reservation fees.
(l)As part of the email communication described in subdivision (k), a reservationholder shall be informed that the entire cost of the reservation shall be forfeited, and no credits shall be given, if the reservationholder does either of the following:
(1)Cancels on the day of the reservation start date.
(2)Fails to show up on the day of the reservation start date or provide advance notice to staff at the state park unit where the reservation is held that the reservationholder will arrive late.
(m)Upon appropriation by the Legislature, the department may use the forfeited reservation costs, described in subdivisions (g) and (h), for purposes of deferred maintenance projects.
(n)This section shall only apply to a camp or lodging site that uses the reservation system described in subdivision (b) of Section 5010.1.
SEC. 2.Section 5010.1.6 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:5010.1.6.(a)On or before January 1, 2025, the department shall implement a reservation drawing for up to five of the most popular units of the state park system. The department shall determine the top units for purposes of this section based on units that have the most booking interest six months before the reservation date. The reservation drawing shall occur at least once per year for each of the selected units.
(b)At any unit of the state park system described in subdivision (a), the department may continue to use the reservation system authorized pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 5010.1 and as described in Section 5010.1.5 for a subset of camping or lodging sites within the state park unit for purposes of providing an analysis between the reservation drawing process established by this section and existing reservation system processes.
(c)(1)On or before January 1, 2028, the department shall provide a report to the Legislature regarding the reservation drawing established pursuant to subdivision (a), including any analysis obtained pursuant to subdivision (b).
(2)A report submitted to the Legislature pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(d)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.
On and after January 1, 2024, any contract the department enters into for purposes of managing the departments reservation system pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 5010.1 shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following provisions:
(a)A cancellation made within seven calendar days of the reservation start date shall result in credit that can be used for future reservations within five years of the original reservation start date.
(b)A cancellation made up to three calendar days before the reservation start date shall result in the campsite or lodging site returning to the online inventory for reservation.
(c)(1)The contractor shall send at least two reminder emails to reservation holders, as follows:
(A)Ten days before reservation start date, encouraging cancellation before seven calendar days to receive a refund of the cost of the reservation, excluding any reservation fees.
(B)Four days before reservation start date, encouraging cancellation before three calendar days to receive credits for the cost of the reservation, excluding any reservation fees.
(2)(A)The contractor shall also send an email, as part of the email communication described in paragraph (1), to the reservation holder informing them that the entire reservation cost shall be forfeited, and no credits shall be given, if the reservation holder does not show up within 24 hours of the reservation start time and the reservation holder has not provided advance notice to staff at the state park where the reservation is held.
(B)Upon appropriation by the Legislature, the department may use the forfeited reservation costs, described in subparagraph (A), for purposes of deferred maintenance projects.
(d)Any unreserved camp or lodging sites or camp or lodging sites where the reservation holder does not show up within 24 hours of the reservation start time, as described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c), shall be made available for walkup reservations.
(e)The internet website used for making reservations at the state parks shall provide the real-time availability of any sites described in subdivision (d) that are available for walkup reservations.
(f)New reservations shall be limited for reservation holders who fail to show up within 24 hours of a reservation start time and the reservation holder has not provided advance notice to staff at the state park at least three times in a calendar year.
(g)Subdivisions (a) to (f), inclusive, shall only apply to a camp or lodging site that uses the online reservation system operated by, or on behalf of, the state park system.
(h)A person shall not be permitted to reserve a site at a unit of the state park system if that person has occupied a site at the same unit of a state park system for more than 30 total days in a calendar year.
(i)A reservation at a site in a unit of the state park system shall not be for more than seven consecutive nights during peak season.
SEC. 2.Section 5010.1.6 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:5010.1.6.(a)On or before January 1, 2025, the department shall implement a reservation lottery system drawing for up to five of the most popular units of the state park system. The department shall determine the top units for purposes of this section based on units that have the most booking interest six months before the reservation date. The reservation drawing shall occur at least once per year for each of the selected units.
(b)At any unit of the state park system described in subdivision (a), the department may continue to use the reservation system authorized pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 5010.1 and as described in Section 5010.1.5 for a subset of camping or lodging sites within the state park unit for purposes of providing an analysis between the reservation drawing process established by this section and the process described in Section 5010.1.5. existing reservation system processes.
(c)(1)On or before January 1, 2028, the department shall provide a report to the Legislature regarding the reservation lottery system drawing established pursuant to subdivision (a), including any analysis obtained pursuant to subdivision (b).
(2)A report submitted to the Legislature pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(d)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.
On and after January 1, 2024, any contract the department enters into for purposes of managing the departments reservation system pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 5010.1 shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following provisions:
(a)A cancellation made within seven calendar days of the reservation start date shall result in credit that can be used for future reservations within five years of the original reservation start date.
(b)A cancellation made up to three calendar days before the reservation start date shall result in the campsite or lodging site returning to the online inventory for reservation.
(c)(1)The contractor shall send at least two reminder emails to reservation holders, as follows:
(A)Ten days before reservation start date, encouraging cancellation before seven calendar days to receive a refund of the cost of the reservation, excluding any reservation fees.
(B)Four days before reservation start date, encouraging cancellation before three calendar days to receive credits for the cost of the reservation, excluding any reservation fees.
(2)(A)The contractor shall also send an email, as part of the email communication described in paragraph (1), to the reservation holder informing them that the entire reservation cost shall be forfeited, and no credits shall be given, if the reservation holder does not show up within 24 hours of the reservation start time and the reservation holder has not provided advance notice to staff at the state park where the reservation is held.
(B)Upon appropriation by the Legislature, the department may use the forfeited reservation costs, described in subparagraph (A), for purposes of deferred maintenance projects.
(d)Any unreserved camp or lodging sites or camp or lodging sites where the reservation holder does not show up within 24 hours of the reservation start time, as described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c), shall be made available for walkup reservations.
(e)The internet website used for making reservations at the state parks shall provide the real-time availability of any sites described in subdivision (d) that are available for walkup reservations.
(f)New reservations shall be limited for reservation holders who fail to show up within 24 hours of a reservation start time and the reservation holder has not provided advance notice to staff at the state park at least three times in a calendar year.
(g)Subdivisions (a) to (f), inclusive, shall only apply to a camp or lodging site that uses the online reservation system operated by, or on behalf of, the state park system.
(g)(h)A person shall not be permitted to reserve a site at a unit of the state park system if that person has occupied a site at the same unit of a state park system for more than 30 total days in a calendar year.
(h)(i)A reservation at a site in a unit of the state park system shall not be for more than seven consecutive nights during peak season.
SEC. 2.Section 5010.1.6 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:5010.1.6.(a)On or before January 1, 2025, the department shall implement a reservation lottery system for up to five of the most popular units of the state park system. The department shall determine the top units for purposes of this section based on units that have the most booking interest six months before the reservation date.
(b)At any unit of the state park system described in subdivision (a), the department may continue to use the reservation system described in Section 5010.1.5 for a subset of camping or lodging sites within the state park unit for purposes of providing an analysis between the reservation process established by this section and the process described in Section 5010.1.5.
(c)(1)On or before January 1, 2028, the department shall provide a report to the Legislature regarding the reservation lottery system established pursuant to subdivision (a), including any analysis obtained pursuant to subdivision (b).
(2)A report submitted to the Legislature pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(d)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 3.Section 5011 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:5011.(a)Any person receiving aid to the aged, blind, or disabled under Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 12000) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, any person receiving aid to families with dependent children under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or any person over 62 years of age whose total monthly income from all sources, including any old age assistance payments, does not exceed the amount specified in subdivision (c) of Section 12200 of the Welfare and Institutions Code for a single person, or in subdivision (d) of that section for married persons, as adjusted pursuant to Section 12201 of that code, upon application therefor and payment of five dollars ($5) to the department, shall be issued a Golden Bear Pass that is valid for the specified year and that entitles the bearer and spouse to free use on any day of the day-use facilities in units of the state park system, except Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument, Sutters Fort State Historic Park, and the California State Railroad Museum, under limitations as may be determined by departmental regulation regarding peak hours and contractual arrangements with vendors. The pass shall entitle the bearer and spouse to have access only to day-use facilities and not to the use of any other facilities, except as otherwise provided in this section.(b)The department shall not grant half price privileges or offer any discount for the use of state park system facilities on the basis of the pass authorized by this section.(c)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), the department shall develop and implement, on or before January 1, 1986, a senior discount program for the use of state park system facilities. The program may be modified after January 1, 1991, to include a Golden Bear Senior Pass available to any person over 62 years of age for an annual fee fixed by the department, valid for the specified year, and entitling the bearer and spouse to the use of day and camping facilities as specified by the department. The department shall set the fee for the Golden Bear Senior Pass and shall specify the facilities and times for which the pass is valid so as to minimize any loss in total annual park revenues to the department.(d)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), the department shall grant a 25-percent discount for campsite or lodging reservations paid through the internet website www.reservecalifornia.com to the bearer of a Golden Bear Pass described in subdivision (a).(e)(1)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), on and after July 1, 2021, the department shall waive the five-dollar ($5) fee to obtain the Golden Bear Pass described in subdivision (a).(2)This subdivision shall become inoperative on July 1, 2024.On and after January 1, 2024, any contract the department enters into for purposes of managing the departments reservation system pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 5010.1 shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following provisions:
(a)A cancellation made within seven calendar days of the reservation start date shall result in credit that can be used for future reservations within five years of the original reservation start date.
(b)A cancellation made up to three calendar days before the reservation start date shall result in the campsite or lodging site returning to the online inventory for reservation.
(c)(1)The contractor shall send at least two reminder emails to reservation holders, as follows:
(A)Ten days before reservation start date, encouraging cancellation before seven calendar days to receive a refund of the cost of the reservation, excluding any reservation fees.
(B)Four days before reservation start date, encouraging cancellation before three calendar days to receive credits for the cost of the reservation, excluding any reservation fees.
(2)(A)The contractor shall also send an email, as part of the email communication described in paragraph (1), to the reservation holder informing them that the entire reservation cost shall be forfeited, and no credits shall be given, if the reservation holder does not show up within 24 hours of the reservation start time and the reservation holder has not provided advance notice to staff at the state park where the reservation is held.
(B)Upon on an appropriation by the Legislature, the department may use the forfeited reservation costs, described in subparagraph (A), for purposes of deferred maintenance projects.
(d)Any unreserved camp or lodging sites or camp or lodging sites where the reservation holder does not show up within 24 hours of the reservation start time, as described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c), shall be made available for walkup reservations.
(e)The internet website used for making reservations at the state parks shall provide the real-time availability of any sites described in subdivision (d) that are available for walkup reservations.
(e) The contract shall include provisions relating to limiting new reservations by(f)New reservations shall be limited for reservation holders who fail to show up within 24 hours of a reservation start time and the reservation holder has not provided advance notice to staff at the state park at least three times in a calendar year.
(f)(g)A person shall not be permitted to reserve a site at a unit of the state park system if that person has occupied a site at the same unit of a state park system for more than 30 total days in a calendar year.
(g)(h)A reservation at a site in a unit of the state park system shall not be for more than seven consecutive nights during peak season.
SEC. 2.Section 5010.1.6 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:5010.1.6.(a)On or before January 1, 2025, the department shall implement a reservation lottery system for up to five of the most popular units of the state park system. The department shall determine the top units for purposes of this section based on units that have the most booking interest six months before the reservation date.
(b)At any unit of the state park system described in subdivision (a), the department may continue to use the reservation system described in Section 5010.1.5 for a subset of camping or lodging sites within the state park unit for purposes of providing an analysis between the reservation process established by this section and the process described in Section 5010.1.5.
(c)(1)On or before January 1, 2028, the department shall provide a report to the Legislature regarding the reservation lottery system established pursuant to subdivision (a), including any analysis obtained pursuant to subdivision (b).
(2)A report submitted to the Legislature pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(d)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 3.Section 5011 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:5011.(a)Any person receiving aid to the aged, blind, or disabled under Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 12000) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, any person receiving aid to families with dependent children under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or any person over 62 years of age whose total monthly income from all sources, including any old age assistance payments, does not exceed the amount specified in subdivision (c) of Section 12200 of the Welfare and Institutions Code for a single person, or in subdivision (d) of that section for married persons, as adjusted pursuant to Section 12201 of that code, upon application therefor and payment of five dollars ($5) to the department, shall be issued a Golden Bear Pass that is valid for the specified year and that entitles the bearer and spouse to free use on any day of the day-use facilities in units of the state park system, except Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument, Sutters Fort State Historic Park, and the California State Railroad Museum, under limitations as may be determined by departmental regulation regarding peak hours and contractual arrangements with vendors. The pass shall entitle the bearer and spouse to have access only to day-use facilities and not to the use of any other facilities, except as otherwise provided in this section.
(b)The department shall not grant half price privileges or offer any discount for the use of state park system facilities on the basis of the pass authorized by this section.
(c)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), the department shall develop and implement, on or before January 1, 1986, a senior discount program for the use of state park system facilities. The program may be modified after January 1, 1991, to include a Golden Bear Senior Pass available to any person over 62 years of age for an annual fee fixed by the department, valid for the specified year, and entitling the bearer and spouse to the use of day and camping facilities as specified by the department. The department shall set the fee for the Golden Bear Senior Pass and shall specify the facilities and times for which the pass is valid so as to minimize any loss in total annual park revenues to the department.
(d)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), the department shall grant a 25-percent discount for campsite or lodging reservations paid through the internet website www.reservecalifornia.com to the bearer of a Golden Bear Pass described in subdivision (a).
(e)(1)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), on and after July 1, 2021, the department shall waive the five-dollar ($5) fee to obtain the Golden Bear Pass described in subdivision (a).
(2)This subdivision shall become inoperative on July 1, 2024.
On and after January 1, 2024, any contract the department enters into for purposes of managing the departments reservation system pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 5010.1 shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following provisions:
(a)A cancellation made within seven calendar days of the reservation start date shall result in credit that can be used for future reservations within five years of the original reservation start date.
(b)A cancellation made up to three calendar days before the reservation start date shall result in the campsite or lodging site returning to the online inventory for reservation.
(c)(1)The contractor shall send at least two reminder emails to reservation holders, as follows:
(A)Ten days before reservation start date, encouraging cancellation before seven calendar days to receive a refund of the cost of the reservation, excluding any reservation fees.
(B)Four days before reservation start date, encouraging cancellation before three calendar days to receive credits for the cost of the reservation, excluding any reservation fees.
(2)(A)The contractor shall also send an email, as part of the email communication described in paragraph (1), to the reservation holder informing them that the entire reservation cost shall be forfeited, and no credits shall be given, if the reservation holder does not show up within 24 hours of the reservation start time and the reservation holder has not provided advance notice to staff at the state park where the reservation is held.
(B)Upon on an appropriation by the Legislature, the department may use the forfeited reservation costs, described in subparagraph (A), for purposes of deferred maintenance projects.
(d)Any unreserved camp or lodging sites or camp or lodging sites where the reservation holder does not show up within 24 hours of the reservation start time, as described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c), shall be made available for walkup reservations.
(e)The contract shall include provisions relating to limiting new reservations by reservation holders who fail to show up within 24 hours of a reservation start time and the reservation holder has not provided advance notice to staff at the state park at least three times in a calendar year.
(f)A person shall not be permitted to reserve a site at a unit of the state park system if that person has occupied a site at the same unit of a state park system for more than 30 total days in a calendar year.
(g)A reservation at a site in a unit of the state park system shall not be for more than seven consecutive nights during peak season.
SEC. 2.Section 5010.1.6 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:5010.1.6.(a)On or before January 1, 2025, the department shall implement a reservation lottery system for up to five of the most popular units of the state park system. The department shall determine the top units for purposes of this section based on units that have the most booking interest six months before the reservation date.
(b)At any unit of the state park system described in subdivision (a), the department may continue to use the reservation system described in Section 5010.1.5 for a subset of camping or lodging sites within the state park unit for purposes of providing an analysis between the reservation process established by this section and the process described in Section 5010.1.5.
(c)(1)On or before January 1, 2028, the department shall provide a report to the Legislature regarding the reservation lottery system established pursuant to subdivision (a), including any analysis obtained pursuant to subdivision (b).
(2)A report submitted to the Legislature pursuant to this subdivision shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(d)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.
SEC. 3.Section 5011 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:5011.(a)Any person receiving aid to the aged, blind, or disabled under Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 12000) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, any person receiving aid to families with dependent children under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or any person over 62 years of age whose total monthly income from all sources, including any old age assistance payments, does not exceed the amount specified in subdivision (c) of Section 12200 of the Welfare and Institutions Code for a single person, or in subdivision (d) of that section for married persons, as adjusted pursuant to Section 12201 of that code, upon application therefor and payment of five dollars ($5) to the Department of Parks and Recreation, department, shall be issued a Golden Bear Pass that is valid for the specified year and that entitles the bearer and spouse to free use on any day of the day-use facilities in units of the state park system, except Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument, Sutters Fort State Historic Park, and the California State Railroad Museum, under limitations as may be determined by departmental regulation regarding peak hours and contractual arrangements with vendors. The pass shall entitle the bearer and spouse to have access only to day-use facilities and not to the use of any other facilities. facilities, except as otherwise provided in this section.
(b)The department shall not grant half price privileges or offer any discount for the use of state park system facilities on the basis of the pass authorized by this section.
(c)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), the department shall develop and implement, on or before January 1, 1986, a senior discount program for the use of state park system facilities. The program may be modified after January 1, 1991, to include a Golden Bear Senior Pass available to any person over 62 years of age for an annual fee fixed by the department, valid for the specified year, and entitling the bearer and spouse to the use of day and camping facilities as specified by the department. The department shall set the fee for the Golden Bear Senior Pass and shall specify the facilities and times for which the pass is valid so as to minimize any loss in total annual park revenues to the department.
(d)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), the department shall grant a 25-percent discount for campsite or lodging reservations paid through the internet website www.reservecalifornia.com to the bearer of a Golden Bear Pass described in subdivision (a).
(d)(e)(1)Notwithstanding subdivision (b), on and after July 1, 2021, the department shall waive the five-dollar ($5) fee to obtain the Golden Bear Pass described in subdivision (a).
(2)This subdivision shall become inoperative on July 1, 2024.
|
Date
|
Status
|
|---|---|
| Oct 8, 2023 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 536, Statutes of 2023. |
| Oct 8, 2023 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Sep 20, 2023 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m. |
| Sep 13, 2023 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 80. Noes 0. Page 3403.). |
| Sep 12, 2023 | In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. |
| Sep 12, 2023 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 38. Noes 0. Page 2642.). |
| Sep 11, 2023 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Sep 8, 2023 | Read third time and amended. Ordered to second reading. |
| Sep 5, 2023 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Sep 1, 2023 | Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading. |
| Sep 1, 2023 | From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (September 1). |
| Aug 14, 2023 | In committee: Referred to APPR suspense file. |
| Jul 5, 2023 | Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Jul 3, 2023 | From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 0.) (July 3). |
| Jun 21, 2023 | In committee: Hearing postponed by committee. |
| Jun 19, 2023 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on N.R. & W. |
| Jun 14, 2023 | Referred to Com. on N.R. & W. |
| Jun 1, 2023 | In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. |
| May 31, 2023 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 79. Noes 0. Page 1992.) |
| May 22, 2023 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| May 18, 2023 | Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading. |
| May 18, 2023 | From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (May 18). |
| May 3, 2023 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file. |
| Apr 26, 2023 | In committee: Hearing postponed by committee. |
| Mar 28, 2023 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (March 28). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Mar 21, 2023 | Re-referred to Com. on W., P., & W. |
| Mar 20, 2023 | From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on W., P., & W. Read second time and amended. |
| Feb 17, 2023 | Referred to Com. on W., P., & W. |
| Feb 10, 2023 | From printer. May be heard in committee March 12. |
| Feb 9, 2023 | Read first time. To print. |
|
Date
|
Description
|
Location
|
Votes
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 13, 2023 | AB 618 Bauer-Kahan Concurrence in Senate Amendments | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Sep 12, 2023 | Assembly 3rd Reading AB618 Bauer-Kahan et al. By Limón | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| Sep 1, 2023 | Do pass as amended | Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| Aug 14, 2023 | Placed on suspense file | Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| Jul 3, 2023 | Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations] | Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources and Water |
Passed |
|
| May 31, 2023 | AB 618 Bauer-Kahan Assembly Third Reading | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| May 18, 2023 | Do pass as amended. | Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations |
Passed |
|
| Mar 28, 2023 | Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar | Assembly Standing Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
|
Organization
|
Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| California State Parks Foundation | ** Support | |
| Clean Earth 4 Kids | * Support | Aug 14, 2023 |
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
CSA1 Bill Id:AB 618
Author:(Bauer-Kahan)
As Amended Ver:September 8, 2023
Majority vote
SUMMARY
Requires and authorizes changes to the Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) camping reservation system to deter late cancellations and no shows, and institutes a reservation drawing for up to five of the most popular camping and lodging sites.
Senate Amendments
- Revise and recast the provisions of this bill.
- Specify that the ban on new reservations is one calendar year for people who repeatedly book sites and fail to cancel or show up.
- Authorize, instead of require, some provisions of this bill, including payment forfeiture.
- Change the term reservation lottery system to reservation drawing.
- Make technical and clarifying changes.
COMMENTS
State Parks oversees 280 park units throughout the state, with more than 15,000 campsites and other lodging options, like rustic cabins, cottages, tent cabins, floating campsites, and yurts. For many of these locations, reservations are available in advance of the arrival date through an online or phone-based reservation system called Reserve California. This system is managed by a contracted vendor. Sites become available for reservation on a rolling basis at 8 a.m., six months prior to the reservation start date.
In recent years, the demand for public campsites has skyrocketed as more people are heading outdoors for their well-being and mental health. Many State Parks camping and lodging locations are very popular and sites are reserved within minutes of being offered. Currently, there are few consequences for booking a site and then cancelling right before the reservation start date or not showing up at all. The maximum financial consequence for booking a site and then not showing up is typically the forfeiture of the cost of a single night plus a reservation fee.
This bill requires any contract State Parks enters into, on and after January 1, 2024, for purposes of managing the State Parks reservation system to include provisions to incentivize early cancellations. Among other provisions, these include:
- Requiring Reserve California to send at least two reminder emails prior to the reservation start date to remind the reservation holder of their upcoming reservation, cancellation, and refund or credit options.
- Increasing the financial consequences of a late cancellation or no-show. In particular, reservation holders that do not show up may lose their entire reservation cost and reservation fees.
- Limiting new reservations for one calendar year for people who repeatedly book sites and fail to show up or cancel those reservations, leaving those sites unavailable for other people to access.
The reservation drawing pilot program proposed for up to five of the most popular state park units would test whether a drawing process might level the playing field for people to access the most competitive camping grounds. Those units could still have some sites available through the normal reservation process to provide a comparison.
According to the Author
"All Californians should have equal opportunities and access to reserve a campsite within our public parks. [This bill] promotes outdoor access for everyone by requiring State Parks to adopt modifications to the online camping registration system that deter late cancellations and no-shows."
Arguments in Support
The California State Parks Foundation writes in support, stating "[w]hile it is great that many of State Parks' camping and lodging sites are extremely popular, this popularity limits access to overnight stays at many of California's most beautiful locations. [This bill] proposes changes to the reservation system that incentivize early cancellations, which in turn should make more campsites available to everyone. This bill also requires State Parks to develop a pilot reservation lottery system for a subset of the most popular camping and lodging sites in order to make access to these sites more equitable."
Arguments in Opposition
No opposition on file.
FISCAL COMMENTS
According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, State Parks estimates one-time costs about $25.2 million to update its systemwide connectivity to comply with the reservation requirements in this bill, among other things, as well as ongoing costs of about $256,000 annually for two positions to monitor credit transactions and deposit processing, review and approve transactions, perform monthly reconciliation, and provide other accounting support (State Parks and Recreation Fund [SPRF] or General Fund).
VOTES:
ASM WATER, PARKS, AND WILDLIFE: 15-0-0
YES: Bauer-Kahan, Mathis, Alanis, Bennett, Megan Dahle, Davies, Friedman, Hart, Wood, Pellerin, Blanca Rubio, Schiavo, Villapudua, Ward, Weber
ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 11-0-5
YES: Holden, Bryan, Calderon, Wendy Carrillo, Mike Fong, Hart, Lowenthal, Papan, Pellerin, Weber, Ortega
ABS, ABST OR NV: Megan Dahle, Dixon, Mathis, Robert Rivas, Sanchez
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0-1
YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Cervantes, Chen, Connolly, Megan Dahle, Davies, Dixon, Flora, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, Mathis, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Robert Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Rendon
ABS, ABST OR NV: Essayli
UPDATED
VERSION: September 8, 2023
CONSULTANT: Keith Cialino / W., P., & W. / (916) 319-2096 FN: 0002368
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | AB 618 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 618
Author: Bauer-Kahan (D), et al.
Amended: 9/8/23 in Senate
Vote: 21
SENATE NATURAL RES. & WATER COMMITTEE: 9-0, 7/3/23
AYES: Min, Seyarto, Allen, Dahle, Eggman, Limón, McGuire, Padilla, Stern
NO VOTE RECORDED: Grove, Hurtado
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 5-0, 9/1/23
AYES: Portantino, Ashby, Bradford, Wahab, Wiener
NO VOTE RECORDED: Jones, Seyarto
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0, 5/31/23 - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: State parks: reservations
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST:
This bill requires any contract entered into by the Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks or department) to manage the department’s reservation system to reflect certain rules, authorizations, and requirements, as specified. Further, the bill requires State Parks, by January 1, 2025, and through January 1, 2029, to implement a reservation drawing for up to five of the most popular units of the state park system and to report on the outcomes of the reservation drawing to the Legislature.
Senate Floor Amendments of 9/8/23 change some “shall” statements to “may” statements and make some technical and clarifying changes. Specifically, the amendments:
- Require any contract entered into by State Parks for purposes of managing State Parks’ reservation system to reflect the authorizations of the bill.
- Authorize rather than require State Parks to impose restrictions on how reservations are made through the online reservation system, as specified.
- Provide that a reservationholder who cancels a reservation within a specified timeframe may (rather than shall) forfeit the entire cost of the reservation plus any reservation fees.
- Provide that a reservationholder who cancels a reservation or fails to show up within a specified timeframe may (rather than shall) forfeit the entire cost of the reservation plus any reservation fees.
- Provide that a reservation holder may (rather than be required to) either show up or provide notice of late arrival under specified circumstances in order to avoid forfeiting the entire cost of the reservation.
- Provide that a camp or lodging site for which a reservationholder cancels a reservation within a specified timeframe may (rather than be required to) be made available for reservation through the online reservation system.
- Make technical changes regarding communication to a reservationholder.
- Make clarifying changes regarding a report to the Legislature.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
- Establishes State Parks within the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) under the control of the director. (Public Resources Code (PRC) section (§) 501.)
- Vests State Parks with control of the state park system (PRC §5001) and directs State Parks to:
- Administer, protect, develop, and interpret the state park system for the use and enjoyment of the public. (PRC §5003.)
- Protect the state park system from damage and preserve the peace. (PRC §5008.)
- Authorizes, whenever significant savings can be achieved, State Parks to enter into a contract to operate a reservation system for the state park system, including the associated collection of state park fees. The contract may provide for the retention of a portion of every fee or the imposition of a surcharge as reimbursement for the cost of providing that service. (PRC §5010.1.)
- Limits occupancy by the same persons, equipment, or vehicles of any camping facility to a total of 30 days in any calendar year in that unit, and specifies that State Parks may establish shorter or longer limits of occupancy. (Title 14, California Code of Regulations §4455.)
This bill requires any contract entered into by State Parks to manage the department’s reservation system to reflect certain rules, authoriziations, and requirements, as specified. Further, this bill requires State Parks, by January 1, 2025, and through January 1, 2029, to implement a reservation drawing for up to five of the most popular units of the state park system and to report on the outcomes of the reservation drawing to the Legislature. Specifically, this bill:
- Requires, on and after January 1, 2024, any contract that State Parks enters into to manage the department’s reservation system to reflect the following rules, authorizations, and requirements:
- For units of the state park system operated by State Parks, the department may restrict a person from reserving a site under any of the following circumstances:
- For more than seven consecutive nights during peak season.
- If that person has occupied a site at the same unit proposed for reservation for more than 30 days in a calendar year.
- By using the online reservation system if that person failed to show up for at least three reservations in one calendar year.
- The person’s ability to reserve a site using the online reservation system may resume within one calendar year from the date of the reservationholder’s third failure to show up for a reservation.
- This shall not apply to reservations and occupation of sites obtained using walkup reservations or first-come-first-served systems.
- A reservationholder who cancels a reservation:
- Seven calendar days or more before the reservation start date shall receive a refund of the cost of the reservation, excluding any reservation fees;
- Within two to six calendar days before the reservation start date may forfeit the cost of the reservation for the first night plus any reservation fees; or,
- Fails to show up within 24 hours of the reservation start date may forfeit the entire cost of the reservation plus any reservation fees.
- A reservationholder may either show up or provide notice of late arrival to staff at the state park unit where the reservation is held within 24 hours of the reservation start date in order to avoid forfeiting the entire cost of the reservation.
- A camp or lodging site for which the reservationholder cancels a reservation three calendar days or more before the reservation start date may be made available for reservation through the online reservation system.
- A reservationholder shall receive at least two reminders via email or another form of communication that informs them of cancellation by specified times in order to receive a refund or a credit, as specified.
- As part of the communication described in e), a reservationholder shall be informed that the entire cost of the reservation plus any reservation fees may be forfeited if the reservationholder:
- Cancels within 24 hours of the reservation start date; or,
- Fails to either show up or notify staff at the state park unit where the reservation is held of a late arrival no later than 24 hours following the reservation start date.
- For units of the state park system operated by State Parks, the department may restrict a person from reserving a site under any of the following circumstances:
- Requires forfeited reservation costs, as specified, to be deposited into the State Parks and Recreation Fund and provides that this funding may be used, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for deferred maintenance projects.
- Provides that the rules and requirements in 1) only apply to a camp or lodging site that uses the reservation system, as specified.
- Requires State Parks, by January 1, 2025, and through January 1, 2029, to implement a reservation drawing for up to five of the most popular units of the state park system.
- Requires State Parks to determine the top units based on units that have the most booking interest six months before the reservation date.
- Authorizes State Parks, at any unit of the state park system determined as most popular to use the online reservation system for a subset of camping or lodging sites within that unit in order to provide an analysis between the reservation drawing process and the existing reservation system processes.
- Requires State Parks, by January 1, 2028, to provide a report to the Legislature on the outcomes of the reservation drawing, as specified.
Background
State Parks oversees 280 park units throughout the state, with more than 15,000 camp sites and other lodging options, like rustic cabins, cottages, tent cabins, floating campsites, and yurts. For many of these locations, reservations are available in advance of the arrival date through an online or phone-based reservation system called Reserve California. This system is managed by a contracted vendor. Sites become available for reservation on a rolling basis at 8 am, six months prior to the reservation start date.
In recent years, the demand for public campsites has skyrocketed as more people are heading outdoors for their well-being and mental health. Many camping and lodging locations are very popular and sites are reserved within minutes of being offered. Currently, there are few consequences for booking a site and then cancelling right before the reservation start date or not showing up at all. The maximum financial consequence for booking a site and then not showing up is typically the forfeiture of the cost of a single night plus a reservation fee.
As a result of no-shows, sites may appear to be unoccupied but they are reserved and cannot be made available to other interested people for at least 24 hours. There are anecdotal stories of fully reserved popular campgrounds with many empty spots due to no-shows. (See https://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/news-analysis/camping-reservations-no-shows/). According to State Parks, its cancellation rate is approximately 15 percent. It is unclear whether that figure includes no-shows.
Comments
Reforming the online reservation system. This bill requires any contract State Parks enters into, on and after January 1, 2024, for purposes of managing the State Parks reservation system – Reserve California – to include provisions to incentivize early cancellations for those who do not plan to use their reservations. Further, the reservation drawing pilot program proposed by this bill for the five most popular state park units would test whether a drawing process might level the playing field for people to access the most competitive camping grounds. Importantly, under this bill, those units would still have some sites available through the normal reservation process to provide a comparison.
Reservation lottery example. This bill defers to State Parks as to how to design an equitable reservation drawing process that increases access to some of the most popular camping sites. The National Park Service implemented an early access lottery system for the 2022 and 2023 camping seasons at the North Pines Campground in Yosemite National Park. The goals of the lottery were to create a better experience that reduces confusion and frustration for the highly competitive reservation process; offer a new method for reserving campsites at this high-demand location for a more equitable experience; and address visitor complaints about the perception of an unfair reservation process.
Successful lottery applicants had an opportunity to make a reservation for campsites in North Pines Campground during a less-competitive early access period. Following the early access period, any remaining availability was released on the usual on-sale dates. During the 2022 lottery pilot, there were 22,033 applications for the 640 time slots, resulting in a success rate of 2.9 percent. Of people awarded an early access time slot, 82.5 percent made a reservation, resulting in 48 percent of availability being booked. In 2023, there were 2,500 time slots, but data is not yet available about applications and bookings made.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No
According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, unknown, potentially significant ongoing costs, possibly in the hundreds of thousands or low millions of dollars annually (State Parks and Recreation Fund [SPRF] or General Fund) for State Parks to implement the provisions of this bill. In addition, to the extent that this bill results in forfeited reservations costs that otherwise would have been refunded, it could result in potential revenue increases of an unknown amount (SPRF).
SUPPORT: (Verified 9/8/23)
California State Parks Foundation
OPPOSITION: (Verified 9/8/23)
None received
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the author, “All Californians should have equal opportunities and access to reserve a campsite within our public parks. AB 618 promotes outdoor access for everyone by requiring State Parks to adopt modifications to the online camping registration system that deter late cancellations and no-shows.”
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0, 5/31/23
AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Cervantes, Chen, Connolly, Megan Dahle, Davies, Dixon, Flora, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, Mathis, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Robert Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Rendon
NO VOTE RECORDED: Essayli
Prepared by: Catherine Baxter / N.R. & W. / (916) 651-4116
9/11/23 13:09:21
**** END ****
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | AB 618 |
THIRD READING
Bill No: AB 618
Author: Bauer-Kahan (D), et al.
Amended: 9/1/23 in Senate
Vote: 21
SENATE NATURAL RES. & WATER COMMITTEE: 9-0, 7/3/23
AYES: Min, Seyarto, Allen, Dahle, Eggman, Limón, McGuire, Padilla, Stern
NO VOTE RECORDED: Grove, Hurtado
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 5-0, 9/1/23
AYES: Portantino, Ashby, Bradford, Wahab, Wiener
NO VOTE RECORDED: Jones, Seyarto
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0, 5/31/23 - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: State parks: reservations
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST:
This bill requires any contract entered into by the Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks or department) to manage the department’s reservation system to reflect certain rules and requirements, as specified. Further, the bill requires State Parks, by January 1, 2025, and through January 1, 2029, to implement a reservation drawing for up to five of the most popular units of the state park system and to report on the outcomes of the reservation drawing to the Legislature.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
- Establishes State Parks within the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) under the control of the director. Public Resources Code (PRC) section (§) 501.
- Vests State Parks with control of the state park system (PRC §5001) and directs State Parks to:
- Administer, protect, develop, and interpret the state park system for the use and enjoyment of the public. PRC §5003.
- Protect the state park system from damage and preserve the peace. PRC §5008.
- Authorizes, whenever significant savings can be achieved, State Parks to enter into a contract to operate a reservation system for the state park system, including the associated collection of state park fees. The contract may provide for the retention of a portion of every fee or the imposition of a surcharge as reimbursement for the cost of providing that service. PRC §5010.1.
- Limits occupancy by the same persons, equipment, or vehicles of any camping facility to a total of 30 days in any calendar year in that unit, and specifies that State Parks may establish shorter or longer limits of occupancy. Title 14, California Code of Regulations §4455.
This bill requires any contract entered into by State Parks to manage the department’s reservation system to reflect certain rules and requirements, as specified. Further, the bill requires State Parks, by January 1, 2025, and through January 1, 2029, to implement a reservation drawing for up to five of the most popular units of the state park system and to report on the outcomes of the reservation drawing to the Legislature. Specifically, this bill:
- Requires, on and after January 1, 2024, any contract that State Parks enters into to manage the department’s reservation system to reflect the following rules and requirements:
- For units of the state park system operated by State Parks, a person shall not reserve a site under any of the following circumstances:
- For more than seven consecutive nights during peak season.
- If that person has occupied a site at the same unit proposed for reservation for more than 30 days in a calendar year.
- By using the online reservation system if that person failed to show up for at least three reservations in one calendar year.
- The person’s ability to reserve a site using the online reservation system shall resume within one calendar year.
- This requirement shall not apply to reservations and occupation of sites obtained using walkup reservations or first-come-first-served systems.
- A reservationholder who cancels a reservation:
- Seven calendar days or more before the reservation start date shall receive a refund of the cost of the reservation, excluding any reservation fees.
- Within two to six calendar days before the reservation start date shall forfeit the cost of the reservation for the first night plus any reservation fees.
- Or fails to show up within 24 hours of the reservation start date shall forfeit the entire cost of the reservation plus any reservation fees.
- A reservationholder shall either show up or provide notice of late arrival to staff at the state park unit where the reservation is held within 24 hours of the reservation start date in order to avoid forfeiting the entire cost of the reservation.
- A camp or lodging site for which the reservationholder cancels a reservation three calendar days or more before the reservation start date shall be made available for reservation through the online reservation system.
- A reservationholder shall receive at least two reminders via email or another form of communication that encourage cancellation by specified times in order to receive a refund or a credit, as specified.
- As part of the communication described in (e), a reservationholder shall be informed that the entire cost of the reservation plus any reservation fees shall be forfeited if the reservationholder:
- Cancels within 24 hours of the reservation start date. OR
- Fails to either show up or notify staff at the state park unit where the reservation is held of a late arrival no later than 24 hours following the reservation start date.
- For units of the state park system operated by State Parks, a person shall not reserve a site under any of the following circumstances:
- Requires forfeited reservation costs, as specified, to be deposited into the State Parks and Recreation Fund and provides that this funding may be used, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for deferred maintenance projects.
- Provides that the rules and requirements in (1) only apply to a camp or lodging site that uses the reservation system, as specified.
- Requires State Parks, by January 1, 2025, and through January 1, 2029, to implement a reservation drawing for up to five of the most popular units of the state park system.
- Requires State Parks to determine the top units based on units that have the most booking interest six months before the reservation date.
- Authorizes State Parks, at any unit of the state park system determined as most popular to use the online reservation system for a subset of camping or lodging sites within that unit in order to provide an analysis between the reservation drawing process and the existing reservation system processes.
- Requires State Parks, by January 1, 2028, to provide a report to the Legislature on the outcomes of the reservation drawing, as specified.
Background
State Parks oversees 280 park units throughout the state, with more than 15,000 campsites and other lodging options, like rustic cabins, cottages, tent cabins, floating campsites, and yurts. For many of these locations, reservations are available in advance of the arrival date through an online or phone-based reservation system called Reserve California. This system is managed by a contracted vendor. Sites become available for reservation on a rolling basis at 8am, 6 months prior to the reservation start date.
In recent years, the demand for public campsites has skyrocketed as more people are heading outdoors for their well-being and mental health. Many camping and lodging locations are very popular and sites are reserved within minutes of being offered. Currently, there are few consequences for booking a site and then cancelling right before the reservation start date or not showing up at all. The maximum financial consequence for booking a site and then not showing up is typically the forfeiture of the cost of a single night plus a reservation fee.
As a result of no-shows, sites may appear to be unoccupied but they are reserved and cannot be made available to other interested people for at least 24 hours. There are anecdotal stories of fully reserved popular campgrounds with many empty spots due to no-shows. (See https://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/news-analysis/camping-reservations-no-shows/). According to State Parks, its cancellation rate is approximately 15 percent. It is unclear whether that figure includes no-shows.
Comments
Reforming the online reservation system. This bill requires any contract State Parks enters into, on and after January 1, 2024, for purposes of managing the State Parks reservation system – Reserve California – to include provisions to incentivize early cancellations for those who do not plan to use their reservations. Further, the reservation drawing pilot program proposed by the bill for the five most popular state park units would test whether a drawing process might level the playing field for people to access the most competitive camping grounds. Importantly, under the bill, those units would still have some sites available through the normal reservation process to provide a comparison.
Reservation lottery example. This bill defers to State Parks as to how to design an equitable reservation drawing process that increases access to some of the most popular camping sites. The National Park Service implemented an early access lottery system for the 2022 and 2023 camping seasons at the North Pines Campground in Yosemite National Park. The goals of the lottery were to create a better experience that reduces confusion and frustration for the highly competitive reservation process; offer a new method for reserving campsites at this high-demand location for a more equitable experience; and address visitor complaints about the perception of an unfair reservation process.
Successful lottery applicants had an opportunity to make a reservation for campsites in North Pines Campground during a less-competitive early access period. Following the early access period, any remaining availability was released on the usual on-sale dates. During the 2022 lottery pilot, there were 22,033 applications for the 640 time slots, resulting in a success rate of 2.9 percent. Of people awarded an early access time slot, 82.5 percent made a reservation, resulting in 48 percent of availability being booked. In 2023, there were 2,500 time slots, but data is not yet available about applications and bookings made.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No
According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, unknown, potentially significant ongoing costs, possibly in the hundreds of thousands or low millions of dollars annually (State Parks and Recreation Fund [SPRF] or General Fund) for State Parks to implement the provisions of this bill. In addition, to the extent that this bill results in forfeited reservations costs that otherwise would have been refunded, it could result in potential revenue increases of an unknown amount (SPRF).
SUPPORT: (Verified 9/1/23)
California State Parks Foundation
OPPOSITION: (Verified 9/1/23)
None received
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the author, “All Californians should have equal opportunities and access to reserve a campsite within our public parks. AB 618 promotes outdoor access for everyone by requiring State Parks to adopt modifications to the online camping registration system that deter late cancellations and no-shows.”
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0, 5/31/23
AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Cervantes, Chen, Connolly, Megan Dahle, Davies, Dixon, Flora, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, Mathis, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Robert Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Rendon
NO VOTE RECORDED: Essayli
Prepared by: Catherine Baxter / N.R. & W. / (916) 651-4116
9/2/23 12:11:05
SENATE COMMITTEE ON
Senator Anthony Portantino, Chair
2023 - 2024 Regular Session
AB 618 (Bauer-Kahan) - State parks: reservations
Version: | Policy Vote: |
Urgency: | Mandate: |
Hearing Date: | Consultant: |
Bill Summary:
This bill would require changes to the Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) camping reservation system, and would institute a reservation lottery drawing for up to five of the most popular camping and lodging sites.
*********** ANALYSIS ADDENDUM – SUSPENSE FILE ***********
The following information is revised to reflect amendments
adopted by the committee on September 1, 2023
Fiscal Impact:
- Unknown, potentially significant ongoing costs, possibly in the hundreds of thousands or low millions of dollars annually (State Parks and Recreation Fund [SPRF] or General Fund) for State Parks to implement the provisions of this bill. In addition, to the extent that this bill results in forfeited reservations costs that otherwise would have been refunded, it could result in potential revenue increases of an unknown amount (SPRF).
Committee Amendments:
These amendments would strike the requirement to offer walkup site reservations and show their real-time availability online, eliminate the issuance of reservation credits, and make other changes. Specifically, these amendments would:
- Apply changes to the units of the state park system operated by the department.
- Eliminate requiring the department to issue credits that can be used for future reservations in certain circumstances, and instead provide for partially refunded reservation costs as specified.
- More closely align the timing of cancellations, notices of late arrival, and no shows with current State Parks policies.
- Strike the requirement that State Parks make certain sites available for walkup reservations and show their real-time availability online.
- Allow reminders to be communicated in forms other than email.
- Specify that forfeited reservation costs shall be deposited into the State Parks and Recreation Fund.
- Strike requirement that the reservation drawing be held at least once per year.
- Clarify reporting requirement to report on the outcomes of the reservation drawing.
-- END --
SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Senator Anthony Portantino, Chair
2023 - 2024 Regular Session
AB 618 (Bauer-Kahan) - State parks: reservations
Version: July 5, 2023 | Policy Vote: N.R. & W. 9 - 0 |
Urgency: No | Mandate: No |
Hearing Date: August 14, 2023 | Consultant: Ashley Ames |
Bill Summary:
This bill would require changes to the Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) camping reservation system, and would institute a reservation lottery drawing for up to five of the most popular camping and lodging sites.
Fiscal Impact:
- State Parks estimates one-time costs about $25.2 million to update its systemwide connectivity to comply with the reservation requirements in this bill, among other things, as well as ongoing costs of about $256,000 annually for 2 positions to monitor credit transactions and deposit processing, review and approve transactions, perform monthly reconciliation, and provide other accounting support (State Parks and Recreation Fund [SPRF] or General Fund).
Background:
The state park system, managed by State Parks, contains nearly 280 parks and serves about 70 million visitors each year. The parks cost over $400 million a year to operate. These costs are mainly supported by the state General Fund and revenue generated by the parks, including roughly $100 million in fees paid by park users for day use, camping, and special events.
There are almost 15,000 campsites within the state park system. Similar to park units, campsites have different classifications. However, these classifications are typically applied to a specific campsite rather than an entire campground or park unit. Campsite classifications generally reflect the level of amenities offered and the features of a site. For example, so-called "primitive" sites might be more remote and provide little more than a clearing for your tent. "Developed" campsites have more amenities that can include vehicle access, fire pits or fire rings, showers, and a water supply. "Camper hook-up" sites often include electrical and water hook ups for campers or motor homes as well as dump stations to dispose of sewage. "Premium" sites often include a unique feature, such as ocean views.
General Fund and Fees Are Main Funding Sources for Park Operations. Park operations is funded from several sources. About one third is funded from the General Fund, and one quarter comes from park user fees. Other funding sources for state park operations include revenue from fuel taxes, federal highway dollars for trails, the cigarette surtax, and various special funds designated for natural resource habitat protection.
Individual parks generate revenue primarily from park user fees and concession agreements. Park users pay fees to enter state parks, as well as for parking and specific recreational activities, such as the use of overnight campsites. Parks also receive revenue from contracts with state park concessionaires that provide certain services at state parks, such as restaurants, rentals, or gift shops. Revenues from park user fees and concession agreements are deposited into SPRF, which is administered by DPR. In general, about two-thirds of revenue and transfers to SPRF is from park user fees. The other third is mostly revenue from concessionaire agreements and motor vehicle fuel tax revenue.
Camping reservations. For many campsites and lodging locations, reservations are available six months in advance of the arrival date through an online or phone-based reservation system called Reserve California, which is managed by a contracted vendor. Not all state park units utilize the Reserve California system, with roughly 150 park units lacking internet connectivity. The current reservation system contract expires in 2024. State Parks anticipates issuing a request for proposals (RFP) in Spring 2023 and awarding a new contract by August 2023.
Many camping and lodging locations are very popular and some sites are reserved within minutes of becoming available. State Parks estimates there are about 10 very popular locations. All sites become available for reservations at 8 AM six months prior to the reservation start date. However, there are anecdotal stories of fully reserved popular campsites with many empty spots due to no-shows. State Parks estimates a system wide cancellation rate of 15 percent. It is unclear if this figure includes no-shows.
The maximum financial consequence for booking a site and then not showing up is typically the forfeiture of the cost of a single night plus a reservation fee. The current reservation system vendor does not send reminder emails to reservation holders prior to the reservation start date.
National park reservation lotteries. The National Park Service implemented an early access lottery system for the 2022 and 2023 camping seasons at the North Pines Campground in Yosemite National Park. The goals of the lottery were to: create a better experience that reduces confusion and frustration for the highly competitive reservation process; offer a new method for reserving campsites at this high-demand location for a more equitable experience; and address visitor complaints about the perception of an unfair reservation process.
Successful lottery applicants had an opportunity to make a reservation for campsites in North Pines Campground during a less-competitive early access period. Following the early access period, any remaining availability was released on the usual on-sale dates (five months in advance on the 15th of the month). During the 2022 lottery pilot, there were 22,033 applications for the 640 time slots, resulting in a success rate of 2.9 percent. Of people awarded an early access time slot, 82.5 percent made a reservation, resulting in 48 percent of availability being booked. In 2023, there were 2,500 time slots, but data is not yet available about applications and bookings made.
Annual state park passes. State Parks has several annual passes that grant day use to pass holders. Camping discounts are not typical for annual pass holders, except for the Disabled Discount Pass and the Distinguished Veteran Pass. The Golden Bear Pass is offered free to CalWORKs recipients, supplemental security income (SSI) recipients, and those whose incomes fall under a certain threshold. Since the five-dollar fee was waived and enhanced coordination with CalWORKS began in 2021, the number of annual Golden Bear Passholders has increased from roughly 2,000 to 35,000 in 2022.
Towards equitable access. In recent years the demand for public campsites has increased as more people are heading to the outdoors for their well-being and mental health. It is the mission of State Parks to create “opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation” for all Californians. However, not all Californians have historically enjoyed the same access to public spaces such as parks and beaches. Systemic barriers persist in keeping communities of color, persons with disabilities, and other groups out of public parks and beaches. State Parks has publicly recognized these systemic barriers to access and has committed to providing equitable access to high-quality outdoor recreation for underrepresented park users and underserved communities.
The California Outdoors for All initiative is focused on equitably expanding outdoor access to all Californians through focused investments in open space infrastructure, outdoor programming, and improvements to state systems. These efforts seek to undo deeply ingrained inequities, and preserve the cherished natural, cultural, and tribal resources as the fight against climate change intensifies. Additionally, the Outdoors for All initiative further advances two other state priorities, Nature Based Solutions and 30x30, by investing in California’s public lands and natural resources. A draft strategy is planned for release in Spring 2023.
Proposed Law:
This bill would require changes to the State Parks camping reservation system, and would institute a reservation lottery drawing for up to five of the most popular camping and lodging sites. Specifically, this bill would:
- Require, beginning January 1, 2024, any contract State Parks enters into to manage its reservation system to include all of the following:
- A limit of 7 consecutive nights for reservations during peak season.
- A limit of 30 days in a calendar year for a person to occupy a site in the same park or unitl.
- Require, if someone cancels a reservation 8 calendar days or more before the reservation start date, to receive a refund of the reservation cost, excluding reservation fees.
- Require, if someone cancels a reservation within 7 calendar days of the reservation start date, to receive a credit, excluding reservation fees, that may be used for a future reservation within 5 years.
- Require, if someone cancels a reservation on the day of the reservation or after or fails to show up, to forfeit the reservation cost.
- Require a site for which the reservation is cancelled 3 calendar days or more to be made available for reservation through the online reservation system.
- Require a site for which the reservation is cancelled within 3 calendar days, the person with a reservation does not show up and does not provide advance notice to state park staff of a late arrival, or has not been reserved up to 2 days prior to be made available up walkup reservation.
- Require sites available for walkup reservation to be displayed in real time as available on the online reservation system, but not be available for reservation through the online system.
- Require the contractor to send at least two reminder emails to reservation holders, with the following information:
- Ten days before the reservation start date, encouraging cancellation before seven calendar days to receive a refund, excluding any reservation fees.
- Four days before the reservation start date, encouraging cancellation before three calendar days to receive a credit, excluding any reservation fees.
- Require the contractor to notify the reservation holder that the entire reservation cost will be forfeited with no credits given as specified.
- Authorize State Parks, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to use the forfeited reservation costs for deferred maintenance projects.
- Require, by January 1, 2025, until January 1, 2029, State Parks to implement a reservation drawing for up to five of the most popular units of the state park system.
- Authorize State Parks to determine the top units based on units that have the most booking interest six months before the reservation date.
- Require the reservation drawing to occur at least once per year for each of the selected units.
- Authorize State Parks to continue to use the reservation system in (1) for the most popular units of the state park system for a subset of camping or lodging sites in order to provide an analysis between the reservation drawing process and the existing reservation system processes.
- Require, by January 1, 2028, State Parks to provide a report to the Legislature regarding the reservation drawing, including the analysis from (c), as specified.
Related Legislation:
AB 148 (Committee on Budget), Chapter 115, Statutes of 2021, eliminates the Golden Bear Pass fee through July 1, 2024, among other provisions.
Staff Comments:
The share of costs that should be borne by park users is a policy decision about the state's priorities for the park system. There is not necessarily a "right" level of fees or share of costs that park users should pay. Instead, the Legislature must weigh revenue, access, and preservation goals to determine what fee levels best balance all three in order to further its priorities for the state park system.
The amount of funding that comes from visitors versus public funds depends on how the Legislature prioritizes the goals of (1) revenue generation to support park activities, (2) broad public access, and (3) the preservation of natural and historic resources. While these goals are sometimes complimentary, they can also sometimes conflict, resulting in trade-offs among them.
On the one hand, generating fee revenue helps to support the state park system and fund a wide range of activities and personnel that benefit visitors and the public. Fees can also influence which parks people visit and when they go. For example, charging lower fees during weekdays or the off-season can encourage users to visit parks when they are less crowded. Therefore, fee levels can provide superintendents with a tool to better distribute park demand in order to reduce overcrowding at popular parks during peak times and encourage visitorship at less visited parks or during slower periods. This can help support resource preservation goals at parks where high visitorship can strain natural habitat or infrastructure. It can also help improve public access by providing lower-cost opportunities to visit parks that are less popular or during off-peak times.
On the other hand, there are inherent trade-offs with park user fees. If fees reach a certain level, they can potentially reduce access to state parks, particularly for lower-income individuals and families. This could be detrimental to other state goals, such as the California Outdoors for All initiative. Moreover, the state has an interest in Californians visiting their natural and cultural resources, learning about their state's history, and having opportunities for outdoor recreation and associated health benefits. Keeping fees low encourages people of all income levels to visit state parks.
Historically, the Legislature has recognized that park user fees are one appropriate source of funding to support state parks. User fees have traditionally played a significant role in supporting the park system, though the amount of park operations expenditures covered by fees has fluctuated over time. Relying on user fees to fund park operations makes sense. Park users receive direct benefits from visiting parks, such as recreational opportunities (like hiking and swimming). Moreover, providing these benefits drives a significant portion of state operational costs. For example, the provision of well-maintained trails, educational exhibits near points of interest, and restrooms at trailheads directly benefit park visitors. In addition, consumers typically pay for recreational activities and other services that provide direct benefits when offered by the private market.
However, State Parks also provide significant public benefits. Many valuable public resources—such as unique natural features, scenic landscapes, historical monuments, and wildlife habitat—are located in state parks. For example, Natural Bridges State Beach features a naturally occurring mudstone bridge that was formed over a million years ago and was carved by the Pacific Ocean over time. The park also provides habitat for nearly 150,000 monarch butterflies that migrate as far as 2,000 miles to the park. Another park, Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument, contains publisher William Randolph Hearst's 115-room "Hearst Castle," designed by California architect Julia Morgan. These resources are an important part of California's cultural identity and history, and it is reasonable for some of the costs associated with preserving and maintaining these resources to be supported by a broader segment of Californians through public funding sources, such as the General Fund. Likewise, the state has an interest in providing equitable access to high-quality outdoor recreation for underrepresented park users and underserved communities, and providing state funds for these purposes makes sense.
.
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER
Senator Dave Min, Chair
2023 - 2024 Regular
Bill No: AB Hearing Date: July 3, 2023
Author: | Bauer-Kahan | ||
Version: | June 19, 2023 Amended | ||
Urgency: | No | Fiscal: | Yes |
Consultant: | Catherine Baxter | ||
Subject: State parks: reservations
BACKGROUND AND EXISTING LAW
Existing law:
- Establishes the Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) within the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) under the control of the director. Public Resources Code (PRC) section (§) 501.
- Vests State Parks with control of the state park system (PRC §5001) and directs State Parks to:
- Administer, protect, develop, and interpret the state park system for the use and enjoyment of the public. PRC §5003.
- Protect the state park system from damage and preserve the peace. PRC §5008.
- Authorizes, whenever significant savings can be achieved, State Parks to enter into a contract to operate a reservation system for the state park system, including the associated collection of state park fees. The contract may provide for the retention of a portion of every fee or the imposition of a surcharge as reimbursement for the cost of providing that service. PRC §5010.1.
- Limits occupancy by the same persons, equipment, or vehicles of any camping facility to a total of 30 days in any calendar year in that unit, and specifies that State Parks may establish shorter or longer limits of occupancy. Title 14, California Code of Regulations §4455.
Background:
State Parks oversees 280 park units throughout the state, with more than 15,000 campsites and other lodging options, like rustic cabins, cottages, tent cabins, floating campsites, and yurts. For many of these locations, reservations are available in advance of the arrival date through an online or phone-based reservation system called Reserve California. This system is managed by a contracted vendor. Sites become available for reservation on a rolling basis at 8am, 6 months prior to the reservation start date.
In recent years, the demand for public campsites has skyrocketed as more people are heading outdoors for their well-being and mental health. Many camping and lodging locations are very popular and sites are reserved within minutes of being offered. Currently, there are few consequences for booking a site and then cancelling right before the reservation start date or not showing up at all. The maximum financial consequence for booking a site and then not showing up is typically the forfeiture of the cost of a single night plus a reservation fee.
As a result of no-shows, sites may appear to be unoccupied but they are reserved and cannot be made available to other interested people for at least 24 hours. There are anecdotal stories of fully reserved popular campgrounds with many empty spots due to no-shows. (See https://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/news-analysis/camping-reservations-no-shows/). According to State Parks, its cancellation rate is approximately 15 percent. It is unclear whether that figure includes no-shows.
PROPOSED LAW
This bill would require changes to State Parks’ reservation system and require State Parks to institute a reservation drawing for up to five of the most popular camping and lodging sites. Specifically, this bill would:
- Require, beginning January 1, 2024, any contract State Parks enters into to manage its reservation system to include all of the following:
- Require, if someone cancels within seven days of the reservation start date, a credit, valid for five years, which can be used for future reservations.
- Require, if someone cancels within three days of the reservation start date, the campsite or lodging site to be returned to the online inventory for reservation.
- Require the contractor to send at least two reminder emails to reservation holders, with the following information:
- Ten days before the reservation start date, encouraging cancellation before seven calendar days to receive a refund, excluding any reservation fees.
- Four days before the reservation start date, encouraging cancellation before three calendar days to receive a credit, excluding any reservation fees.
- Require the contractor to notify the reservation holder that the entire reservation cost will be forfeited with no credits given if the individual does not show up within 24 hours of the reservation start time and does not provide advance notice to state park staff.
- Authorize State Parks, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to use the forfeited reservation costs for deferred maintenance projects.
- Make any unreserved camp or lodging sites or camp or lodging sites where the reservation holder does not show up, as specified, available for walkup reservations.
- Provide real-time availability of any sites described in (e) that are available for walkup reservations.
- For a reservation holder who, at least three times in the a calendar year, fails to show up within 24 hours of a reservation start time and fails to provide advance notice to staff at the state park, provide that new reservations for this individual shall be limited.
- Provide that (a) through (h) only applies to a camp or lodging site that uses the online reservation system operated by, or on behalf of, the state park system.
- Prohibit a person from reserving a site if that person has occupied a site at the same unit of a state park system for more than 30 total days in a calendar year.
- Limit a reservation at a site in a unit of the state park system to no more than seven consecutive nights during peak season.
- Require, by January 1, 2025, until January 1, 2029, State Parks to implement a reservation drawing for up to five of the most popular units of the state park system.
- Authorize State Parks to determine the top units based on units that have the most booking interest six months before the reservation date.
- Require the reservation drawing to occur at least once per year for each of the selected units.
- Authorize State Parks to continue to use the reservation system in (1) for the most popular units of the state park system for a subset of camping or lodging sites in order to provide an analysis between the reservation drawing process and the existing reservation system processes.
- Require, by January 1, 2028, State Parks to provide a report to the Legislature regarding the reservation drawing, including the analysis from (c), as specified.
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT
According to the author, “All Californians should have equal opportunities and access to reserve a campsite within our public parks. AB 618 promotes outdoor access for everyone by requiring State Parks to adopt modifications to the online camping registration system that deter late cancellations and no-shows.”
According to California State Parks Foundation, “While it is great that many of State Parks’ camping and lodging sites are extremely popular, this popularity limits access to overnight stays at many of California’s most beautiful locations. AB 618 proposes changes to the reservation system that incentivize early cancellations, which in turn should make more campsites available to everyone. This bill also requires State Parks to develop a pilot reservation lottery system for a subset of the most popular camping and lodging sites in order to make access to these sites more equitable.”
ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION
None received.
COMMENTS
Reforming the online reservation system. This bill requires any contract State Parks enters into, on and after January 1, 2024, for purposes of managing the State Parks reservation system – Reserve California – to include provisions to incentivize early cancellations. It would do so by:
- Requiring Reserve California to send at least two reminder emails prior to the reservation start date to remind the reservation holder of their upcoming reservation, cancellation, and refund or credit options. State Parks is in the process of implementing something similar for some units through pre check-in via text and automatic reminder emails and texts.
- Increasing the financial consequences of a late cancellation or no-show. In particular, these reservation holders would lose their entire reservation cost and reservation fees.
- Limiting new reservations for people who repeatedly book sites and fail to show up or cancel those reservation, leaving those sites unavailable for other people to access. The Wyoming State Parks system has implemented a similar policy.
The bill also makes late cancellation and no-show sites available for walkup reservation, which should show up in real time on the Reserve California website. Finally, the reservation drawing pilot program proposed by the bill for the five most popular state park units would test whether a drawing process might level the playing field for people to access the most competitive camping grounds. Importantly, under the bill, those units would still have some sites available through the normal reservation process to provide a comparison.
Reservation lottery example. This bill defers to State Parks as to how to design an equitable reservation drawing process that increases access to some of the most popular camping sites. The National Park Service implemented an early access lottery system for the 2022 and 2023 camping seasons at the North Pines Campground in Yosemite National Park. The goals of the lottery were to create a better experience that reduces confusion and frustration for the highly competitive reservation process; offer a new method for reserving campsites at this high-demand location for a more equitable experience; and address visitor complaints about the perception of an unfair reservation process.
Successful lottery applicants had an opportunity to make a reservation for campsites in North Pines Campground during a less-competitive early access period. Following the early access period, any remaining availability was released on the usual on-sale dates. During the 2022 lottery pilot, there were 22,033 applications for the 640 time slots, resulting in a success rate of 2.9 percent. Of people awarded an early access time slot, 82.5 percent made a reservation, resulting in 48 percent of availability being booked. In 2023, there were 2,500 time slots, but data is not yet available about applications and bookings made.
Committee amendments. While the intent of the bill is clear, the language is a little confusing. There appear to be some implied rules and other provisions that may be located in the wrong part of the bill. The Committee may wish to consider amending section one of the bill to spell out each of the rules and clarify the requirements. Mostly, these changes are non-substantive and minor. One substantive change, however, would limit the ban to one calendar year for people who repeatedly book sites and fail to cancel or show up, leaving those sites unavailable for others to access. See amendments.
SUGGESTED AMENDMENTS
Strike section 1 and replace it with the following:
SECTION 1. Section 5010.1.5 is added to the Public Resources Code, to read:
5010.1.5. (a) On and after January 1, 2024, any contract the department enters into for purposes of managing the department’s reservation system pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 5010.1 shall reflect the rules and requirements of this section.
(b) A person may not reserve a site in a unit of the state park system for more than seven consecutive nights during peak season.
(c) A person may not reserve a site in a unit of the state park system if that person has occupied a site at the same unit proposed for reservation for more than 30 days in a calendar year.
(d) A person may not reserve a site in a unit of the state park system through the online reservation system for one calendar year if that person, at least three times in one calendar year, fails to show up for the reservation. During this time, this person may reserve a site through the walkup reservation system.
(e) A reservation holder who cancels a reservation eight calendar days or more before the reservation start date shall receive a refund of the cost of the reservation, excluding any reservation fees.
(f) A reservation holder who cancels a reservation within seven calendar days before the reservation start date shall receive a credit, excluding any reservation fees, that can be used for a future reservation within five years of the original reservation start date.
(g) A reservation holder who cancels a reservation on the day of the reservation start date or after or fails to show up for the reservation shall forfeit the entire cost of the reservation and shall not receive a credit.
(h) A reservation holder must show up on the day of the reservation start date or provide advance notice to staff at the state park unit where the reservation is held that the reservation holder will arrive late to not forfeit the entire cost of the reservation.
(i) A camp or lodging site where the reservation holder cancels a reservation three calendar days or more before the reservation start date shall be made available for reservation through the online reservation system.
(j) The following shall be made available for walkup reservation. They shall show up in real-time as available on the online reservation system, but shall not be available for reservation through this system.
(1) A camp or lodging site where the reservation holder cancels a reservation on the day of the reservation start date or up to two calendars days prior to the reservation start date.
(2) A camp or lodging site where the reservation holder does not show up on the day of the reservation start date and does not provide advance notice to staff at the state park unit where the reservation is held that the reservation holder will arrive late.
(3) A camp or lodging site that has not been reserved up to two days prior to the start date.
(k) A reservation holder shall receive at least two reminder emails, as follows:
(1) Ten days before the reservation start date, that encourages cancellation at least eight days before the reservation start date to receive a refund of the cost of the reservation, excluding any reservation fees.
(2) Four days before the reservation start date, encouraging cancellation before the reservation start date to receive a credit for the cost of the reservation, excluding any reservation fees.
(l) As part of the email communication described in subdivision (k), a reservation holder shall be informed that the entire cost of the reservation shall be forfeited, and no credits shall be given, if the reservation holder does either of the following:
(1) Cancels on the day of the reservation start date.
(2) Fails to show up on the day of the reservation start date or provide advance notice to staff at the state park unit where the reservation is held that the reservation holder will arrive late.
(m) Upon appropriation by the Legislature, the department may use the forfeited reservation costs, described in subdivisions (g) and (h), for purposes of deferred maintenance projects.
(n) This section shall only apply to a camp or lodging site that uses the reservation system described in subdivision (b) of Section 5010.1.
SUPPORT
California State Parks Foundation
OPPOSITION
None received.
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ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
ATR Bill Id:AB 618
Author:(Bauer-Kahan)
As Amended Ver:May 18, 2023
Majority vote
SUMMARY
Requires changes to the Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) reservation system and requires State Parks to institute a reservation lottery system at up to five of the most popular camping and lodging sites.
Major Provisions
- Requires any contract State Parks enters into, on and after January 1, 2024, for purposes of managing the State Parks reservation system, to include, but not be limited to, the following provisions:
- A cancellation made within seven calendar days of the reservation start date shall result in credit that can be used for future reservations within five years of the original reservation start date;
- The entire reservation cost shall be forfeited, and no credits shall be given, if the reservation holder does not show up within 24 hours of the reservation start time and the reservation holder has not provided advance notice to staff at the state park where the reservation is held;
- The contractor shall send at least two reminder emails to reservation holders; and
- Display the real-time availability of sites available for walk-up reservations.
- Requires State Parks to, on or before January 1, 2025, and until January 1, 2029, implement a reservation lottery system for up to five of the most popular units of the state park system, as determined by State Parks based on units that have the most booking interest six months before the reservation date. Requires State Parks to report, on or before January 1, 2028, information regarding the reservation lottery system to the Legislature.
COMMENTS
State Parks oversees 280 park units throughout the state, with more than 15,000 campsites and other lodging options, like rustic cabins, cottages, tent cabins, floating campsites, and yurts. For many of these locations, reservations are available six months in advance of the arrival date through an online or phone-based reservation system called Reserve California, which is managed by a contracted vendor. Not all state park units utilize the Reserve California system, with roughly 150 park units lacking internet connectivity. The current reservation system contract expires in 2024. State Parks anticipates issuing a request for proposals (RFP) in Spring 2023 and awarding a new contract by August 2023.
Many camping and lodging locations are very popular and some sites are reserved within minutes of becoming available. State Parks estimates there are about 10 very popular locations. All sites become available for reservations at 8 a.m. six months prior to the reservation start date. However, there are anecdotal stories of fully reserved popular campsites with many empty spots due to no-shows. State Parks estimates a system wide cancellation rate of 15%. It is unclear if this figure includes no-shows.
This bill requires any contract State Parks enters into, on and after January 1, 2024, for purposes of managing the State Parks reservation system to include provisions to incentivize early cancellations by increasing the financial consequences of a late cancellation or no-show. For example, under this bill, the maximum financial consequence would be the entire reservation cost plus fees for reservation holders that do not show up for their reserved site.
According to the Author
"All Californians should have equal opportunities and access to reserve a campsite within our public parks. [This bill] promotes outdoor access for everyone by requiring State Parks to adopt modifications to the online camping registration system that deter late cancellations and no-shows."
Arguments in Support
The California State Parks Foundation writes in support, stating that this bill "proposes changes to the reservation system that incentivize early cancellations, which in turn should make more campsites available to everyone. […] [E]veryone should get to enjoy our amazing state parks and [this bill] implements common sense changes to get more people into these beautiful places.
Arguments in Opposition
No opposition on file.
FISCAL COMMENTS
According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, State Parks estimates ongoing annual costs of approximately $256,000 (General Fund) for two positions in its accounting office to monitor and approve credit transactions, process deposits, and perform monthly reconciliation.
VOTES
ASM WATER, PARKS, AND WILDLIFE: 15-0-0
YES: Bauer-Kahan, Mathis, Alanis, Bennett, Megan Dahle, Davies, Friedman, Hart, Wood, Pellerin, Blanca Rubio, Schiavo, Villapudua, Ward, Weber
ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 11-0-5
YES: Holden, Bryan, Calderon, Wendy Carrillo, Mike Fong, Hart, Lowenthal, Papan, Pellerin, Weber, Ortega
ABS, ABST OR NV: Megan Dahle, Dixon, Mathis, Robert Rivas, Sanchez
UPDATED
VERSION: May 18, 2023
CONSULTANT: Keith Cialino / W., P., & W. / (916) 319-2096 FN: 0000763
Date of Hearing: May 3, 2023
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Chris Holden, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 618
Author:(Bauer-Kahan) – As Amended Ver:March 20, 2023
Policy Committee: | Water, Parks and Wildlife | Vote: | 15 - 0 |
|
| ||
|
|
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill requires changes to the Department of Parks and Recreation’s (State Parks) reservation system, requires State Parks to institute a reservation lottery system, and grants a discount on camping for certain annual pass holders.
Specifically, this bill, among other things:
- Requires, on and after January 1, 2024, any contract State Parks enters into for purposes of managing the department’s reservation system, to include the following provisions:
- Specific policies for cancellations made before seven days, within seven days, before three days, and up to three days before the reservation start date, as well as for no-shows within 24 hours of the reservation start time. Authorizes State Parks, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to use the forfeited reservation costs from no-shows for deferred maintenance projects.
- The contractor shall send at least two reminder emails to reservation holders.
- The State Parks reservation website must display the real-time availability of sites available for walk-up reservations.
- A person shall not be permitted to reserve a site at the same unit of the state park system for more than 30 total days in a calendar year.
- A reservation at a site in a unit of the state park system shall not be for more than seven consecutive nights during peak season.
- Requires, on or before January 1, 2025, and until January 1, 2029, State Parks to implement a reservation lottery system for up to five of the most popular units of the state park system. Requires State Parks, on or before January 1, 2028, to report specified information regarding the reservation lottery system to the Legislature.
- Requires State Parks to grant a 25% discount for certain campsite or lodging reservations to the bearer of a “Golden Bear Pass.”
FISCAL EFFECT:
1) According to State Parks, roughly 150 units of the state park system do not have internet connectivity. State Parks estimates one-time costs of approximately $25 million (General Fund) over an undetermined number of years to establish system-wide connectivity necessary to ensure all units of the state park system can implement the new reservation features.
2) Revenue loss of an unknown but significant amount, possibly in the low millions of dollars, resulting from the 25% discount offered to Golden Bear Pass holders for campsite or lodging reservations (State Park and Recreation Fund). There are roughly 41,000 Golden Bear Pass holders. Fees for campsites (both individual and group sites) and other lodging options offered by State Parks (such as cabins, cottages, and yurts) vary from about $30 to $350 per night. Assuming 75% of Golden Bear Pass holders each reserve a campsite that costs $45 per night for three nights at a 25% discount, State Parks would incur an annual revenue loss of approximately $1 million.
3) State Parks estimates ongoing annual costs of approximately $256,000 (General Fund) for two positions in its accounting office to monitor and approve credit transactions, process deposits, and perform monthly reconciliation.
COMMENTS:
1) Purpose. According to the author:
All Californians should have equal opportunities and access to reserve a campsite within our public parks. [This bill] promotes outdoor access for everyone by requiring State Parks to adopt modifications to the online camping registration system that deter late cancellations and no-shows.
2) Background. State Parks Reservation System. State Parks oversees 280 park units throughout the state, with more than 15,000 campsites and other lodging options like rustic cabins, cottages, tent cabins, floating campsites, and yurts. For many of these locations, reservations are available six months in advance of the arrival date through an online or phone-based reservation system called Reserve California, which is managed by a contracted vendor. The current $85 million reservation system contract was approved in August 2017 and expires this July. State Parks anticipates issuing a request for proposals (RFP) this spring and awarding a new contract by August 2023. The author may wish to consider including an urgency clause to align the goals of this bill with the anticipated timing of the new contract.
As detailed in the Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee analysis of this bill, many camping and lodging locations are very popular and some sites are reserved within minutes of becoming available. However, there are anecdotal stories of fully reserved popular campsites with many empty spots due to no-shows. State Parks estimates a system-wide cancellation rate of 15%. It is unclear if this figure includes no-shows. The maximum financial consequence for booking a site and then not showing up is typically the forfeiture of the cost of a single night plus a reservation fee. The current reservation system vendor does not send reminder emails to reservation holders prior to the reservation start date.
This bill requires any contract State Parks enters into, on and after January 1, 2024, for purposes of managing the State Parks reservation system to include provisions to incentivize early cancellations by increasing the financial consequences of a late cancellation or no-show. For example, under this bill, for reservation holders that do not show up to their reserved site, the maximum financial consequence would be the entire reservation cost plus fees.
Reservation Lottery Example. The National Park Service implemented an early access lottery system for the 2022 and 2023 camping seasons at the North Pines Campground in Yosemite National Park. The goals of the lottery were to create a better experience that reduces confusion and frustration for the highly competitive reservation process; offer a new method for reserving campsites at this high-demand location for a more equitable experience; and address visitor complaints about the perception of an unfair reservation process.
Successful lottery applicants had an opportunity to make a reservation for campsites in North Pines Campground during a less competitive early access period. Following the early access period, any remaining availability was released on the usual on-sale dates (five months in advance on the 15th of the month). During the 2022 lottery pilot, there were 22,033 applications for the 640 time slots, resulting in a success rate of 2.9%. Of people awarded an early access time slot, 82.5% made a reservation, resulting in 48% of availability being booked. In 2023, there were 2,500 time slots, but data is not yet available about applications and bookings made.
This bill requires State Parks to implement a reservation lottery system for up to five of the most popular units of the state park system and report information regarding the reservation lottery system to the Legislature.
Golden Bear Pass. The Golden Bear Pass is offered for free to CalWORKs recipients, supplemental security income recipients, and those whose incomes fall under a certain threshold. Since the $5 fee was waived and enhanced coordination with CalWORKS began in 2021, the number of annual Golden Bear Pass holders has increased from roughly 2,000 to 41,000.
State Park and Recreation Fund (SPRF). Generating sufficient, long-term sources of funding for State Parks operations and maintenance has been an ongoing challenge, raising the question of how far the state should go in discounting fees. The more the state discounts fees, the more the state will need to offset lost revenues with the General Fund or cut or eliminate other improvements, services, and programs. This is particularly relevant as State Parks’ large backlog of deferred maintenance is estimated at over $1 billion.
The SPRF is the department’s primary ongoing funding source and is mostly supported by user fees. The FY 2020-21 budget authorized a transfer of up to $150 million from the General Fund to help backfill a projected SPRF shortfall across FY 2019-20 and FY 2020-21. No General Fund backfills were requested or approved for FY 2021-22 or FY 2022-23. State Parks has not requested a General Fund backfill for SPRF in the FY 2023-24 budget.
Analysis Prepared by: Nikita Koraddi / APPR. / (916) 319-2081
Date of Hearing: March 28, 2023
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON WATER, PARKS, AND WILDLIFE
Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, Chair
ABPCA Bill Id:AB 618 (
Author:Bauer-Kahan) – As Amended Ver:March 20, 2023
SUBJECT: State parks: reservations: discounts
SUMMARY: Requires changes to the Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) reservation system; requires State Parks to institute a reservation lottery system, as specified; and grants a discount on camping for specified annual pass holders. Specifically, this bill:
- Requires any contract State Parks enters into, on and after January 1, 2024, for purposes of managing the State Parks reservation system, to include, but not be limited to, the following provisions:
- A cancellation made within seven calendar days of the reservation start date shall result in credit that can be used for future reservations within five years of the original reservation start date;
- The entire reservation cost shall be forfeited, and no credits shall be given, if the reservation holder does not show up within 24 hours of the reservation start time and the reservation holder has not provided advance notice to staff at the state park where the reservation is held;
- The contractor shall send at least two reminder emails to reservation holders; and
- Display the real-time availability of sites available for walk-up reservations.
- Specifies that a person shall not be permitted to reserve a site at the same unit of the state park system for more than 30 total days in a calendar year.
- Stipulates that a reservation at a site in a unit of the state park system shall not be for more than seven consecutive nights during peak season.
- Requires State Parks to, on or before January 1, 2025, and until January 1, 2029, implement a reservation lottery system for up to five of the most popular units of the state park system, as determined by State Parks based on units that have the most booking interest six months before the reservation date. Requires State Parks to report, on or before January 1, 2028, information regarding the reservation lottery system to the Legislature.
- Requires State Parks to grant a 25 percent discount for campsite or lodging reservations paid through the internet website www.reservecalifornia.com to the bearer of a “Golden Bear Pass.”
EXISTING LAW:
- Establishes the California state park system and vests State Parks with control of the state park system and responsibility for administering, protecting, developing, and interpreting state parks for the use and enjoyment of the public [Public Resources Code (PRC) § 5001 et seq.].
- Authorizes State Parks to collect fees, rents, and returns for use of any state park system area with some exceptions (PRC § 5010).
- Authorizes State Parks, whenever significant savings can be achieved, to enter into a contract with any natural person, corporation, partnership, or association for the operation of a reservation system for the state park system and for the collection of state park fees in connection therewith (PRC § 5010.1).
- Establishes the “Golden Bear Pass” as a discount program available to specified persons, including seniors over the age of 62 with income under a specified threshold and low-income residents, upon application to State Parks, and waives the five-dollar fee through July 1, 2024 (PRC § 5011).
- Permits free camping for distinguished veterans, as defined, or 50 percent reduced-fee camping for persons with permanent disabilities (PRC § 5011.5; § 5010).
- Limits occupancy by the same persons, equipment, or vehicles of any camping facility to a total of 30 days in any calendar year in that unit, and specifies that State Parks may establish shorter or longer limits of occupancy (California Code of Regulations Title 14 § 4455).
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown. This bill is keyed fiscal.
COMMENTS:
- Purpose of this bill. This bill would require changes to the State Parks reservation system. In addition, State Parks would be required to implement a new reservation lottery system and offer a discount on camping fees to holders of the Golden Bear Pass. According to the author, “All Californians should have equal opportunities and access to reserve a campsite within our public parks. [This bill] promotes outdoor access for everyone by requiring State Parks to adopt modifications to the online camping registration system that deter late cancellations and no-shows.”
- Background. State Parks oversees 280 park units throughout the state, with more than 15,000 campsites and other lodging options, like rustic cabins, cottages, tent cabins, floating campsites, and yurts. For many of these locations, reservations are available six months in advance of the arrival date through an online or phone-based reservation system called Reserve California, which is managed by a contracted vendor. Not all state park units utilize the Reserve California system, with roughly 150 park units lacking internet connectivity. The current reservation system contract expires in 2024. State Parks anticipates issuing a request for proposals (RFP) in Spring 2023 and awarding a new contract by August 2023.
Many camping and lodging locations are very popular and some sites are reserved within minutes of becoming available. State Parks estimates there are about 10 very popular locations. All sites become available for reservations at 8 AM six months prior to the reservation start date. However, there are anecdotal stories of fully reserved popular campsites with many empty spots due to no-shows.[1] State Parks estimates a system wide cancellation rate of 15 percent. It is unclear if this figure includes no-shows.
The maximum financial consequence for booking a site and then not showing up is typically the forfeiture of the cost of a single night plus a reservation fee. The current reservation system vendor does not send reminder emails to reservation holders prior to the reservation start date.
This bill requires any contract State Parks enters into, on and after January 1, 2024, for purposes of managing the State Parks reservation system to include provisions to incentivize early cancellations by increasing the financial consequences of a late cancellation or no-show. For example, under this bill, the maximum financial consequence would be the entire reservation cost plus fees for reservation holders that do not show up for their reserved site.
No-show sites are made available for walkup reservations 24 hours after the original reservation start time. Some park units are walkup only, but a long-term goal is to move all park units to the reservation system as internet availability allows.
Reservation lottery example. This bill defers to State Parks as to how to design an equitable lottery process that increases access to some of the most popular camping sites. The National Park Service implemented an early access lottery system for the 2022 and 2023 camping seasons at the North Pines Campground in Yosemite National Park.[2] The goals of the lottery were to: create a better experience that reduces confusion and frustration for the highly competitive reservation process; offer a new method for reserving campsites at this high-demand location for a more equitable experience; and address visitor complaints about the perception of an unfair reservation process.
Successful lottery applicants had an opportunity to make a reservation for campsites in North Pines Campground during a less-competitive early access period. Following the early access period, any remaining availability was released on the usual on-sale dates (five months in advance on the 15th of the month). During the 2022 lottery pilot, there were 22,033 applications for the 640 time slots, resulting in a success rate of 2.9 percent. Of people awarded an early access time slot, 82.5 percent made a reservation, resulting in 48 percent of availability being booked. In 2023, there were 2,500 time slots, but data is not yet available about applications and bookings made.
Annual passes. State Parks has several annual passes that grant day use to pass holders. Camping discounts are not typical for annual pass holders, except for the Disabled Discount Pass and the Distinguished Veteran Pass. The Golden Bear Pass is offered free to CalWORKs recipients, supplemental security income (SSI) recipients, and those whose incomes fall under a certain threshold. Since the five-dollar fee was waived and enhanced coordination with CalWORKS began in 2021, the number of annual Golden Bear Passholders has increased from roughly 2,000 to 35,000 in 2022.
Towards equitable access. In recent years the demand for public campsites has increased as more people are heading to the outdoors for their well-being and mental health. It is the mission of State Parks to create “opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation” for all Californians. However, not all Californians have historically enjoyed the same access to public spaces such as parks and beaches. Systemic barriers persist in keeping communities of color, persons with disabilities, and other groups out of public parks and beaches. State Parks has publicly recognized these systemic barriers to access and has committed to providing equitable access to high-quality outdoor recreation for underrepresented park users and underserved communities.
The California Outdoors for All initiative is focused on equitably expanding outdoor access to all Californians through focused investments in open space infrastructure, outdoor programming, and improvements to state systems. These efforts seek to undo deeply ingrained inequities, and preserve the cherished natural, cultural, and tribal resources as the fight against climate change intensifies. Additionally, the Outdoors for All initiative further advances two other state priorities, Nature Based Solutions and 30x30, by investing in California’s public lands and natural resources. A draft strategy is planned for release in Spring 2023. - Policy considerations. The author may want to consider pursuing an urgency clause in order to align the goals of this bill with the anticipated timing for the release of an RFP related to the next contract for the reservation system.
- Arguments in support. The California State Parks Foundation writes in support, stating that this bill “proposes changes to the reservation system that incentivize early cancellations, which in turn should make more campsites available to everyone. […] [E]veryone should get to enjoy our amazing state parks and [this bill] implements common sense changes to get more people into these beautiful places.
- Related legislation. AB 148 (Committee on Budget), Chapter 115, Statutes of 2021, eliminates the Golden Bear Pass fee through July 1, 2024, among other provisions.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
California State Parks Foundation
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by: Keith Cialino / W., P., & W. / (916) 319-2096
See https://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/news-analysis/camping-reservations-no-shows/ ↑
See https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/lottery-pilot.htm for more information. ↑
Discussed in Hearing
1MIN
Assembly Floor
1MIN
Senate Floor
2MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations
5MIN
Assembly Floor
Bill Author
