Sacramento, CA –Chair of the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife, Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan has introduced AB 618, which will increase access to California’s public parks and beaches by promoting responsible reservation practices.
“California’s public parks and beaches are treasures that should be enjoyed by all Californians and demand for them has increased greatly,” said Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan. “Unfortunately, our current outdated reservation system has led to a situation where many campsites are left empty. By promoting responsible reservation practices, we can increase access to these vital resources.”
With more than 6.5 million visitors camping in California parks each year, demand has never been higher. Popular sites are often booked up within minutes, right at 8 AM, months in advance. Families often struggle to plan trips into the outdoors. There is currently no penalty for unused reservations so when campers don’t show up, those valuable spots go unused.
AB 618 requires State Parks to adopt modifications to the online camping registration system to deter late cancellations and no-shows. This includes encouraging cancellations at least seven days before the start of a reservation, sending reminder emails to encourage early cancellation, requiring forfeiture of the entire reservation fee for no-shows, and implementing protections to prevent consistent no-shows from making reservations.
“I am committed to ensuring that all Californians have equal access to our state’s natural resources, and AB 618 is an important step towards achieving that goal,” said Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan.
Editors note:
According to the Bill:
This bill would require any contract the department enters into, on and after January 1, 2024, for purposes of managing the department’s 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.
California State Parks Reminds Visitors to Use Free Pass Programs, Explore the Outdoors
California State Parks, First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and the California Natural Resources Agency are reminding visitors about three new ways to explore the great outdoors for free. Fourth graders can obtain a free California State Park Adventure Pass to explore 19 select state parks for free for a full school year.
All Californians can check out a California State Parks Library Pass by using their library cards to access more than 200 participating state park units. Families receiving California Work Opportunity and Responsibility for Kids (CalWORKs), individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and income-eligible Californians 62 and over can apply for the Golden Bear Pass with their smartphone or other web-based device in just minutes and have access to more than 200 California state park units. — Full story
