State parks.

(1) Existing law establishes the Department of Parks and Recreation and vests the department with the control of the state park system. Existing law authorizes the department to enter into concession contracts for the construction, maintenance, and convenience of the general public in the use and enjoyment of units of the state park system. Existing law authorizes the department, whenever significant savings can be achieved by the department, to enter into a contract with specified entities regarding the collection of revenues for, and the operation of a reservation system for, the state park system. Under its existing authority, the department has created regional park passes and other passes that serve the needs of visitors interested in parks with a shared theme or within a region. This bill would require the Department of Parks and Recreation, on or before July 1, 2015, to prepare a report to the Legislature that fully addresses the department's energy costs, projects that could reduce those costs, and potential energy-related infrastructure projects, as specified. The bill would require the department, until January 1, 2018, and from available appropriated funds, to establish a pilot program for mobile food and beverage services in multiple units and in multiple locations, if feasible, and to assess and report on the suitability, increase in visitation, and visitor satisfaction regarding the program. The bill would also expressly authorize the department to engage in activities to increase the opportunities to sell park passes through vendors and would require the department, on or before July 1, 2016, to report to the Legislature on those activities. The bill would require the department, on or before December 31, 2015 and from available appropriated funds, to establish a minimum of 2 additional regional passes available to park visitors for purchase. (2) Existing law establishes the State Park and Recreation Commission and vests the commission with specified authorities regarding the operation and development of the state park system. Existing law requires the Franchise Tax Board to revise the individual taxpayer return form to allow an individual to designate a contribution in excess of tax liability be made to the State Parks Protection Fund to be used for, among other purposes, the protection and preservation of state parks. This bill would require the commission's costs be reflected separately and displayed in the annual budget proposed by the Governor. The bill would require the commission to hold one or more public hearings to further the public process that may be initiated by the Department of Parks and Recreation to select one or more annual projects to receive funding from taxpayer contributions. The bill would require the commission and the department to create one or more "projects of the year" to be funded by those contributions and to post information about the public selection process and the chosen projects on its Internet Web site. (3) Existing law authorizes the Director of Parks and Recreation to negotiate or renegotiate a concession contract if specified conditions exist. This bill would additionally authorize the director to negotiate or renegotiate a concession contract if the services provided pursuant to the contract will have minimal impact on state park resources, are inherently mobile or transitory in nature, and do not occupy a state-owned structure.