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AB-2351 Forest resources: demonstration state forests: campgrounds: user fees.(2009-2010)

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AB2351:v96#DOCUMENT

Assembly Bill No. 2351
CHAPTER 598

An act to amend Sections 4652 and 4799.13 of the Public Resources Code, relating to forest resources.

[ Approved by Governor  September 30, 2010. Filed with Secretary of State  September 30, 2010. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 2351, Chesbro. Forest resources: demonstration state forests: campgrounds: user fees.
Existing law authorizes money in the Forest Resources Improvement Fund (fund) to be expended, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the cost of operations associated with the management of state lands operated as demonstration state forests by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Existing law requires, among other things, that receipts from the sales of forest products be deposited on a monthly basis with the State Treasurer in the fund.
This bill would authorize the department to collect recreational user fees for overnight camping and reserved group activities in a demonstration state forest, in the amount that would reimburse the department’s costs related to maintaining and improving, among other things, campground facilities. The bill would require the fees to be deposited into the fund.
This bill would make other, conforming changes.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 4652 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:

4652.
 (a) The department may collect recreational user fees for overnight camping and reserved group activities in a demonstration state forest. The department shall not charge a fee that exceeds the amount necessary to reimburse the department’s costs for maintenance and improvement of campground facilities, associated recreational facilities, natural environment, and access thereto.
(b) All recreational user fees received by the department during each fiscal year shall be deposited into the Forest Resources Improvement Fund and shall be used, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to reimburse the department’s cost of maintaining and improving the campground facilities, associated recreational facilities, natural environment, and access thereto.
(c) Receipts from the sales of forest products and recreational user fees shall be deposited monthly with the State Treasurer in the Forest Resources Improvement Fund. The Controller shall keep a record of accounts of such receipts separately.

SEC. 2.

 Section 4799.13 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read:

4799.13.
 (a) There is hereby created in the State Treasury, the Forest Resources Improvement Fund. The money in the Forest Resources Improvement Fund may only be expended, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the cost of operations associated with management of lands held in trust by the state and operated as demonstration state forests by the department pursuant to Section 4646, including restoration activities, and to reimburse the department’s cost of maintaining and improving the campground facilities, associated recreational facilities, natural environment, and access thereto, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 4652.
(b) The Forest Resources Improvement Fund shall be the depository for all revenue derived from the repayment of loans made or interest received pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 4790), the receipts from the sale of forest products, as defined in Section 4638, from the state forests to support the operations described in subdivision (a), and revenue received from recreational user fees, pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 4652. Money in the fund in excess of the amount needed to support those operations shall be deposited in the General Fund.
(c) The director may accept grants and donations of equipment, seedlings, labor, materials, or funds from any source for the purpose of supporting or facilitating activities undertaken pursuant to this part. Any funds received shall be deposited by the director in the Forest Resources Improvement Fund.
(d) Each proposed expenditure by the department of money from the Forest Resources Improvement Fund shall be included as a separate item and scheduled individually in the Budget Bill for each fiscal year for consideration by the Legislature. These appropriations shall be subject to all of the limitations contained in the Budget Bill and to all other fiscal procedures prescribed by law with respect to the expenditure of state funds.