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Committee advances bill to make state park day‑use passes available through libraries
Summary
AB 616 would authorize the State Parks program that distributes annual day‑use passes to partner libraries to continue and to transfer passes to the State Library free of charge; committee voted to send the measure to Appropriations.
Assemblymember Colosa introduced AB 616, dubbed “Parks for All,” which would authorize State Parks to transfer annual day‑use passes to the State Library at no charge and create a statutory backstop for a program that distributes passes through public libraries.
The author told the committee the State Library Parks Pass program currently provides roughly 33,000 physical passes and aims to have at least three passes at each library location, including mobile libraries. Supporters, including Abigail Smet of the California State Parks Foundation, said the program has increased equity of access to state parks by lowering cost and awareness barriers. Smet said the pass program was established in the 2021 budget and often relies on year‑to‑year funding, leaving the program vulnerable in tight budget years.
Assemblymembers who spoke in favor said the program helps families, homeschool groups and low‑income communities access state parks and that the bill is permissive rather than mandatory for libraries. No witnesses opposed the measure at the hearing.
After brief committee discussion, the committee voted to pass AB 616 to Appropriations. Several members indicated they would consider co‑authorship as the bill proceeds.
The committee recorded a roll call and the motion to refer AB 616 to Appropriations was carried.
