AB 31 (De Leon)
Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Act of 2007.
This bill establishes the Statewide Parks Development and Community Revitalization Act of 2007 which would fund the acquisition and development of parks, recreation areas, and facilities in the communities of highest need through the $400 million for competitive grants for local and regional parks included in Proposition 84. The bill requires the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to adopt guidelines and a procedural guide for the program on or before April 1, 2009. This bill defines who may apply for a grant as cities, counties, regional park districts, districts, joint powers authorities, and nonprofits; and the bill establishes criteria for the (DPR) to award grants.  These criteria include that the project must create a park, multipurpose facility, or new recreational opportunity where one does not currently exist; the project is designed to provide efficient use of water and other natural resources; and the project will serve a critically underserved community which is defined as having less than two acres of usable parkland per 1,000 residents or a disadvantaged community. The bill gives priority for grant applications which locate a new park in an area with high unemployment, high poverty, or a large number of children; have significant public participation; enhance workforce development and employment opportunities; accommodate outdoor learning opportunities for school pupils, at-risk youth in the service area, members of the California Conservation Corps, or members of a certified local conservation corps; or the project is a joint partnership. The bill also establishes guildline for how ofter DPR shall conduct a grant cycle and requires the DPR to disburse the $400 million through three competitive grant programs based upon county size and separates counties into “heavily urbanized,” “urbanized,” and “nonurbanized” categories.
Current House: Senate
Long Author: De Leon (Coauthors: Bass, Coto, Hernandez, Mendoza, Nunez, Saldana, Solorio, Soto, and Torrico) (Coauthors: Senators Cedillo and Padilla).
Status: 9/10/2007 Senate Rules Committee
Title: An act to amend Sections 5640, 5641, 5642, 5643, 5644, 5645, 5646, 5647, 5648, 5649, 5650, 5651, 5653 and 5654 of, to amend the heading of Chapter 3.3 (commencing with Section 5640) of Division 5 of, and to add Sections 5643.6 and 5652.5, the Public Resources Code, relating to parks and recreation.
Relating To: Parks And Recreation
Current Location: 9/10/2007 Senate Rules Committee.
Text Version: 9/7/2007 Amended
