California Assembly Bill AB1702

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/4/26
• Refer: 2/23/26
• Report Pass: 3/24/26
• Refer: 3/24/26
• Report Pass: 4/15/26
• Refer: 4/15/26
• Refer: 4/29/26

Caption

State park system: admission: veterans and military personnel.

Impact

The proposed changes would affect the laws governing the California state park system, primarily by promoting inclusivity for all veterans, regardless of their wartime service. Furthermore, the bill introduces a new discounted pass, offering a 15% reduction in fees for active and reserve military personnel during their visits to state parks. This represents a significant effort by the state to recognize the contributions of service members and to provide them with greater access to recreational opportunities that foster well-being and community engagement.

Summary

Assembly Bill 1702, introduced by Assembly Member Johnson, aims to amend existing provisions relating to the admission of veterans and military personnel into California's state park system. Currently, the law stipulates that only veterans who served in a war are eligible for a free park pass if they can prove various qualifications, such as having a disability or being a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. AB1702 seeks to broaden this definition by removing the requirement that a veteran must have been involved in a war, thereby allowing all veterans to obtain free access to state parks upon meeting other specified criteria.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support for its inclusive approach towards honoring all veterans, it may also raise questions regarding the fiscal implications for the state park system, especially concerning the potential increase in demand for free and discounted passes. Some stakeholders might argue that these changes could strain state resources or change the dynamics of park operations. Additionally, the clarity of the eligibility criteria and the verification process may come under scrutiny to ensure that the benefits reach the intended recipients without administrative complications.