Article 8 - Interpretive Services - California Public Resources Code

Sections (2)

Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 423, Sec. 1. (AB 2939) Effective January 1, 2025.

For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply:

(a)“Eligible entity” means any of the following:

(1)A qualified nonprofit public benefit corporation organized pursuant to Part 2 (commencing with Section 5110) of Division 2 of Title 1 of the Corporations Code with the mission of increasing equity in outdoor access.

(2)A federally recognized Native American tribe.

(3)A California Native American tribe listed on the California Tribal Consultation List maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission.

(b)“Interpretive services” means activities and programs that seek to help participating park visitors to understand and connect with natural, cultural, and historic resources of a local park and are not generally offered by the local entity.

(c)“Local entity” means a city, county, or city and county that owns, maintains, or operates a local park.

(d)“Local park” means a beach or park that is owned, maintained, or operated by a local entity and that is not part of the state or federal park

systems.

§ 5386

Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 423, Sec. 1. (AB 2939) Effective January 1, 2025.

(a)Use of a local park by an eligible entity to provide interpretive services to no more than 30 participating park visitors at once shall be considered an allowable public use of the local park, and shall be treated by the local entity in the same manner as general public use of the local park, provided that the local entity does not confer on the eligible entity any benefit not conferred on the general public.

(b)Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a local entity may adopt requirements that apply to an eligible

entity that meets the requirements of subdivision (a) if the governing body of the local entity adopts a finding, supported by substantial evidence, of one or more of the following:

(1)The requirements are necessary to ensure that public access to a local park, or the protection of environmental resources, is not significantly negatively impaired by an eligible entity that meets the requirements of subdivision (a).

(2)The requirements will further access to a local park by an eligible entity that meets the requirements of subdivision (a).

(3)The requirements are necessary to address the local entity’s liability related to a visit to a local park by an eligible entity that meets the requirements of subdivision (a).