CaliforniaCalifornia law now lets state parks work with libraries to provide park passes
Under this law, signed September 29, 2026, California's state parks department may work with the State Library and local library systems to provide park passes, to widen access to the parks.
What it does
The state parks department may now partner with the State Library and local libraries to provide park passes. The law allows this but does not require it.
The law states that California's policy is to give everyone fair access to state parks, noting that entrance fees create barriers for many residents.
Argument forHanding out passes through libraries could reach families who face park entrance fees, because libraries are local places many residents already use.
Argument againstThe law only says the department may work with libraries and sets no funding or pass rules, so the program might be small or never start.
More detail
The Department of Parks and Recreation may work with the California State Library and individual library systems to provide park passes. It applies to the state park system and to library systems working with the department. The law says the department "may" do this, so it is allowed but not required.
The Legislature declares that state policy is to ensure equitable and inclusive access to state parks through department programs that broaden public access. The law finds that current entrance fees create financial barriers that limit access for many residents.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 29Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 815, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 29Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Sep 3Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 27In Assembly. Ordered to Engrossing and Enrolling.Minor
- Aug 26Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.).Passed Senate
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading AB1804 Hart et al. By Gonzalez. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 13Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 13From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 13).Minor
- Aug 3In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- Jul 1From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (July 1). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 3Referred to Com. on N.R. & W.Minor
- May 21In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- Vote recorded AB 1804 Hart Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 21Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 74. Noes 0. Page 5198.)Passed Assembly
- May 18Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- May 14From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 14).Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 8In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Mar 24From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (March 24). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 23Referred to Com. on W., P., & W.Minor
- Feb 11From printer. May be heard in committee March 13.
- Feb 10Read first time. To print.Introduced
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