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SB-55 • 2026

State parks: facilities pass: Gold Star Family members.

State parks: facilities pass: Gold Star Family members.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Umberg
Last action
2025-08-29
Official status
August 29 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not specify the exact proof required or the duration of the passes' validity.

Free State Park Pass for Gold Star Family Members

This law allows eligible Gold Star Family members to receive a pass from the Department of Parks and Recreation for free day use at any California state park, including access to all facilities.

What This Bill Does

  • It requires the Department of Parks and Recreation to issue a pass for free day use of any unit of the state park system operated by the state to eligible Gold Star Family members upon presentation of proof.
  • The pass allows these families to use all facilities, including boat launching areas, in units of the state park system.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Families who lost a loved one while serving in the military can benefit from this law.
  • State parks and the Department of Parks and Recreation will issue these passes.

Terms To Know

Gold Star Family
A family that has lost a member who was killed while serving in the U.S. military during wartime.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how long these passes are valid for.
  • It is unclear if there will be any changes to existing veteran benefits as a result of this law.

Bill History

  1. 2025-08-29 California Legislative Information

    August 29 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.

  2. 2025-08-20 California Legislative Information

    August 20 set for first hearing. Placed on APPR. suspense file.

  3. 2025-07-16 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (July 15). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  4. 2025-06-17 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on M. & V.A. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (June 17). Re-referred to Com. on M. & V.A.

  5. 2025-06-05 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Coms. on W. P., & W. and M. & V.A.

  6. 2025-05-29 California Legislative Information

    In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.

  7. 2025-05-29 California Legislative Information

    Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 38. Noes 0. Page 1322.) Ordered to the Assembly.

  8. 2025-05-27 California Legislative Information

    Ordered to special consent calendar.

  9. 2025-05-23 California Legislative Information

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  10. 2025-05-23 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 6. Noes 0. Page 1189.) (May 23).

  11. 2025-05-16 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing May 23.

  12. 2025-05-12 California Legislative Information

    May 12 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.

  13. 2025-05-02 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing May 12.

  14. 2025-04-29 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 4. Noes 0. Page 918.) (April 28). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  15. 2025-03-28 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing April 28.

  16. 2025-03-26 California Legislative Information

    Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on M. & V.A.

  17. 2025-03-25 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on M. & V.A. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0. Page 531.) (March 25).

  18. 2025-03-12 California Legislative Information

    Set for hearing March 25.

  19. 2025-01-29 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Coms. on N.R. & W. and M. & V.A.

  20. 2025-01-08 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be acted upon on or after February 7.

  21. 2025-01-07 California Legislative Information

    Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Official Summary Text

SB 55, as amended, Umberg.
State parks:
free day use pass:
facilities pass:
Gold Star Family members.
Existing law requires the Department of Parks and Recreation to issue a park pass for free use of all park facilities in the state park system to a veteran of war in which the United States has been, or may be, engaged, who is a resident of this state, who presents to the department proof of a disability, proof of being held captive as a prisoner of war, or proof of being a recipient of a Congressional Medal of Honor, and proof of an honorable discharge from service.
This bill would require an eligible Gold Star Family member, as defined, upon presentation of proof to the department, to be issued a pass for
free day use of any unit of the state park system that is operated by the state.
use of all facilities, including boat launching facilities, in units of the state park system.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF