530-546
PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE
SECTION 530-546
530. There is in the department the State Park and Recreation Commission consisting of nine members appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate. Whenever a reference is made to the State Park Commission or Recreation Commission pertaining to a duty, power, purpose, responsibility, or jurisdiction of the State Park Commission or the Recreation Commission, it shall be deemed to be a reference to and to mean the State Park and Recreation Commission. The commission chair may appoint committees composed of commission members and the duties of the committees shall include, but not be limited to, those duties set forth in Sections 539 and 540. Findings and recommendations of the committees shall be presented to the commission for consideration and action. 531. The members of the commission shall be selected from areas distributed throughout the state and because of their interest in park, recreation, and conservation matters and, except for initial members of the commission, shall serve for terms of four years or until their successors are appointed and qualified. 533. In case of any vacancy, the appointment shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term. All appointments of members made when the Legislature is not in session shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate at the next regular or special session of the Legislature. 534. The commission shall elect a chair from its number who shall serve as chair for one year and until a successor is elected. 534.5. The Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation shall act as secretary of the commission and shall appoint such assistants as are necessary to carry out this function. Such assistants shall be appointed from among the employees of the department. 535. The commission shall report annually to the Governor, through the director, on existing and operating recreational facilities, programs and activities of the state park system, and on the needs of the state and the local subdivisions thereof for recreational facilities, programs, and activities, and shall make recommendations for programs and activities to meet future needs of the state for parks and recreation. 536. The members of the commission may receive a salary for their services in an amount of fifty dollars ($50) for each day, up to a maximum salary of one hundred dollars ($100) per month. A member of the commission may also be reimbursed for the actual and necessary expenses which are incurred in the performance of the member's duties. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any member of the commission who is also a member of, and is entitled to receive the benefits from, the Legislators' Retirement System may elect to forego the compensation provided by this section and, if the compensation is foregone, the member shall not have his or her retirement benefits reduced and shall not be required to be reinstated into the retirement system. 538. The commission may designate, delete, or modify state marine reserves, state marine parks, state marine conservation areas, state marine cultural preservation areas, and state marine recreational management areas, as delineated in subdivision (b) of Section 36725. The commission may not designate, delete, or modify a state marine reserve, state marine park, or state marine conservation area without the concurrence of the Fish and Game Commission on any proposed restrictions upon, or change in, the use of living marine resources. 539. The commission shall establish general policies for the guidance of the director in the administration, protection and development of the state park system. 540. (a) The commission shall cause to be studied and shall consider the whole problem of recreation of the people of the State of California as it affects and may affect the welfare of the people and especially the children and youth. (b) The commission shall formulate, in cooperation with other state agencies, interested organizations and citizens, and shall recommend to the director, for adoption by him, a comprehensive recreational policy for the State of California. 541. In accordance with the general policies established by the commission, and as requested by the director, the Department of Parks and Recreation shall: (a) Assist the commission in the performance of its functions under Sections 539 and 540 of this code. (b) Investigate and report to the director and the commission upon the facilities and services which are needed or which exist in the public recreational areas within the state and by consultation with the authorities in charge, assist in the coordination and development of recreational programs; provided, that surveys of the recreational facilities and programs of local agencies shall be made only upon their request. (c) Advise and cooperate with and encourage community recreation agencies interested in the use of or the development of recreational facilities and programs for public benefit. (d) Advise the administrative officers of all state agencies, authorized by law to perform recreational services, of regular meetings of the commission and of such special meetings as may consider matters relating to their specific responsibilities, and invite such officers to attend and participate in deliberations of the commission without the authority to vote. (e) Make studies and surveys and long range plans of recreational facilities and programs necessary to meet recreation needs throughout the state, and participate with other federal, state, and local governmental agencies in advance planning with respect to the development and coordination of recreational facilities and programs. 542. The department may encourage and render assistance in the promotion of training programs for volunteer and professional recreation leaders in cooperation with other agencies, organizations and institutions, and may encourage the establishment of standards for recreation personnel. 543. The department may assist every department, commission, board, agency and officer of the state in rendering recreational services in conformity with their respective authorized powers and duties and encourage and assist in the coordination of federal, state and local recreational activities. 546. The director may authorize any employee of the department to exercise any power granted to, or to perform any duty imposed upon, the director.