Under existing law, the Department of Parks and Recreation administers and manages the state park system. Existing law permits visitors to bring animals into units of the state park system when the Director of Parks and Recreation determines that it is in the public interest. Existing law prohibits an animal brought into a state park system unit from being allowed to pose a threat to public safety and welfare, create a public nuisance, or pose a threat to the natural or cultural resources of the unit or to the improvements at the unit.

This bill would permit visitors to bring animals dogs into units of the state park system or recreational areas of those units. The bill would require the director to develop fines, rules, and regulations to mitigate or prevent any behavior by those animals dogs that may pose a threat to public safety and welfare, create a public nuisance, or pose a threat to the natural or cultural resources of the unit or to the improvements at the unit. The bill would require the department to establish and maintain on its Internet Web site a comprehensive, up-to-date list of each unit with information on whether the unit or a portion of the unit allows dogs and additonal specified information. The bill would provide that these changes to this provision shall not be construed to limit access for persons with guide dogs, signal dogs, service dogs, or other service animals, or for riding animals, pack animals, or livestock, that was permitted before these changes or is permitted by any other law.