SACRAMENTO – This morning, an innovative measure by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) creating the Office of Outdoor Recreation (OREC) to unite California’s vast outdoor recreation sector in order to promote education, health, and economic development passed its first committee. The bill, AB 1111, passed the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee with unanimous, bipartisan, support receiving 13 votes in favor and none opposed.
“California is home to amazing natural resources and endless recreation opportunities. This is an industry focused on sustainability that’s generated billions of dollars in revenue and jobs.” said Assemblymember Friedman (D-Glendale). “Bringing leaders from across the spectrum to the table is an important first step in our efforts to promote conservation and outdoor recreation opportunities for all Californians, while boosting our economy.”
California’s outdoor recreation sector leads the nation and world generating $92 billion in consumer spending annually and supporting 691,000 jobs. Our state is also home to millions of square miles of natural lands and habitats including iconic national parks such as Yosemite, Sequoia, and Joshua Tree.
Through OREC, nonprofits, companies, advocacy groups, and governments would work together to promote outdoor recreation opportunities, develop economic and job growth, establish educational programs, as well as increase recreation-oriented tourism. The office would be led by an advisory committee composed of a diverse array of stakeholders who would shape policies to enhance educational opportunities, equitable access to our recreational amenities, encourage land conservation and stewardship, and promote the mental and physical benefits of outdoor recreation.
If passed and signed into law, California would join eleven other states in having a dedicated office of outdoor recreation. The measure now moves to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
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Laura Friedman represents the 43rd Assembly District which encompasses the cities of Burbank, Glendale, and La Cañada Flintridge, as well as the communities of La Crescenta and Montrose, and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Atwater Village, Beachwood Canyon, Los Feliz, East Hollywood, Franklin Hills, and Silver Lake.