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While most campgrounds are preparing for their grand openings of the season, many of them here in California are wondering if campers will be able to reach their sites at all. With the onslaught of rain and snow this year, Kernville, CA is faring worse than most. Not only are all access points to the valley susceptible to flooding, several major highways and roads are currently closed for what looks like months. 

On April 4^th, several campgrounds in Kernville were able to voice updates on recent flood damage to Congressman Kevin McCarthy and his deputy chief of staff, Kyle Lombardi. The Congressman brainstormed various ideas on how to draw in consumers, such as social media publications. 

While many campgrounds have been able to get back up and running despite the overwhelming amount of water, they must still monitor fluctuating river levels frequently for the next great threat: eroded roadways. The largest struggle for these sites at the moment is state assistance programs. 

Kyle Lombardi discussed mitigation programs such as FEMA, but further research shows this plan of action assists individuals and families who have lost their homes, not businesses. While you’d think that flood and property insurances would provide assistance, Rhonda Stallone of Kern River’s Edge Campground has shed light that her flood insurance only covers buildings, not real estate, and her property insurance has a flood exclusion policy. 

As of now, this is where the situation has landed. Legislators are continuously working to assist and procure aid for the many campgrounds in need of assistance.  We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.

With spring in full bloom, many campgrounds are starting to host fun family events for their campers to enjoy, including the relished movie night. However, copywrite laws may make this a bit difficult if you find yourself unprepared. Whether you are planning a large gathering of moviegoers or just playing old VHS tapes in the rec room, movies and television shows must be played with permission from the creators. Even if you are just showing the news channel, a license is required due to many clips being owned by Getty Images.

Luckily for our members, one of the many programs we offer at CalOHA is movie licensing! We have partnered with Swank and MPLC to provide RV park owners and operators with the opportunity to play movies for their guests while also supporting the creators and various crew members so they can continue to create content. 

Both Swank and MPLC offer movies from big name production companies, like Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount, Sony, Warner Brothers, DreamWorks, MGM, and Universal. Each license does differ, however, but our staff is here to help you choose which one is best for you and your park.

To learn more about move licensing, pricing structures, and how to sign up, call the CalOHA office or visit the MPLC & Swank websites!

(530) 885-1624

AB 22 – Assemblyman Gipson (LA County)

Aimed to amend section 396 of the Vehicle Code relating to “mobile coaches” by enacting legislation that would classify motor coaches that are parked in a mobile home park for a period of time that satisfies residency requirements (9 months) as mobile home properties to give mobile coach owners the ability to build home equity. 

Additionally, current law defines “mobile home” for the purposes of the enforcement of highway safety laws and regulations as a trailer coach which is in excess of 102 inches in width or in excess of 40 feet in overall length measured from the foremost point of the trailer hitch to the rear extremity of the trailer.  This bill would increase the width in the above-specified definition from 102 inches to 110 inches. 

Thanks to the hard work of Chris Wysocki of the WMA the first part of the bill regarding equity has been stricken and only the size requirements will be moving forward. 

AB 1472 – Assemblyman Alvarez (San Diego)

Another bill with two parts is set to amend the RV Park Occupancy Law in Imperial Beach but the author is looking to expand to a statewide ordinance. 

Part one would mimic the rent restrictions of a mobile home park by limiting rental increase to 3% plus CPI not to exceed 5% and limiting it to 2 increments over a 12 month period.

Part two would prohibit the practice of limiting a tenant to a period of time under 9 months to prevent residency. Any park that would require a tenant to leave and re-register would be subject to fines and legal action that would award attorney’s fees to the prevailing party. 

A governing body may establish inspection, reporting, recordkeeping to ensure compliance. 

I have been in touch with Assm Alvarez’s staff and waiting for a meeting. The Assemblyman is very approachable and willing to work with us on this legislation. This could be extremely detrimental to RV parks with extended stay offerings. More to come. 

SB 620 - Senator McGuire

This bill would provide a pathway for low impact camping in rural areas, AG land, and private property. 

The Special Occupancy Parks Act, establishes requirements for the construction, maintenance, occupancy, use, and design of RV parks and campgrounds.  Existing law defines “special occupancy park” to mean a recreational vehicle park, temporary recreational vehicle park, incidental camping area, or tent camp. This bill would specify that, for the purposes of that act, a special occupancy park does not include a low-impact camping area. The bill would define a “low-impact camping area” to mean any area of private property that provides for the transient occupancy rental of a shelter, recreational vehicle, or other temporary sleeping accommodation, as defined, for recreational purposes that is not a commercial lodging facility and meets specified requirements such as less than 9 sites.

This bill was introduced by Hipcamp and has quite a bit of support. We are working with the Senators office to offer our opinions on the legislation. CalOHA along with CalTravel presently oppose the bill. More to come.  

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