CA AB2249

Establishes the California Heritage Protection Act to clarify that state park concession contracts cannot grant trademark or service mark rights to park names or historical, cultural, and recreational resources.

Modifies the definition of "best responsible bidder" to require bidders demonstrate they will protect the state's trademark and service mark interests in state park venues and their resources.

Prohibits awarding concession contracts to bidders who have made legal claims to trademark interests in state parks or whom courts have determined made such claims without reasonable cause and in bad faith.

Requires concessionaires who make trademark claims to forfeit the right to bid on future state park contracts and hold the state harmless for attorney fees and costs if they file trademark applications incorporating park names or resources.

Makes trademark or service mark provisions in concession contracts void and unenforceable effective January 1, 2017, and requires the Department of Parks and Recreation to adopt regulations providing notice and hearing rights for denied bidders.