CHAPTER 359
SB 74-FN – FINAL VERSION
03/22/07 0255s
03/22/07 0661s
07Jun2007… 1809h
2007 SESSION
04/01
SENATE BILL 74-FN
AN ACT relative to the operation and administration of the state park system.
SPONSORS: Sen. Odell, Dist 8; Sen. Hassan, Dist 23; Sen. Gallus, Dist 1; Sen. Fuller Clark, Dist 24; Rep. Campbell, Hills 24; Rep. D. Russell, Belk 6
COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration
This bill establishes a bureau of historic sites in the division of parks and recreation, revises the state park system development plan, requires an audit of the division of parks and recreation, and establishes a state park system advisory council and a legislative oversight committee.
This bill is a request of the commission to study the state park system established by 2005, 276.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
03/22/07 0255s
03/22/07 0661s
07Jun2007… 1809h
07-0278
04/01
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seven
AN ACT relative to the operation and administration of the state park system.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
359:1 New Sections; Department of Resources and Economic Development; Bureau of Historic Sites Established. Amend RSA 12-A by inserting after section 10-c the following new sections:
12-A:10-d Bureau of Historic Sites Established. There is established a bureau of historic sites in the division of parks and recreation of the department of resources and economic development. The chief supervisor of the bureau shall report directly to the director of the division of parks and recreation.
12-A:10-e Duties of the Bureau of Historic Sites. The bureau shall:
I. Define missions and goals for the state’s historic sites and ensure accountability in the ongoing stewardship responsibilities for such sites.
II. Create a comprehensive and coordinated interpretive approach for the network of state historic sites.
III. Develop operating and management plans and policies specific to the state's historic sites.
IV. Enter into partnerships and provide effective management of partnerships with other agencies and “friends” groups connected to the state’s historic sites.
V. Address the deferred maintenance of existing sites and develop a long-term maintenance plan for all state-owned historic sites.
VI. Develop sustainable funding mechanisms that include state funds, earned income, and foundation and private support.
VII. Build an operations team with cultural resource expertise and administrative, interpretive, and preservation experience.
VIII. Work collaboratively with the division of historical resources in the department of cultural resources, in the management of the state historic sites and the development of interpretive and visitor programs for students and the general public that will build ongoing recognition and appreciation for the state's historic sites.
359:2 Expansion of State Park System; Development Plan. RSA 216-A:3-c is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:
216-A:3-c Development Plan.
I. The director of parks and recreation shall by September 30, 2008, publish a written comprehensive 10-year development plan for the state park system. The director may contract with an experienced, independent firm to assist in the development of this plan. The director shall submit copies of the plan to the governor, the governor’s council, the presiding officers of the general court, the chairperson of the house resources, recreation and development committee, and the chairperson of the senate energy, environment, and economic development committee. On or before June 1, 2008, the director of parks and recreation shall submit a progress report to the chairperson of the house resources, recreation and economic development committee and the chairperson of the senate energy, environment, and economic development committee.
II. The director shall continually review this plan and revise it as necessary.
III. The strategic plan shall include:
(a) An analysis of the recreational needs of each geographic region of the state and the degree to which existing park facilities address those needs.
(b) An evaluation of overall state park system operations to identify strengths, weaknesses, and future approaches to increase revenue and simplify operations.
(c) Specific goals and objectives for the park system.
(d) A report on the progress in meeting goals and objectives during each biennium.
(e) Identification of areas in which there is a need for physical expansion of park properties.
(f) Identification of park system properties which are surplus to the state’s needs.
(g) A summary of the division’s planned maintenance program for park facilities, including, but not limited to, measures to protect against undue environmental stress.
(h) Proposed improvements to park facilities, including major renovations, repairs, additions, or new construction.
(i) A full evaluation of facilities, profit and loss, and usage trends in each state park and a comparison of such usage to national trends.
(j) A continual overview of marketing approaches and reservation systems to maximize day rental usage of the state park system.
(k) The adoption of uniform standards for managing facility day use including uniformity in fee structure, reservation procedures, and monitoring of use.
(l) An analysis of whether leasing or outsourcing certain state park functions, or entering into public/private partnerships would increase revenues and simplify operations.
IV. The strategic plan shall serve as a basis for the division’s capital and operating budget requests.
V. In developing the plan, the department shall solicit local input. The director shall also consult with the division of historical resources of the department of cultural resources. The office of energy and planning shall provide the director of parks and recreation with such information on the recreational needs of the state and other technical assistance as is necessary for the division to properly perform its responsibilities under this section.
VI. The director of parks and recreation shall report to the house resources, recreation and development committee and the senate energy, environment, and economic development committee by January 31 of each year on the state of the parks and historic sites.
359:3 Audit of Division of Parks and Recreation. Notwithstanding RSA 17-N:1, the legislative budget assistant shall, no later than January 1, 2008, initiate an audit of the division of parks and recreation of the department of resources and economic development. The audit topics shall include, but are not limited to, cash control, cash flow management, and security issues. On or before June 30, 2008, the legislative budget assistant shall submit an audit progress report to the chairperson of the house resources, recreation and development committee and the chairperson of the senate energy, environment, and economic development committee. A final audit report shall be submitted on or before September 30, 2008. Extensions to these reporting dates may be granted by the fiscal committee of the general court.
359:4 New Section; State Park System Advisory Council. Amend RSA 216-A by inserting after section 3-j the following new sections:
216-A:3-k State Park System Advisory Council.
I. There is established a state park system advisory council which shall consist of the following members:
(a) Ten who shall be appointed by the governor.
(b) One who shall be the commissioner of the department of resources and economic development or designee, whose appointment shall be coterminous with the commissioner’s tenure of office.
(c) Three members of the house of representatives, at least 2 of whom shall be from the resources, recreation and development committee, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(d) Two senators, appointed by the president of the senate.
II. In the event of a vacancy in membership of a member appointed under paragraph I, appointment shall be made in the same manner.
III. Members of the council shall be residents of the state of New Hampshire, at least one of whom shall be qualified, experienced, and representative of each of the following areas:
(a) The business community.
(b) A park friends group.
(c) Recreation.
(d) Forestry.
(e) The general public.
(f) Conservation.
(g) Marketing or public relations.
(h) Historic preservation, including the development and management of historic sites.
IV. The council shall elect a chairperson from among the membership.
V. Members of the council shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to receive mileage and expenses when attending to the duties of the council. Legislative members of the council shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the council.
VI. The council shall:
(a) Provide advice to the director of the division of parks and recreation on issues relating to the operation and development of the state park system.
(b) Act as an advocate for the state park system.
(c) Review existing statutes and capital appropriations relating to the state park system and recommend to the general court any changes needed to improve efficiency and clarify responsibilities in the operation of the state park system.
(d) Review, with the assistance of the attorney general, all agreements, memoranda of understanding, leases, special use permits, deeds, or other legal documents to which the division of parks and recreation, or the department of resources and economic development, or both, are a party.
(e) Investigate the development of new incentives to encourage nonprofit clubs, “friends” groups, or other individuals or organizations to assist with construction, maintenance, scientific research, visitor services, and other activities required for the efficient operation of the state park system.
(f) Submit a report of its findings to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library no later than November 1 each year.
359:5 Repeal. Section 4 of this act is repealed effective June 30, 2010.
359:6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Approved: July 17, 2007
Effective: September 15, 2007