Revision: Feb. 6, 2013, midnight
SB 190-FN – AS INTRODUCED
2013 SESSION
01/04
SENATE BILL 190-FN
AN ACT relative to admission fees for certain persons at state parks and historical sites.
SPONSORS: Sen. Stiles, Dist 24; Rep. Renzullo, Hills 37; Rep. Borden, Rock 24
This bill changes the fee for admission to state parks and historical sites for certain New Hampshire national guard members who are retired and for persons 65 years of age or older to one-half the admission charge. Current law allows such persons to gain admission to such parks and historical sites for free. This bill eliminates the discount coupon fee books issued by the director of the division of parks and recreation. The bill also clarifies the fees for members of the general court and governor and council.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
13-0394
01/04
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Thirteen
AN ACT relative to admission fees for certain persons at state parks and historical sites.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Fees for Park System. Amend RSA 216-A:3-g, V(b) to read as follows:
(b) Any New Hampshire national guard member who retired in pay grade E6 or below shall [not] be charged [a] one-half the fee for day-use admission to the state park system.
2 Fees for Park System. Amend RSA 218:5-c to read as follows:
218:5-c Admission [Without Charge] to State Parks. Any person who is a resident of this state and who has attained the age of 65 shall, upon proper identification, be admitted to any state recreation area, including but not limited to parks, historical sites, beaches, and state-operated ski areas, [without charge] at half the fee for day use admission. Persons qualifying under this section shall be allowed to use any state owned facility within the recreation area [without charge] at half the fee for the use of the facility, except persons qualifying under this section shall be charged the usual fee for the use of so-called “uphill devices” on Saturdays and Sundays. Provided further that other special charges at state owned recreation areas, such as fees charged for parking at parking meters, shall be charged persons qualifying under this section at the usual rates. The provisions of this section shall not apply to state owned campsites or camping areas or state-owned ski areas operated by a lessee.
3 New Section; Admission to State Parks; General Court; Governor and Council. Amend RSA 218 by inserting after section 5-c the following new section:
218:5-d Admission to State Parks for Members of the General Court and Governor and Council. Current members of the general court and members of governor and council are granted admission at half the fee for day-use areas for themselves and one guest with presentation of their credentials, including entry for one vehicle using a single parking space at Hampton Beach-South and Wallis Sands. The reduced admission fee shall not apply to camping, attractions, metered parking, function space, permits, other enterprise and concession activities. Any member of the general court, or governor and council shall not be charged if they are conducting state business with presentation of their credentials.
4 Parking Privileges for Persons With Walking Disability. Amend RSA 265:74 to read as follows:
265:74 Parking Privileges for Persons With Walking Disability. Any motor vehicle carrying the special plates or hanging windshield placard issued to a person with a walking disability under RSA 261:88, or a similar license plate displaying the international accessibility symbol shall be allowed free parking in any city or town, including any [state or] municipal parking facility where a fee is charged and shall be entitled to one-half the daily parking fee to any state park where daily parking fees are charged. Each city or town shall have the discretion to set the time periods using guidelines which shall be provided by the governor’s commission on disability. The free parking shall only be allowed if the person who qualifies for the special plates or hanging placard is being transported in the vehicle to or from the parking place. Parking places designated for persons with walking disabilities shall be utilized only if a person with a walking disability is being transported in the vehicle to or from the parking place. Notwithstanding the provisions of any local ordinance which has been adopted to regulate parking in places designated for persons with walking disabilities, any person who is convicted under this section shall be guilty of a violation and fined not less than $250.
5 Repeal. RSA 218:5-b, relative to discount coupons for state parks, is repealed.
6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
LBAO
13-0394
Revised 02/06/13
SB 190 FISCAL NOTE
AN ACT relative to admission fees for certain persons at state parks and historical sites.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Department of Resources and Economic Development states this bill, as introduced, may increase state restricted revenues by $73,370 in FY 2014 and each year thereafter. There is no fiscal impact on county and local revenue, or state, county, and local expenditures.
METHODOLOGY:
The Department of Resources and Economic Development states this bill changes the admission fee to state parks and historical sites for certain retired New Hampshire national guard members, for persons 65 years of age or older, for members of the general court and for executive council members to be one-half the admission charge; eliminates the discount coupon fee books issued by the Department; and sets the daily parking fee to any state park where a fee is charged to one-half the daily parking fee for a person with a walking disability. The Department estimates this bill will increase fee revenue to the state park fund by $73,370 in FY 2014 and each year thereafter based on the following figures for FY 2012, except for the retired national guard visitors which is based on FY 2011 information:
Number of Visitors |
Additional Revenue | |
Retired NH National Guard (E1-E6) |
569 |
$650 |
NH Senior 65 years or older |
19,582 |
$54,722 |
General Court and Executive Council members |
148 |
$606 |
Walking Disabled |
2,128 |
$15,958 |
Number of Coupons |
||
Discount Coupons |
7,170 |
$1,434 |
Total Revenue |
$73,370 |