SB 217-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2017 SESSION
17-0862
05/01
SENATE BILL 217-FN
AN ACT requiring admission without charge to state parks for children.
SPONSORS: Sen. Woodburn, Dist 1
COMMITTEE: Finance
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This bill provides that children under 15 shall be admitted to state parks and recreation areas without charge.
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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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
17-0862
05/01
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seventeen
AN ACT requiring admission without charge to state parks for children.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 State Recreation Area; Admission Without Charge. Amend RSA 218:5-c to read as follows:
218:5-c Admission Without Charge. Any person who is a resident of this state and who has attained the age of 65 or who is under the age of 15, 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. Persons qualifying under this section shall be allowed to use any state owned facility within the recreation area without charge 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.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
17-0862
1/24/17
SB 217-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT requiring admission without charge to state parks for children.
FISCAL IMPACT: [ X ] State [ ] County [ ] Local [ ] None
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| Estimated Increase / (Decrease) | |||
STATE: | FY 2018 | FY 2019 | FY 2020 | FY 2021 |
Appropriation | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Revenue | Indeterminable Decrease | Indeterminable Decrease | Indeterminable Decrease | Indeterminable Decrease |
Expenditures | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Funding Source: | [ ] General [ ] Education [ ] Highway [ X ] State Park Fund | |||
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METHODOLOGY:
This bill provides free admission to the state parks and recreation areas for children under the age of 15 years old. The Department of Resources and Economic Development looked at the most recent data on summer season park attendance and, due to the mild winter last year, a three year average of winter attendance. Based on this information, and assuming similar attendance in future years, the Department estimated this bill may decrease state park fund revenue as follows:
Summer 2016
$2 Admission from 45,255 NH youth ages 6-11 at state parks $90,510
Adult Admission to parks from 18,385 NH youth ages 12-14 $83,652
Midweek tramway visits from 3,230 NH youth ages 6-14 $45,237
Flume admissions from 11,164 NH youth ages 6-16 $145,657
Total Summer Revenue: $365,056
Winter (3 Year Average)
Cannon midweek -1,117 NH youth skiers ages 6-14 $58,345
383 Cannon season passes - NH youth skiers ages 6-14 $101,648
Total Winter Revenue: $159,993
Estimated Total Revenue Decrease to the State Park Fund: $525,049
In addition, the Department expects free admission of children under the age of 15 would lessen the financial benefit of purchasing a state park license plate. The impact of the bill on state park plate sales cannot be determined. The Department notes state park plate sales provided $409,000 of revenue to the State Park Fund in FY 2016.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Department of Resources and Economic Development
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 14, 2017 | Senate | Hearing |
| Feb. 23, 2017 | Senate | Floor Vote |
Feb. 23, 2017: Inexpedient to Legislate, MA, VV === BILL KILLED ===; 02/23/2017; SJ 7
Feb. 23, 2017: Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate, 02/23/2017; SC 11
Feb. 14, 2017: Hearing: 02/14/2017, Room 103, SH, 01:00 pm; SC 10
Jan. 19, 2017: Introduced 01/19/2017 and Referred to Finance; SJ 5