Text to be removed highlighted in red.
1 Expansion of State Park System; Intent. Amend RSA 216-A:1, II to read as follows:
II. To continually provide such additional park areas and facilities as may be necessary to meet the recreational needs of the citizens of all regions of the state.
2 New Paragraph; Reservation System for Local Residents. Amend RSA 216-A:2 by inserting after paragraph VIII the following new paragraph:
IX. The director shall develop and implement a reservation system for state parks that prioritizes access for local New Hampshire residents for day-use reservations, ensuring that a portion of day-use spaces are reserved for local residents. The system shall:
(a) Allow local residents, defined as New Hampshire residents aged 18 or older living within a town connecting to the park or within a town that falls entirely or partially within a 5-mile radius of the park, to book day-use reservations up to and including the day of park entry;
(b) Reserve a percentage of day-use spaces or a set number of day-use spaces specifically for local residents, ensuring fair and prioritized access; and
(c) Apply to state parks offering walking, hiking, biking trails, beaches, and picnic areas, excluding parks primarily providing overnight accommodations or camping facilities.
3 New Section; Local Resident Day-Use Reservation System. Amend RSA 216-A by inserting after section3- o the following new section:
216-A:3-p Local Resident Day-Use Reservation System.
I. In this section:
(a) "Day-use reservation" means a reservation for non-overnight use of state park facilities, including but not limited to pavilions, picnic areas, and beaches.
(b) "Local resident" means a resident of New Hampshire who is at least 18 years of age and lives within a town connecting to the park or within a town that falls entirely or partially within a 5-mile radius of the park.
II.(a) The department of natural and cultural resources shall implement and maintain a reservation system that allows local residents to book day-use reservations up to and including the day of park entry.
(b) The reservation system shall reserve a percentage of day-use spaces or a set number of day-use spaces specifically for local residents, similar to the allocation of handicapped parking spaces at commercial establishments.
(c) Reserved day-use spaces shall be made available to local residents on a first-come, first-served basis.
III. This section applies to state parks that offer walking, hiking, or biking trails, beaches, and picnic areas. It does not apply to parks that primarily provide overnight accommodations or camping facilities.
IV.(a) The department of natural and cultural resources shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, to implement and enforce the provisions of this section.
(b) The department shall conduct periodic reviews to ensure compliance with the requirements under this section and make adjustments as necessary.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
1 Expansion of State Park System; Intent. Amend RSA 216-A:1, II to read as follows:
II. To continually provide such additional park areas , facilities , and booking and reservation systems, as may be necessary to meet the recreational needs of the citizens of all regions of the state.
2 New Paragraph; Reservation System for Local Residents. Amend RSA 216-A:2 by inserting after paragraph VIII the following new paragraph:
IX. The director shall develop and implement a reservation system for state parks that prioritizes access for local New Hampshire residents for day-use reservations, ensuring that a portion of day-use spaces are reserved for local residents. The system shall:
(a) Allow local residents, defined as New Hampshire residents aged 18 or older living within a town connecting to the park or within a town that falls entirely or partially within a 5-mile radius of the park, to book day-use reservations up to and including the day of park entry;
(b) Reserve a percentage of day-use spaces or a set number of day-use spaces specifically for local residents, ensuring fair and prioritized access; and
(c) Apply to state parks offering walking, hiking, biking trails, beaches, and picnic areas, excluding parks primarily providing overnight accommodations or camping facilities.
3 New Section; Local Resident Day-Use Reservation System. Amend RSA 216-A by inserting after section3- o the following new section:
216-A:3-p Local Resident Day-Use Reservation System.
I. In this section:
(a) "Day-use reservation" means a reservation for non-overnight use of state park facilities, including but not limited to pavilions, picnic areas, and beaches.
(b) "Local resident" means a resident of New Hampshire who is at least 18 years of age and lives within a town connecting to the park or within a town that falls entirely or partially within a 5-mile radius of the park.
II.(a) The department of natural and cultural resources shall implement and maintain a reservation system that allows local residents to book day-use reservations up to and including the day of park entry.
(b) The reservation system shall reserve a percentage of day-use spaces or a set number of day-use spaces specifically for local residents, similar to the allocation of handicapped parking spaces at commercial establishments.
(c) Reserved day-use spaces shall be made available to local residents on a first-come, first-served basis.
III. This section applies to state parks that offer walking, hiking, or biking trails, beaches, and picnic areas. It does not apply to parks that primarily provide overnight accommodations or camping facilities.
IV.(a) The department of natural and cultural resources shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, to implement and enforce the provisions of this section.
(b) The department shall conduct periodic reviews to ensure compliance with the requirements under this section and make adjustments as necessary.
4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.