Bill > SB511

This bill requires the commissioner of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to implement a new fee structure for New Hampshire state parks that provides significant financial benefits to state residents. Specifically, the bill mandates that entry fees for New Hampshire residents must be no more than 50 percent of the fees charged to nonresidents, with residents being able to prove their status through various means such as state-issued ID, utility bills, vehicle registrations, or license plates. The bill also allows the commissioner to create separate fee schedules for specific park services like camping, facility rental, parking, and boat rentals, ensuring that residents are charged no more than 90 percent of the nonresident rate for these services. Additionally, the legislation provides flexibility for the commissioner to offer discounted or waived rates for veterans and school or student groups. While the bill does not provide direct funding, the fiscal analysis suggests it could impact state park revenues, potentially decreasing revenues by up to $1.5 million or increasing them by up to $2 million annually, with implementation costs estimated between $100,000 and $500,000. The new fee structure will take effect on April 1, 2027, giving the department time to modify its reservation and point-of-sale systems to accommodate the changes.

Budget and Finance

https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=1295&inflect=2