LOWER PARK FEES FOR SENIORS AND VETERANS
House Bills 4426 and 4427
Sponsor: Rep. Randy Richardville
Committee: Conservation and Outdoor Recreation
Complete to 5-29-01
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILLS 4426 AND 4427 AS INTRODUCED 3-7-01
The bills would amend Parts 741 and 781 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA), concerning the state parks system and the State Waterways Commission, respectively, to provide for lower entrance and user fees for veterans and for seniors.
House Bill 4426. Curently, under the act, the owner of each motor vehicle entering a state park must obtain either a daily or an annual park permit. Annual permits cost $20. However, a resident who is 65 years of age or older is entitled to receive a special annual park permit at one-quarter the amount of the annual permit fee. The bill would extend this provision to include veterans (a "veteran" is defined under the bill to mean a person who has served in the U.S. military, naval, marine, or coast guard forces, or in the National Guard, and who has been released or discharged under honorable circumstances). Under the bill, a veteran would have to provide the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with documentation, in a manner prescribed by the department, that he or she was eligible for the special annual park permit.
House Bill 4427. Currently, the act specifies that the DNR may charge fees for both daily and seasonal use of state-operated public access sites, provided that the cost of collecting the fees does not exceed the revenue derived from them for daily and seasonal passes. The bill would amend the act to specify that the fee for a seasonal pass for a person 65 years of age or older would be one-third of the amount of the fee for a regular seasonal pass.
MCL 324.74117 and 324.78105
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.