Senate Bill No. 373, also known as the "Passport to the Parks Program," proposes amendments to Section 23-15h of the general statutes, effective July 1, 2024. The bill establishes the Passport to the Parks account as a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund. The funds in this account are to be used for various purposes, including expenses of the Council on Environmental Quality, care, maintenance, operation, and improvement of state parks, state campgrounds, Batterson Park, and Thames River Heritage Park. Additionally, the funds will support soil and water conservation districts and environmental review teams. The bill specifies that all funds collected from the Passport to the Parks Fee, as well as any funds from private or public sources, including municipal or federal government, will be deposited into this account.

The fiscal impact statement indicates that the bill will result in an annual cost to the Passport to the Parks account, starting in FY 25, to cover the expenses related to the care, operation, and maintenance of Batterson Park and Thames River Heritage Park. The anticipated costs are at least $474,500 in FY 25 and at least $724,500 in FY 26 and annually thereafter. The bill may also lead to savings for the municipalities involved with these parks. The bill analysis explains that the Passport to the Parks account is funded by a fee on motor vehicle registrations, and the revenues are used for the operation and maintenance of state parks and other conservation-related entities. The bill was reported favorably by the Appropriations Committee with a vote of 36 in favor and 16 against on April 4, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 23-15h
APP Joint Favorable: 23-15h
File No. 573: 23-15h