This bill amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, specifically section 2045, to revise the distribution of recreation passport fee revenue. It establishes a new allocation framework, prioritizing necessary expenses for the Secretary of State and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, with each receiving up to $1,000,000 annually for the first three years and $500,000 thereafter. The bill also modifies the distribution of remaining revenue based on the participation rate of the previous fiscal year, with different percentages allocated to the state park improvement account, local public recreation facilities fund, and forest recreation account depending on whether the participation rate was below or above 55%.

Additionally, the bill introduces new reporting requirements for the Department of State and the Department of Natural Resources, mandating annual reports on revenue collection and allocation, as well as a biennial report on the usage of state parks by vehicles that declined to pay the recreation passport fee. The bill also clarifies definitions related to the Consumer Price Index and participation rate, and it is set to take effect on October 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 324.2045