This bill amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act by modifying the distribution of recreation passport fee revenue. It establishes a new allocation structure, 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 revises 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 and expenditures related to recreation passport fees. It also includes provisions for adjusting revenue amounts based on the Consumer Price Index and outlines the definitions of key terms such as "Consumer Price Index" and "participation rate." The amendments are set to take effect on October 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 324.2045