This bill mandates the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to create a short-notice reservation system for New Hampshire residents, allowing them to make day-use reservations for state parks within 48 hours of their intended visit. The bill amends RSA 216-A:1, II to include provisions for booking and reservation systems, and introduces a new paragraph in RSA 216-A:2 that prioritizes access for local residents. Specifically, it defines "local residents" as New Hampshire residents aged 18 or older living within a town that connects to the park or within a 5-mile radius. The reservation system will reserve a percentage of day-use spaces for these residents, ensuring fair access to facilities such as walking trails, beaches, and picnic areas, while excluding parks that primarily offer overnight accommodations.

Additionally, the bill outlines the implementation of this reservation system, which will allow local residents to book day-use reservations up to the day of entry and will operate on a first-come, first-served basis. The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources is tasked with adopting rules to enforce these provisions and conducting periodic reviews for compliance. However, the bill raises concerns regarding potential violations of the Land and Water Conservation Fund regulations, which prohibit residency-based discrimination in reservation systems. The Department estimates that the costs associated with compliance and system updates could exceed $2.5 million, with further expenditures anticipated for staffing and infrastructure adjustments.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 216-A:1, 216-A:2
HB657 text: 216-A:1, 216-A:2