This bill mandates that the commissioner of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources set state park entry fees for New Hampshire residents at no more than 50 percent of the fees charged to nonresidents. It allows for the establishment of separate fee schedules for specific uses within state parks, such as camping and facility rentals, while ensuring that residents are charged no more than 90 percent of the fees for these services compared to nonresidents. Additionally, the bill permits discounted or waived rates for veterans and school or student groups. The residency of individuals can be verified through various forms of identification, including state-issued IDs and vehicle registrations.

The bill amends RSA 216-A:3-g, I by inserting provisions that outline these new fee structures and residency verification methods, while also clarifying that the general court does not intend for all park facilities to be self-supporting. The effective date for these changes is set for April 1, 2027. The fiscal impact of the bill is indeterminable, with potential revenue decreases estimated at around $1.5 million to increases of $2 million annually, depending on visitor behavior and fee adjustments. Implementation costs for modifying systems to accommodate the new fee structure are expected to exceed $100,000.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 216-A:3-g
SB511 text: 216-A:3-g