BILL NUMBER: S2723
SPONSOR: ORTT
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in
relation to providing veterans free use of cabins and cottages located
in public places of recreation within the state
 
PURPOSE:
This legislation allows for the free use of cabins and cottages for any
blind, non-ambulatory, or amputee or any veteran with certain service
based disabilities for a period of fourteen days in a year.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends Section 13.19 of the parks, recreation and historic
preservation law to include cabins and cottages as free campsites up to
a period of 14 days for any blind, non-ambulatory, or amputee or any
veteran who has been awarded by the federal government an allowance
towards the purchase of an automobile or is eligible for such an award.
Section 2 is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Under current law any blind, non-ambulatory, or amputee or any veteran
with certain service based disabilities currently qualifies for free use
of any public campsites, park, or other place of public recreation with-
out payment. However, currently the State operates certain cabins and
cottages located within State Parks that are interpreted to be excluded
from this law. This legislation seeks to remove the distinction that is
made between what is currently covered and what is not.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
S.692/A.2270 of 2023/2024; Referred to Veterans, Homeland Security and
Military Affairs
S. 3491 of 2021/2022; Referred to Veterans, Homeland Security and Mili-
tary Affairs
S. 283 of 2019/2020; Referred to Veterans, Homeland Security and Mili-
tary Affairs
S. 1213A of 2017-2018; Referred to Veterans, Homeland Security and Mili-
tary Affairs
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S2723: 13.19 parks recreation and historic preservation law, 13.19(1) parks recreation and historic preservation law