1 STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2 2nd Session of the 59th Legislature (2024)
3 SENATE BILL 1253 By: Burns
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6 AS INTRODUCED
7 An Act relating to state parks; prohibiting
occupation of a reserved campsite; prohibiting
8 certain entries into a state park without payment of
entry fee; setting administrative fine; providing for
9 collection and deposit of certain fines; amending 74
O.S. 2021, Section 2220, which relates to collection
10 of rates and fees of state parks; authorizing the
Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission to
11 establish entrance fees, day-use fees, or passes for
nonresidents entering state park; establishing
12 maximum daily fee; providing for proof of residency;
removing provision for certain age group rates;
13 providing for codification; and providing an
effective date.
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16 BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
17 SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
18 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 2217.2 of Title 74, unless there
19 is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
20 A. No person shall:
21 1. Physically occupy a campsite identified as “Reserved” by
22 Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department staff or by the park
23 reservation system, or fail to vacate a campsite within a reasonable
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1 time after being notified of the campsite’s reserved status by
2 Department staff; or
3 2. Enter an area of a state park that requires payment of an
4 entry fee for the person’s recreational vehicle or travel trailer
5 without having first paid the entry fee.
6 B. Any violation of the provisions of this section may be
7 punishable by an administrative fine not exceeding:
8 1. Fifty Dollars ($50.00) for a first offense;
9 2. One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for a second offense; and
10 3. Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) for any third or
11 subsequent offense.
12 C. All monies collected pursuant to this section shall be
13 deposited in the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department
14 Revolving Fund.
15 SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 74 O.S. 2021, Section 2220, is
16 amended to read as follows:
17 Section 2220. A. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation
18 Commission may prescribe and collect reasonable rates and fees
19 pursuant to the provisions of this section for the services,
20 facilities, and commodities rendered by all property of the
21 Commission.
22 1. The Commission may establish maximum rates for rooms at the
23 state lodges and cabins, for recreational activities, for
24 recreational vehicles and camping sites, and for community
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1 facilities under control of the Commission. The method whereby the
2 rates are determined shall be promulgated pursuant to Article I of
3 the Administrative Procedures Act. At least twenty (20) days prior
4 to the adoption or approval of any rate changes by the Commission,
5 the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department shall submit a copy
6 of the proposed rates, for informational purposes, to the Governor,
7 Speaker of the House of Representatives, and President Pro Tempore
8 of the Senate. Any change in the rates during the year when the
9 Legislature is not in session shall be reported in writing to the
10 Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and President Pro
11 Tempore of the Senate within five (5) business days of such
12 Commission action.
13 2. The Commission may establish maximum charges for all
14 activities at state-owned golf courses. The charges may vary among
15 the different golf courses according to the practices of the golf
16 industry. The method whereby the maximum charges are determined
17 shall be in accordance with rules promulgated pursuant to Article I
18 of the Administrative Procedures Act. At least twenty (20) days
19 prior to the adoption or approval of any rate changes by the
20 Commission, the Department shall submit a copy of such proposed
21 charges, for informational purposes, to the Governor, Speaker of the
22 House of Representatives, and President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
23 3. The Commission may establish entrance or day-use charges for
24 the state park system for nonresidents not to exceed Sixteen Dollars
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1 ($16.00) per day. All monies collected from entrance or day-use
2 charges shall be used at the state parks where the charges were
3 collected. The Commission may establish an annual pass, or other
4 varied passes as appropriate to that park, for visitors; provided,
5 the entrance fee, day-use charge, or annual pass or other passes
6 established in this paragraph shall not be charged to visitors of
7 the state park system that are residents of this state. Residency
8 may be established by presentation of a state driver license, a
9 state license for identification only, birth certificate, or any
10 other form of identification authorized by the Commission. The
11 method whereby the maximum charges are determined, sold, and
12 collected shall be in accordance with rules promulgated pursuant to
13 Article I of the Administrative Procedures Act. At least twenty
14 (20) days prior to the adoption or approval of any rate changes by
15 the Commission, the Department shall submit a copy of such proposed
16 charges, for informational purposes, to the Governor, Speaker of the
17 House of Representatives, and President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
18 4. Fees shall be promulgated pursuant to Article I of the
19 Administrative Procedures Act.
20 5. Fees may reflect the seasonal usage of the parks and
21 facilities and for promotional purposes and goals.
22 B. All fees, licenses, and other charges shall be posted in a
23 convenient place in each park. Every person using any of the
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1 facilities in a park shall be charged the same fees, licenses, and
2 every other charge except:
3 1. Residents of this state sixty-two (62) years of age and over
4 and their spouses shall not be charged any admission fees for
5 entrance into any state-owned and -operated park. The Commission
6 may promulgate rules establishing different fees for residents and
7 nonresidents sixty-two (62) years of age and over. Identification
8 may be established by presentation of proof of age, residency, a
9 state driver license, a state license for identification only, birth
10 certificate, or any other form of identification authorized by the
11 Commission;
12 2. Individuals Nonresidents who have been certified as totally
13 disabled under state or federal law and their spouses shall be
14 entitled to a fifty percent (50%) reduction of fees which apply to
15 recreational-use facilities;
16 3. Children’s Nonresident children’s groups, volunteer groups
17 as specified by the Commission, or governmental entities that
18 provide beneficial services at the facility for which the fee may be
19 reduced or waived; and
20 4. Special discount rates as authorized in this section may be
21 waived for individuals nonresidents who are members of a group being
22 provided a special group rate as allowed by law.
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1 C. The failure to collect such fees, licenses, and other
2 charges shall subject an employee of the Commission to a fine of
3 Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) for each and every violation.
4 SECTION 3. This act shall become effective November 1, 2024.
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6 59-2-2566 MR 12/7/2023 4:13:47 PM
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