The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
BILL: SB 232
INTRODUCER: Senators Harrell and Gibson
SUBJECT: State Park Fee Discounts
DATE: January 7, 2022 REVISED:
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Brown Caldwell MS Favorable
2. Collazo Rogers EN Favorable
3. AP
I. Summary:
SB 232 revises the current benefit on state park fees provided to active duty members and
honorably discharged veterans of the United States Armed Forces (U.S.A.F.), National Guard, or
reserve components of the U.S.A.F. or National Guard. State park fees generated are deposited
into the State Park Trust Fund, to support the administration, improvement, and maintenance of
state parks. Current law provides a qualifying servicemember or veteran with a 25 percent
discount on an annual entrance pass. This bill limits the benefit to Florida residents and increases
the monetary value to that of a lifetime family annual entrance pass at no charge.
A fiscal impact is expected from a reduction in revenue from this bill.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2022.
II. Present Situation:
Recreation Benefits for Servicemembers and Veterans, Overall
The following discounts on state park fees apply with written documentation to:
Active duty members and honorably discharged veterans of the United States Armed Forces
(U.S.A.F), National Guard, or reserve components: 25-percent discount on annual entrance
passes.1
Honorably discharged veterans who have service-connected disabilities: lifetime family
annual entrance passes at no charge.2
1
Section 258.0145(1), F.S.
2
Section 258.0145(2), F.S.
BILL: SB 232 Page 2
Surviving spouses and parents of deceased members of the U.S.A.F., National Guard, or
reserve components who died in combat: lifetime family annual entrance passes at no
charge.3
A partial or full discount on county park fees applies to:
Current members of the U.S.A.F., their reserve components, or the National Guard.4
Honorably discharged veterans of the U.S.A.F., a reserve component, or the National Guard,
and those veterans with a service-connected disability.5
Surviving spouses and parents of a deceased member of the U.S.A.F, a reserve component,
or the National Guard, who died in combat.6
A member of the U.S.A.F. stationed in the state, or his or her family member residing with him
or her, is considered a resident for purposes of applying for a hunting, fishing, or other
recreational license.7 A resident pays reduced fees on licenses, such as paying $15.50 for an
annual freshwater or saltwater fishing license, rather than $45.50; $15.50 for an annual hunting
license to take game, rather than $150; and $46.50 for the option of an annual combined hunting,
freshwater fishing, and saltwater fishing license (no such option is available for a combination
license for a nonresident).8
Additionally, disabled veterans; active duty or reserve duty servicemembers of the U.S.A.F., the
U.S. Coast Guard, military reserves, the Florida National Guard, or the U.S. Coast Guard
Reserve; the immediate family (i.e. parent, spouse, or child) of such disabled veterans and
servicemembers; and one additional person designated to assist a disabled veteran, are exempt
from having to possess a hunting, freshwater fishing, or saltwater fishing license or permit during
outdoor recreational events whose primary purpose is the rehabilitation or enjoyment of disabled
veterans.9
An annual military gold sportsman’s license is available to a resident active or retired member of
the U.S.A.F., U.S.A.F. Reserve, the National Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard, or the U.S. Coast
Guard Reserve.10 It costs $18.50, rather than the $98.50 charged for the annual gold sportsman’s
license, which authorizes the same activities.11 Activities authorized under the annual military
gold sportsman’s license include the taking of freshwater fish, saltwater fish, and game, subject
to state and federal law, rules, and regulations.12 Other eligible activities include those authorized
by a management area permit, a muzzle-loading gun season permit, a crossbow season permit, a
turkey permit, a Florida waterfowl permit, a deer permit, an archery season permit, a snook
permit, and a spiny lobster permit.13
3
Section 258.0145(3), F.S.
4
Section 125.029(1)(a), F.S.
5
Section 125.029(1)(b)-(c), F.S.
6
Section 125.029(1)(d), F.S.
7
Section 379.101(30)(b)1., F.S.
8
Compare s. 379.354(4) with s. 379.354(5), F.S.
9
Section 379.353(2)(q), F.S.
10
Section 379.354(4)(j), F.S.
11
Section 379.354(4)(i) and (j), F.S.
12
Id.
13
Id.
BILL: SB 232 Page 3
Fees for Entrance to State Parks
The Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Recreation and Parks may charge
reasonable fees, rentals, or charges for the use or operation of facilities and concessions in state
parks.14 All fees, rentals, and charges collected are deposited in the State Treasury for the benefit
of the State Park Trust Fund (Trust Fund); monies collected in the Trust Fund are to be used for
the administration, improvement, and maintenance of state parks and for purchasing and
developing land for state park purposes.15
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
SB 232 revises the current benefit on state park fees provided to active duty members and
honorably discharged veterans of the United States Armed Forces (U.S.A.F.), National Guard, or
reserve components of the U.S.A.F. or National Guard. Current law provides a qualifying
servicemember or veteran with a 25-percent discount on an annual entrance pass. This bill limits
the benefit to Florida residents and increases the monetary value to that of a lifetime family
annual entrance pass at no charge.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2022.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None.
14
Section 258.014(1), F.S.
15
Id.
BILL: SB 232 Page 4
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
Yes, see C. Government Sector Impact below.
B. Private Sector Impact:
Active duty servicemembers and veterans and their families who are Florida residents
will pay no annual fee, rather than a 25-percent discounted fee, for entrance to state
parks.
C. Government Sector Impact:
In Fiscal Year 2020-2021, Florida State Parks received more than $660,000 in revenue
associated with entrance passes for active duty servicemembers and honorably discharged
veterans who receive the current 25 percent discount. For the past five years, the average
annual revenue collected was $580,000. Based on this amount, the Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) estimates an annual reduction of revenue into the State
Parks Trust Fund to be between $500,000 to $650,000.16 Additionally, an indeterminate
impact could result from a loss of revenue from day use entry fees of park users who
availed themselves of the program that were not previously annual pass holders. DEP
also anticipates an increased workload due to park staff having to issue additional annual
passes to this user group.17
The fiscal impact does not include, however, cost savings from limiting the military
benefit to residents. Out-of-state residents who currently qualify for the 25-percent
discount should not be included in the estimate.18
The Revenue Estimating Conference also reviewed the bill for fiscal impact. The
conference estimated a $700,000 recurring impact from the bill. An insignificant negative
impact to sales tax is also expected, as sales tax is currently included in an annual pass.19
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
16
Dep’t of Environmental Protection, 2022 Legislative Session, HB 115 (on file with the Senate Committee on Environment
and Natural Resources).
17
Id.
18
Email from Zach Good, Dep’t of Environmental Protection (Nov. 1, 2021) (on file with the Senate Committee on
Environment and Natural Resources).
19
2022 Regular Session Revenue Estimating Conference, Impact Conference Results (Nov. 19, 2021), 43-44, available at
http://edr.state.fl.us/Content/conferences/revenueimpact/archives/2022/_pdf/page43-44.pdf (last visited Jan. 5, 2022).
BILL: SB 232 Page 5
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill substantially amends section 258.0145 of the Florida Statutes.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.
Statutes affected: S 232 Filed: 258.0145