This bill mandates that the Division of Parks and Recreation in New Hampshire must provide a 2-day exclusive reservation window for New Hampshire residents to book state park campsites before opening reservations to out-of-state visitors. To reserve a campsite and upon checking into the campground, New Hampshire residents are required to present a valid New Hampshire driver's license or other official government photo identification. The bill is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

The fiscal note attached to the bill indicates that the financial impact on the state is indeterminate. The Division of Parks and Recreation, which uses ReserveAmerica for its reservation system, may face challenges in implementing the 2-day advance window due to the rolling nature of reservations made 11 months in advance. Additionally, software changes by ReserveAmerica may incur additional fees, and interfacing with the NH Division of Motor Vehicles could be necessary to verify IDs. The bill could potentially decrease revenue for the State Park Fund, as approximately 65% of current reservations are made by out-of-state campers who might choose to camp elsewhere. The exact financial impact, including potential revenue loss from voided reservations if non-residents violate the 2-day window, cannot be determined at this time.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 216-A:3-c