HF 510 (LSB 2432HV (1) 87)

HOUSE FILE 510

BY  COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

(SUCCESSOR TO HSB 166)

A BILL FOR

An Act authorizing the department of natural resources to establish certain fees at state parks and recreation areas.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 455A.12, Code 2017, is amended to read as follows:
   455A.12  Gift certificates for special privilege fees at state parks and recreation areas.
   The department of natural resources shall publish and make available for purchase by the general public, gift certificates entitling the bearer of the certificate to free camping and other special privileges at state parks and recreation areas. The department shall establish prices for the certificates based on amounts required to be paid in fees for camping and special privileges pursuant to section 461A.47 455A.14.
    Sec. 2.  NEW SECTION.  455A.14  Camping and rental facilities and other privileges —— fees.
   1.  Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the department of natural resources is authorized to establish fees for camping and use of rental facilities and other special privileges at state parks and recreation areas under the jurisdiction of the department.
   2.  The fees established by the department pursuant to this section shall be in such amounts as may be determined by the department based on the cost of providing the privileges and the reasonable value of such privileges. Such fees may be increased, reduced, or waived by the department for special promotional events or efforts or on the basis of special seasonal or holiday rates, on a statewide basis or on the basis of an individual state park or recreation area. 
   3.  Fees established pursuant to this section shall be considered a specification of prices to be charged for goods or services as provided in section 17A.2, subsection 11, paragraph “g”.
    Sec. 3.  REPEAL.  Section 461A.47, Code 2017, is repealed.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill provides that, notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the department of natural resources is authorized to establish fees for camping and use of rental facilities and other special privileges at state parks and recreation areas under the jurisdiction of the department. Currently, the natural resource commission is authorized to establish such fees under Code section 461A.47, which is repealed by the bill.
   The bill also provides that fees established by the department pursuant to the bill’s provisions shall be in such amounts as may be determined by the department based on the cost of providing the privileges and the reasonable value of such privileges. Such fees may be increased, reduced, or waived by the department for special promotional events or efforts or on the basis of special seasonal or holiday rates, on a statewide basis or on the basis of an individual state park or recreation area. The bill provides that fees established pursuant to the bill are considered a specification of the prices to be charged for goods or services sold by an agency and are not considered rules for purposes of Code chapter 17A.
   A coordinating change is made to Code section 455A.12.