HSB 715 (LSB 5199YC (2) 91)

HOUSE FILE _____ 

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY BILL BY CHAIRPERSON VONDRAN)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to camping, including camper and cabin limits at youth camps and emergency safety requirements at campgrounds.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  466D.1  Definitions.
   For purposes of this chapter:
   1.  “Cabin” means a structure used to provide temporary sleeping quarters for campers.
   2.  “Camper” means a minor who is attending a youth camp on a day care or boarding basis.
   3.  “Campground” means a commercial property designed to provide cabins for transient overnight guest use or a recreational vehicle park.
   4.  “Department” means the department of natural resources.
   5.  “Floodplain” means the same as “floodplains” as defined in section 455B.261.
   6.  “Recreational vehicle park” means a commercial property that is designed primarily for recreational vehicle transient guest use and for which fees for site service connections for recreational vehicles are paid daily, weekly, or monthly.
   7.  “Youth camp” means a facility or property that meets all of the following criteria:
   a.  Has the general characteristics of a day camp, resident camp, or travel camp.
   b.  Is used primarily or partially for recreational, athletic, religious, or educational activities.
   c.  Accommodates at least five minors who attend or temporarily reside at the camp for all or part of at least four days.
    Sec. 2.  NEW SECTION.  466D.2  Youth camps.
   The department shall adopt rules establishing limits on all of the following in relation to the flood risk at youth camps:
   1.  The number of campers allowed at a youth camp located in a floodplain at any one time.
   2.  The number of cabins allowed on the premises of a youth camp.
    Sec. 3.  NEW SECTION.  466D.3  Campgrounds —— emergency systems.
   1.  A campground operating in the state of Iowa shall have an emergency alarm system installed and operating within the campground that can function without an internet connection.
   2.  A campground operating in the state of Iowa shall post emergency evacuation directions in all structures within the campground.
    Sec. 4.  NEW SECTION.  466D.4  Delegation of authority.
   The department shall have the power and authority reasonably necessary to effectuate this chapter.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to campgrounds, including camper and cabin limits at youth camps and emergency safety requirements at campgrounds.
   The bill creates definitions for terms used in the bill. The bill requires the department of natural resources (department) to adopt rules establishing limits, based on flood risk, on the number of campers allowed at a youth camp located in a floodplain at any one time and the number of cabins permitted on the premises of a youth camp.
   The bill requires all campgrounds to have an emergency alarm system installed and operating that can function without an internet connection and to post emergency evacuation directions in all structures within the campground.
   The bill grants the department the power and authority reasonably necessary to effectuate the bill.