Brief (1)
SB 316, as passed by the House, would impose annual and temporary state park motor vehicle permit fees for those 65 years of age or older and individuals with disabilities at one-half the current fee rate. Seniors would remain eligible for free hunting and fishing licenses.
As passed by the Senate, SB 316 would have imposed annual and temporary state park motor vehicle permit fees for those 65 years of age or older and individuals with disabilities at one-half the current fee rate. Additionally, the Senate version of the bill would have charged seniors one-half the current fee rate for hunting and fishing licenses.
Background
Senior citizens and individuals with disabilities currently are statutorily exempt from state park motor vehicle fees and senior citizens are exempt from hunting and fishing license fees. The bill, as introduced, would have set the fee for an annual or temporary state park vehicle permit at the rate of $14.75 (one-half of $29.50), and motor vehicle entrance fee would have increased to $1.75 (one-half of $3.50). The fee for an annual hunting and fishing license would have been $7.50 (one-half of $15.00) for senior citizens, as the bill was introduced. The current fee of $5.00 for hunting and fishing licenses for individuals with disabilities would continue in effect.
The Wildlife and Parks Commission submitted the proposal to charge fees for those 65 years of age or older or the disabled following a meeting with the Legislative Budget Committee during the 1998 interim. The House Appropriations Committee recommended the issue as a 1998 interim study topic.
The Department of Wildlife and Parks, Riley County Fish and Game Association, Kansas Recreation and Park Association, the Kansas Wildlife Federation, and the Kansas Wildlife Society testified in support of the bill before the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. There were no opponents.
The House Committee on Tourism also held a hearing on the bill. Proponents included Senator Dave Kerr, Representative Jeff Peterson, the Secretary of Wildlife and Parks, the Travel Industry Association of Kansas, the Kansas Recreation and Parks Association, the Riley County Fish and Game Association, and the Cheney Lake Association. Opponents included Family Campers and RVers, Kansas Campers and RVers, the Clinton Lake Ministry, the Topeka Independent Living Association, and several individuals.
According to 1998 National State Parks Information Exchange:
The fiscal note prepared on the original bill indicates that the bill would increase state revenue by a maximum of $676,073 and federal revenue by a maximum of $215,475. The bill will increase revenues but expenditure of the increased funds would remain subject to appropriation by the Legislature.
1. *Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/bill_search.html