HB0181 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB097 05787 CEL 45855 b

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
HB0181

Introduced 1/18/2011, by Rep. JoAnn D. Osmond

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 805/805-555 new

Amends the Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Authorizes the Department to charge an annual vehicle admission fee and daily access fee for entrance to properties owned, managed, or both by the Department. Provides that the annual vehicle admission fee must not exceed $15 for each vehicle or motorcycle and that the daily access fee may not exceed $10 for each vehicle or $2.50 for each pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist. Provides that the Department must not charge an annual vehicle admission fee or a daily access fee to Illinois residents who are either disabled or veterans and must charge discounted fees to seniors. Provides that vehicles with current registered environmental or sportsman series license plates are exempt from these fees. Authorizes the Department to create a volunteer pass program that would allow each person who provides 500 or more hours of volunteer service at a State park (and up to 3 of his or her guests) to enter properties owned, managed, or both by the Department without paying an annual vehicle admission fee or a daily access fee. Requires revenue generated by the annual vehicle admission and daily access fees to be deposited into the State Parks Fund. Provides that each State park shall receive 100% of the revenue that it generates from these fees for its operation and maintenance costs. Authorizes the Department to adopt any rules necessary to implement these fees. Effective July 1, 2011.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Department of Natural Resources (Conservation) Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by adding Section 805-555 as follows:

(20 ILCS 805/805-555 new)

Sec. 805-555. Entrance fees.

(a) The General Assembly finds that a dedicated funding stream needs to be established for the operation and maintenance of State parks to help ensure that these State treasures will be properly maintained and remain accessible to the public for generations to come.

(b) The Department may charge an annual vehicle admission fee, which may not exceed $15 for each vehicle or motorcycle, for access to properties owned, managed, or both by the Department. The Department must issue an annual vehicle admission sticker to each applicant who pays the annual vehicle admission fee. For an additional fee of $10 per vehicle, the Department may issue each applicant additional vehicle admission stickers for other vehicles owned or occupied by that applicant. The Department may issue replacement stickers for a fee not to exceed $5.00 per sticker.

(c) The Department may charge a daily access fee to pedestrians and to the owners of vehicles that do not have a current annual vehicle sticker. The daily access fee may not exceed $10 for each vehicle or $2.50 for each pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist.

(d) The Department must not charge an annual vehicle admission fee or a daily access fee to Illinois residents who are either disabled or veterans. The annual vehicle admission fee for seniors (age 62 and older) may not exceed $12.50 per person, and the senior daily admission fee may not exceed $2.50 per vehicle or $1.50 per pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist.

(e) Vehicles with current registered environmental or sportsman series license plates are exempt from entrance fees.

(f) The Department may create a volunteer pass program that would allow each person who provides 500 or more hours of volunteer service at a State park and up to 3 of his or her guests to enter properties owned, managed, or both by the Department without paying an annual vehicle admission fee or daily access fee.

(g) The Department may establish up to a $5.00 fee for individuals who use a park without paying the annual vehicle admission fee or daily access fee.

(h) Revenue generated by the annual vehicle admission and daily access fee shall be deposited into the State Parks Fund, a special fund in the State treasury. Each State park shall receive 100% of the revenue that it generates from these fees for its operation and maintenance costs.

(i) The Department may adopt any rules necessary to implement these fees.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2011.