Bill Text: NH HB657 | 2025 | Regular Session | Introduced

New Hampshire House Bill 657

Introduced

Bill Title: Relative to short-notice booking access for New Hampshire residents to state parks.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2025-02-05 - Executive Session: 02/12/2025 10:15 am Legislative Office Building 305 [HB657 Detail]

Download: New_Hampshire-2025-HB657-Introduced.html

HB 657-FN - AS INTRODUCED

2025 SESSION

25-0326

06/11

HOUSE BILL 657-FN

AN ACT relative to short-notice booking access for New Hampshire residents to state parks.

SPONSORS: Rep. Sellers, Graf. 18

COMMITTEE: Resources, Recreation and Development

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ANALYSIS

This bill requires the department of natural and cultural resources to establish a short-notice reservation system (allowing reservations within 48 hours or less) for New Hampshire residents living near state parks.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

25-0326

06/11

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five

AN ACT relative to short-notice booking access for New Hampshire residents to state parks.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Expansion of State Park System; Intent. Amend RSA 216-A:1, II to read as follows:

II. To continually provide such additional park areas, [and] facilities, and booking and reservation systems, as may be necessary to meet the recreational needs of the citizens of all regions of the state.

2 New Paragraph; Reservation System for Local Residents. Amend RSA 216-A:2 by inserting after paragraph VIII the following new paragraph:

IX. The director shall develop and implement a reservation system for state parks that prioritizes access for local New Hampshire residents for day-use reservations, ensuring that a portion of day-use spaces are reserved for local residents. The system shall:

(a) Allow local residents, defined as New Hampshire residents aged 18 or older living within a town connecting to the park or within a town that falls entirely or partially within a 5-mile radius of the park, to book day-use reservations up to and including the day of park entry;

(b) Reserve a percentage of day-use spaces or a set number of day-use spaces specifically for local residents, ensuring fair and prioritized access; and

(c) Apply to state parks offering walking, hiking, biking trails, beaches, and picnic areas, excluding parks primarily providing overnight accommodations or camping facilities.

3 New Section; Local Resident Day-Use Reservation System. Amend RSA 216-A by inserting after section3- o the following new section:

216-A:3-p Local Resident Day-Use Reservation System.

I. In this section:

(a) "Day-use reservation" means a reservation for non-overnight use of state park facilities, including but not limited to pavilions, picnic areas, and beaches.

(b) "Local resident" means a resident of New Hampshire who is at least 18 years of age and lives within a town connecting to the park or within a town that falls entirely or partially within a 5-mile radius of the park.

II.(a) The department of natural and cultural resources shall implement and maintain a reservation system that allows local residents to book day-use reservations up to and including the day of park entry.

(b) The reservation system shall reserve a percentage of day-use spaces or a set number of day-use spaces specifically for local residents, similar to the allocation of handicapped parking spaces at commercial establishments.

III. This section applies to state parks that offer walking, hiking, or biking trails, beaches, and picnic areas. It does not apply to parks that primarily provide overnight accommodations or camping facilities.

IV.(a) The department of natural and cultural resources shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, to implement and enforce the provisions of this section.

(b) The department shall conduct periodic reviews to ensure compliance with the requirements under this section and make adjustments as necessary.

4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

LBA

25-0326

1/10/25

HB 657-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT relative to short-notice booking access for New Hampshire residents to state parks.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The Office of Legislative Budget Assistant is unable to complete a fiscal note for this bill as it is awaiting information from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The Department was contacted on 1/2/25 for a fiscal note worksheet. When completed, the fiscal note will be forwarded to the House Clerk's Office.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Natural and Cultural Resources