HB 436 amends Kentucky law governing the Department of Parks and the operation of state parks. The bill preserves the department’s authority over state parks, shrines, monuments, and museums, and continues its ability to acquire land, improve park facilities, operate parks, set and collect user fees, accept grants and contributions, and establish cash funds for refunds and gratuities. It also authorizes the department to enter into agreements with the Breaks Interstate Park Commission for operation of facilities at Breaks Interstate Park.
The bill adds two notable fee-related restrictions. First, it reinforces that the Department of Parks may not impose boat launching fees at ramps under its control, and it bars private operators or lessees of facilities with public boat ramps from charging boat launching fees. Second, it creates a new exemption for graduates of the PGA HOPE program, prohibiting the department from charging those veterans and active-duty military participants green fees or associated golf rates, except for golf cart rental, when they present a valid PGA HOPE graduate card; the exemption extends to one guest.
Impact
HB 436 directly amends KRS 148.021, affecting the statutory powers and duties of the Department of Parks. It limits revenue collection at state park boat ramps and expands a fee exemption for a specific veteran/military golf program, while leaving the department’s broader authority to manage parks, accept funds, and promulgate regulations intact. The bill also clarifies operational authority involving Breaks Interstate Park and state park cash handling procedures.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly supported and noncontroversial in the legislature. It passed the House 94-0 on veto override and the Senate 37-0 on third reading, and the available record shows no committee transcript opposition. The unanimous votes suggest general agreement with the park-related policy changes, especially the fee restrictions and the PGA HOPE exemption.
Contention
The main policy issues in the bill are fee policy and who should bear costs at public recreation facilities. The boat-launching fee prohibition limits both the Department of Parks and private operators of leased or managed facilities with public ramps, which may be significant to park revenue and concession arrangements. The PGA HOPE exemption could also be seen as a targeted benefit for veterans and active-duty military participants, though the unanimous votes indicate little recorded opposition to that preference.