In Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, further providing for fees and charges.
Summary
HB1342 amends Pennsylvania’s Conservation and Natural Resources Act to change how the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources may charge for activities, admissions, uses, privileges, and concessions at State parks. The bill keeps the existing rule that park-related fees and charges must be used only for the acquisition, maintenance, operation, or administration of the State park system, and it preserves the department’s authority over certain preexisting parking and service-specific fees. It also continues the department’s role in setting fees and charges for State parks and State forests.
The main substantive change is a new 15% discount on all State park fees and charges for eligible military-related groups. The discount applies to active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces, retired military members, former service members discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, veterans who are 100% service-connected disabled, and immediate family members of those individuals. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would amend Section 314 of the Conservation and Natural Resources Act and require DCNR to provide a mandatory 15% discount on a broad range of State park fees and charges for specified military personnel, veterans, and their immediate family members. It would not eliminate existing fees generally, but it would limit the department’s discretion by creating a statutory discount entitlement for covered groups. The bill would affect State park admissions, activities, concessions, and other related charges, while leaving the dedicated use of those revenues for park system purposes intact.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests broad bipartisan support and little overt opposition. The bill was advanced unanimously in committee at each recorded step, including referral, amendment adoption, and reporting as amended, with 26 yeas and 0 nays on each vote. That pattern indicates the proposal was generally well received as a veterans’ benefit and a parks-related policy change.
Contention
No committee transcript is available, and the recorded votes show no formal opposition, so there is little evidence of active contention in the available materials. The only likely policy questions are administrative and fiscal: how DCNR will define eligible family members, verify military status and disability status, and absorb the revenue impact of the discount. Any disagreement would likely center on the scope of the discount and whether it should apply to all park-related charges or only certain categories, but those concerns are not reflected in the recorded votes.
Providing for the Same-Day Work and Pay Pilot Program; providing for program and for program operation; imposing duties on the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; and establishing the Same-Day Work and Pay Account.