Provide free state park and recreation area admission to current and former members of the South Dakota National Guard and their spouses and dependents.
Summary
HB1084 would expand South Dakota’s existing free state park and recreation area admission program to include current and former members of the South Dakota National Guard, as well as their spouses and dependents. The bill also preserves free admission for several existing categories of eligible residents, including certain disabled veterans, former prisoners of war, and other qualifying service-connected disability recipients.
Under the bill, individuals in the newly added National Guard categories would receive free admission to state parks and recreation areas and a 50% discount on camping fees and associated electrical service fees. The Department of Game, Fish and Parks would issue lifetime park entrance licenses to qualifying veterans and other existing categories under subdivisions (1) through (5), while current or former National Guard members and their spouses or dependents would receive annual park entrance licenses. The Game, Fish and Parks Commission would be required to adopt rules governing eligibility, procedures, reduced fees, and license issuance.
Impact
The bill amends South Dakota Codified Law § 41-17-13.4, broadening the class of people entitled to free admission to state parks and recreation areas and discounted camping-related fees. It adds current and retired South Dakota National Guard members, plus their spouses and dependents, to the list of eligible individuals and creates a corresponding annual license process for those new categories. The measure would affect the Department of Game, Fish and Parks and the administration of park entrance licensing and fee discounts.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests the bill was not controversial at the committee level, as it was tabled on a 13-0 vote. No committee transcript is available, so there is no recorded debate to indicate opposition or support beyond the unanimous procedural action. Overall, the bill appears to have been framed as a benefit for military service members and their families, which typically draws favorable sentiment.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential issues that could arise from the bill’s language include the fiscal impact of expanding free admission and discounted camping to additional users, the administrative burden of issuing annual licenses to National Guard members and their families, and whether the benefit should extend to spouses and dependents rather than only service members. However, no recorded objections or competing viewpoints are included in the available transcript or vote history.