LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 7619 NOTE PREPARED: Jan 10, 2025
BILL NUMBER: HB 1506 BILL AMENDED:
SUBJECT: Natural Resource Entrance Fees.
FIRST AUTHOR: Rep. Patterson BILL STATUS: As Introduced
FIRST SPONSOR:
FUNDS AFFECTED:XGENERAL IMPACT: State & Local
XDEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: The bill allows counties to adopt an ordinance to impose a surcharge of not more
than $2 in addition to the fees charged by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for entry into state
parks and recreation areas. It requires the DNR to collect the surcharge and to report and pay the surcharge
to each county treasurer. It provides that the revenue collected is to be used for purposes related to first
responders.
Effective Date: July 1, 2025.
Explanation of State Expenditures: The bill could minimally increase workload for the DNR if they
receive notice from a county fiscal body that an ordinance has been adopted to impose a surcharge on entry
fees at the specified DNR properties. The DNR has 60 days after receiving the notice to begin collecting the
fee, and must remit the surcharge collected to the county treasurer on a monthly basis. Any workload impact
will depend upon local decisions.
Explanation of State Revenues: If a surcharge causes reduced visits to the DNR properties where a
surcharge is collected, entrance revenue to the DNR’s Division of State Parks and Recreation may decrease.
Explanation of Local Expenditures: The bill could minimally increase workload for a county fiscal body
that adopts an ordinance to impose the surcharge. County fiscal bodies would need to notify the DNR if an
ordinance is adopted. County treasurers would need to approve forms to be used by the DNR for reporting
the surcharge collected, and would be required to use the surcharge revenue only for purposes related to first
responders.
Explanation of Local Revenues: Revenue increases will depend on whether a county fiscal body adopts
an ordinance to impose a surcharge for entry into a state park or state recreation area (SRA). The amount of
revenue would depend on the number of visitors to a state park or SRA in that county and how many are
veterans (resident), active military, or age 65 and older (the bill provides that the surcharge does not apply
to these individuals). Only the county in which the fee is collected may adopt an ordinance for the surcharge.
HB 1506 1 Additional Information: Most entry fees are paid per vehicle (not per person). The DNR tracks admission
revenue at each DNR property (which does not include passes/permits purchased online). Based on this data,
there are an average of about 31,000 paying vehicles at individual DNR properties (vehicle counts per
property range from 7,690 to 142,059) and an average of about 1,900 annual passes sold (resident and
nonresident). An individual who is a veteran (resident), active-duty military, or age 65 or older would be
exempt from the surcharge.
There were also an average of about 1,200 Golden Hoosier Passports sold at these properties. The majority
of Golden Hoosier Passport holders would be exempt from the surcharge (Disabled Hoosier Veterans or
those age 65 and older).
State Agencies Affected: Department of Natural Resources.
Local Agencies Affected: County fiscal bodies; public safety systems; water authorities.
Information Sources: Department of Natural Resources.
Fiscal Analyst: Heather Puletz, 317-234-9484.
HB 1506 2