Eliminating certain camp site and cabin fees for senior citizens at Kansas state parks.
Impact
By repealing these fees, HB 2524 is expected to make state parks more accessible to senior citizens, thereby supporting their active participation in recreational activities. This removal of fees may lead to an increase in park visitation among older populations, which could have positive implications for their health and social engagement. Additionally, this change might encourage families to spend more time with their elderly relatives in natural settings, fostering community engagement.
Summary
House Bill 2524 aims to eliminate certain campsite and cabin fees specifically for senior citizens utilizing Kansas state parks. This initiative is intended to encourage greater access and use of outdoor recreational facilities by older residents, promoting physical activity and involvement in nature. The bill reflects a commitment to enhancing the welfare of senior citizens by directly reducing the financial barriers to enjoying state parks.
Contention
Discussions around the bill may include debates on the potential financial impacts on state park budgets. Opponents may argue that eliminating fees could reduce necessary funds for park maintenance and operations, which could affect the overall quality of facilities offered. Supporters, on the other hand, might contend that the social benefits of increased access for senior citizens outweigh the financial concerns and that finding alternative funding sources for state parks can mitigate the loss of revenue.
Notable points
The bill aligns with broader initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for senior citizens while promoting the natural resources of the state. Its success in implementation will likely depend on assessing how the removal of fees influences both park administration and senior participation in state park activities.
Establishing the state conservation fund, the working lands conservation fund, the wildlife conservation fund and the Kansas outdoors fund, providing for the use of moneys from such funds, requiring certain reports to the governor and the legislature and authorizing certain transfers to and from such funds.
Making and concerning supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2025 and appropriations for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 for various state agencies, authorizing certain capital improvement projects and fees, authorizing certain transfers authorizing the payment of certain claims against the state.
Establishing various conservation funds, allocating state moneys for conservation, requiring reports to the governor and legislature, and authorizing fund transfers and providing for the use of such funds by the Kansas department of agriculture and the Kansas department of wildlife and parks.
Making and concerning certain supplemental appropriations for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 and appropriations for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 for various state agencies.
Creating the Kansas office of natural resources within the executive branch and transferring certain duties of the Kansas water office, and the department of agriculture, division of conservation and division of water resources to such office.
Renaming the Kansas governmental ethics commission to the Kansas public disclosure commission, defining terms in the campaign finance act, requiring the filing of statements of independent expenditures, prohibiting agreements requiring contributions in the name of another and requiring the termination of unused campaign finance accounts.
Substitute for HB 2273 by Committee on Appropriations - Making and concerning certain supplemental appropriations for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 and appropriations for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 for various state agencies.
Making and concerning certain supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2025 and appropriations for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 for various state agencies.
Making and concerning certain supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2025 and appropriations for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 for various state agencies.