Mississippi House Bill HB1338

Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/22
• Refer: 1/17/22
• Failed: 2/1/22

Caption

State parks; exempt veterans and active duty from paying fee for entry and use of and provide discount for campsite or cabin rental within.

Impact

The implementation of HB 1338 significantly alters the financial structure of state park operations by removing certain entrance fees for qualifying individuals. As state parks are generally funded through user fees, this could affect revenue collections from these facilities. The state will need to assess the potential fiscal impact of this bill and can implement alternative funding strategies to compensate for the loss of revenue from these fees.

Summary

House Bill 1338 amends Section 55-3-33 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 to grant a permanent exemption to veterans and active duty military personnel from paying fees for entry and use of state parks and recreational facilities. Additionally, it mandates that they receive a discount of 50% on campsite or cabin rentals within these facilities. This measure is aimed at honoring the service of veterans and active military personnel by making state parks more accessible to them and encouraging recreational opportunities for these groups.

Contention

While the bill has been well-received among veteran advocacy groups and supporters who argue that this is a form of recognition for their sacrifices, there may also be concerns from park management regarding the sustainability of funding for maintenance and operations. Critics may question the logistics of verifying military status for fee exemptions, and whether sufficient budgetary provisions have been made to accommodate for potential decreases in income due to these waived fees.