Req. No. 2566 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 STATE OF OKLAHOMA 2nd Session of the 59th Legislature (2024) SENATE BILL 1253 By: Burns AS INTRODUCED An Act relating to state parks; prohibiting occupation of a reserved campsite; prohibiting certain entries into a state park without payment of entry fee; setting administrative fine; providing for collection and deposit of certain fines; amending 74 O.S. 2021, Section 2220 , which relates to collection of rates and fees of state parks; authorizing the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission to establish entrance fees, day-use fees, or passes for nonresidents entering state park; establishing maximum daily fee; providing for proof of residen cy; removing provision fo r certain age group rates; providing for codification; an d providing an effective date. BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. NEW LAW A n ew section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 2217.2 of Title 74, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: A. No person shall: 1. Physically occupy a campsi te identified as “Reserved” by Oklahoma Tourism and R ecreation Department staff or by the park reservation system, or fail to vacate a campsite within a reasonable Req. No. 2566 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 time after being notified of the campsite’s reserved status by Department staff; or 2. Enter an area of a state park that requires payment of an entry fee for the person’s recreational vehicle or travel trailer without having first paid the entry fee. B. Any violation of the provisions of t his section may be punishable by an administrative fine not exceeding: 1. Fifty Dollars ($50.00) for a firs t offense; 2. One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for a second offense ; and 3. Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) for any third or subsequent offense. C. All monies collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department Revolving Fund. SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 74 O.S. 2021, Section 2220, is amended to read as follows: Section 2220. A. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission may prescribe and collect reasonable rates and f ees pursuant to the provisions of this sec tion for the services, facilities, and commodities rendered by a ll property of the Commission. 1. The Commission may establish maximum rates for rooms at the state lodges and cabins, for recreational activities, f or recreational vehicles and camping sites, and for community Req. No. 2566 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 facilities under control of the Commission. The method whereby the rates are determined shall be pr omulgated pursuant to Article I of the Administrative Procedures Act. At least twenty (20) da ys prior to the adoption or approval of an y rate changes by the Commission, the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department shall submit a copy of the proposed rates, for informational purposes, to the Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives , and President Pro Tempore of the Senate. Any change in the rates during the year when the Legislature is not in session shall be report ed in writing to the Governor, Speaker of the House of Representa tives, and President Pro Tempore of the Senate within five (5) busi ness days of such Commission action. 2. The Commission may establish maximum charges for all activities at state-owned golf courses. The charges may vary among the different golf courses according to the practices of the golf industry. The method whereb y the maximum charge s are determined shall be in accordance with rules promulgated pursuant to Article I of the Administrative Procedures Act. At least twenty (20) days prior to the adoption or approval of any rate changes by the Commission, the Departmen t shall submit a copy of s uch proposed charges, for informational purposes, to the Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and President Pro Tempore of the Senate. 3. The Commission may establish entrance or day -use charges for the state park system for nonresidents not to exceed Sixteen Dollars Req. No. 2566 Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 ($16.00) per day. All monies collected from entrance or day-use charges shall be used at the state parks where the charges were collected. The Commission may establish an annual pass, or other varied passes as appropriate to that park, for visitors ; provided, the entrance fee, day-use charge, or annual pass or other passes established in this paragraph shall not be charged to visitors of the state park system that are residents of this state. Residency may be established by presentation of a state driver license, a state license for identification only, birth certificate , or any other form of identifica tion authorized by the Commission . The method whereby the maximum charges are determined, sold, and collected shall be in accordance with rules promulgated pursuant to Article I of the Administrati ve Procedures Act. At leas t twenty (20) days prior to the adoption or approval of any rate changes by the Commission, the Department shall submit a copy of suc h proposed charges, for informational purposes, to the Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and President Pro Tempore of the Senate . 4. Fees shall be promulgated pursuant t o Article I of the Administrative Procedures Act. 5. Fees may reflect the seasonal usage of the parks and facilities and for promotional purposes and goals. B. All fees, licenses, and other charges shall be posted in a convenient place in each park. Ever y person using any of the Req. No. 2566 Page 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 facilities in a park shall be charged the same fees, licenses , and every other charge except: 1. Residents of this state six ty-two (62) years of age and over and their spouses shall not be charge d any admission fees for entrance into any state-owned and -operated park. The Commission may promulgate rules establishing different fees for residents and nonresidents sixty-two (62) years of age and over. Identification may be established by presentation of proof of age, residency, a state driver license, a state license for identification only, birth certificate, or any other form of identification author ized by the Commission; 2. Individuals Nonresidents who have been certified as totally disabled under state or federal law and their s pouses shall be entitled to a fifty percent (50%) reduction of fees which apply to recreational-use facilities; 3. Children’s Nonresident children’s groups, volunteer groups as specified by the Commission, or governmental entities that provide beneficial services at the facility for which the fee may be reduced or waived; and 4. Special discount rates as authorized in this section may be waived for individuals nonresidents who are members of a group being provided a special group rate as allowed by law. Req. No. 2566 Page 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 C. The failure to collect such fees, licenses , and other charges shall subject an employee of the Commission to a fine of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) for each and every violation. SECTION 3. This act shall become effective November 1, 202 4. 59-2-2566 MR 12/7/2023 4:13:47 PM