By: Leach, Pacheco H.B. No. 1341
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to waivers for entrance fees to state parks for resident
first responders, military service members, and veterans.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 13.015, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
amended by amending Subsection (a-2) and adding Subsections (a-3)
and (a-4) to read as follows:
(a-2) The department shall waive the park entrance fee for a
resident of this state who is a first responder. In this
subsection, "first responder" means a person who is:
(1) a firefighter certified by the Texas Commission on
Fire Protection or by the State Firefighters' and Fire Marshals'
Association of Texas;
(2) an individual certified as emergency medical
services personnel by the Department of State Health Services;
(3) a municipal police officer;
(4) a sheriff, deputy sheriff, or reserve deputy
sheriff; or
(5) a constable, deputy constable, or reserve deputy
constable.
(a-3) The department shall waive the park entrance fee for
an active duty member or veteran of the armed services of the United
States, the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air National
Guard, or the Texas State Guard.
(a-4) The department may promote visits and enhance revenue
at parks, including amounts necessary for salaries, advertising,
consumable supplies and materials, promotional products, fees, and
related expenses.
SECTION 2. Section 13.018(a), Parks and Wildlife Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) The following people may apply to the department for a
state parklands passport:
(1) a resident of this state who is 65 years old or
over who has resided in the state for six consecutive months
preceding the date of application for a parklands passport[, a
member of the United States armed forces on active duty who is 65
years old or over,] or any other individual in a category that the
commission by rule designates as a resident of this state who is 65
years old or over; and
(2) [a veteran of the armed services of the United
States who, as a result of military service, has a
service-connected disability, as defined by the Veterans'
Administration, consisting of the loss of the use of a lower
extremity or of a 60 percent disability rating and who is receiving
compensation from the United States because of the disability; and
[(3)] an individual who has a physical or mental
impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life
activities of the individual.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.