EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

AN ACT relating to recreational areas; revising the age and residency requirements for free use of state parks and other recreational areas by certain elderly persons; requiring the collection of an administrative fee for the issuance of a permit for such use; clarifying the authority for the collection of reasonable fees for entering, camping and boating in state parks and recreational areas; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

1-1 Section 1. NRS 407.065 is hereby amended to read as follows:

1-2 407.065 1. The administrator, subject to the approval of the director

1-12 division to have the general authority of peace officers.

2-1 [3. Allow]

2-2 (c) May allow multiple use of state parks and real property controlled or

2-3 administered by the division for any lawful purpose, including , but not

2-4 limited to, grazing, mining, development of natural resources, hunting and

2-5 fishing, [and subject to] in accordance with such regulations as may be

2-6 adopted in furtherance of the purposes of the division.

2-7 [4. Conduct]

2-8 (d) Shall impose and collect reasonable fees for entering, camping

2-9 and boating in state parks and recreational areas. The division shall

2-10 issue, upon application therefor and proof of residency and age, an

2-11 annual permit for entering, camping and boating in all state parks and

2-12 recreational areas in this state to any person who is 65 years of age or

2-13 older and has resided in this state for at least 5 years immediately

2-14 preceding the date on which the application is submitted. The permit

2-15 must be issued without charge, except that the division shall charge and

2-16 collect an administrative fee for the issuance of the permit in an amount

2-17 sufficient to cover the costs of issuing the permit.

2-18 (e) May conduct and operate such special services as may be necessary

2-19 for the comfort and convenience of the general public, and impose and

2-20 collect reasonable fees for [them. Except as otherwise provided in

2-21 subsection 1 of NRS 407.0762 and subsection 1 of NRS 407.0765, the fees

2-22 collected pursuant to this subsection must be deposited in the state general

2-23 fund. No fees for special services may be collected from bona fide residents

2-24 of this state who are more than 60 years old. Reasonable proof of age and

2-25 residence may be required for free use of special services.

2-26 5. Rent] such special services.

2-27 (f) May rent or lease concessions located within the boundaries of state

2-28 parks or of real property controlled or administered by the division to

2-29 public or private corporations, to groups of natural persons, or to natural

2-30 persons for a valuable consideration upon such terms and conditions as the

2-31 division deems fit and proper, but no concessionaire may dominate any

2-32 state park operation. Rental and lease payments must be deposited in the

2-33 state general fund.

2-34 [6. Establish]

2-35 (g) May establish such capital projects construction funds as are

2-36 necessary to account for the parks improvements program approved by the

2-37 legislature. The money in these funds must be used for the construction and

2-38 improvement of those parks which are under the supervision of the

2-39 administrator.

2-40 2. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 1 of NRS 407.0762 and

2-41 subsection 1 of NRS 407.0765, the fees collected pursuant to paragraphs

2-42 (d) and (e) of subsection 1 must be deposited in the state general fund.

3-1 Sec. 2. NRS 407.0762 is hereby amended to read as follows:

3-2 407.0762 1. The account for maintenance of state parks within the

3-21 approval of the director and of the interim finance committee.

3-22 Sec. 3. NRS 289.260 is hereby amended to read as follows:

3-23 289.260 1. Rangers and employees of the division of state parks of

3-32 peace officer.

3-33 Sec. 4. Notwithstanding the amendatory provisions of section 1 of this

3-34 act to the contrary:

3-35 1. A permit for senior citizens issued by the division of state parks of

3-36 the state department of conservation and natural resources before
3-37 January 1, 2000, to a person who is a resident of this state and is 60 years

3-38 of age or older remains valid until:

3-39 (a) The date of expiration of the permit; or

3-40 (b) The date on which the person to whom it is issued ceases to be a

3-41 resident of this state,

3-42 whichever occurs first.

4-1 2. A person who holds a valid permit for senior citizens issued by the

4-2 division of state parks of the state department of conservation and natural

4-3 resources before January 1, 2000, may apply for the issuance of an annual

4-4 permit described in paragraph (d) of subsection 1 of NRS 407.065 upon:

4-5 (a) Proof only that the person is a current resident of this state; and

4-6 (b) Payment of the administrative fee required by that paragraph.

4-7 3. The division of state parks of the state department of conservation

4-8 and natural resources shall, upon receiving an application that satisfies the

4-9 requirements of subsection 2, issue to the applicant an annual permit

4-10 described in paragraph (d) of subsection 1 of NRS 407.065.

4-11 4. An annual permit issued pursuant to subsection 3 is renewable by

4-12 the person to whom it is issued subject to the same terms and conditions

4-13 applicable to the issuance of the permit.

4-14 Sec. 5. 1. This act becomes effective on January 1, 2000.

4-15 2. Section 4 of this act expires by limitation on January 1, 2005.