SB190: SB190 Parks, Historic Areas, Memorials, and Recreation; certain fee waivers for active duty members of the military, veterans, and family members; provide

26 LC 46 1492S (SCS) Senate Bill 190 By: Senators Wicks of the 34th, Merritt of the 9th, Harbison of the 15th, McLaurin of the 14th, Jones of the 10th and others AS PASSED SENATE A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 12 of the Of ficial Code of Georgia1 Annotated, relating to general provisions of parks, historic areas, memorials, and recreation,2 so as to provide certain fee waivers for veterans and family members; to provide for rules and3 regulations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5 SECTION 1.6 Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 12 of the Official Co de of Georgia Annotated,7 relating to general provisions of parks, historic areas, memorials, and recreation, is amended8 by revising Code Section 12-3-9.1, relating to discount for cer tain disabled veterans, as9 follows:10 "12-3-9.1.11 (a) As used in this Code section, the term:12 (1) 'Disabled veteran' means a veteran discharged under honorable conditions from any13 branch of the armed forces of the United States who has a physical disability which was14 incurred during the period of service in the armed forces and w ho is a resident of the15 State of Georgia.16 S. B. 190 - 1 - 26 LC 46 1492S (SCS) (1) 'Armed forces' means the United States army, navy, marine corps, space force, coast17 guard, air force, Georgia National Guard, or other reserve unit of the United States18 military.19 (2) 'Fee' means the charge or fee established by the Board of Natural Resources for the20 use or occupancy of any state park, historic site, or recreatio nal area and specifically21 includes, but is not limited to, entrance or admittance fees, rental fees for cabins or other22 overnight lodgings, rental fees for campsites, and fees for the use of golf courses or other23 recreational facilities.24 ( 3 ) ' G o l d S t a r f a m i l y m e m b e r ' m e a n s a n i m m e d i a t e f a m i l y m e m b e r of a deceased25 member of the armed forces who died in the line of duty.26 (4) 'Immediate family member' means a parent, child, spouse, brother, or sister.27 (5) 'Veteran' means a former member of the armed forces who re ceived an honorable28 discharge.29 (b) Any disabled veteran Gold Star family member may apply to the commissioner of30 veterans service for certification as a disabled veteran Gold Star family member as defined31 by paragraph (1) (3) of subsection (a) of this Code section. The commissioner of veterans32 service is authorized and directed to certify such applicants as disabled veterans applicant33 as a Gold Star family member and to issue to such applicants applicant such proof of34 certification as the commissioner finds appropriate. The commissioner of veterans service35 may shall by rule or regulation require such documentation as may be necessary to certify36 disabled veterans a Gold Star family member as provided in this subsection.37 (c) Any disabled veteran or Gold Star family member who is certified as such by the38 commissioner of veterans service as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section shall39 be granted a discount of 25 percent waiver of the fee otherwise applicable at any state park,40 historic site, or recreational area operated by or pursuant to the authority of the Department41 of Natural Resources or any division or other agency of said department.42 (d) The discount waiver provided for in subsection (c) of this Code section:43 S. B. 190 - 2 - 26 LC 46 1492S (SCS) (1) Shall apply to rental fees for cabins, campsites, or other overnight accommodations44 for the disabled veteran and members of the disabled veteran's immediate family who45 occupy any veteran or Gold Star family member who occupies the overnight46 accommodations with the disabled veteran; and47 (2) Shall not apply to rental or use fees for any group facilities or accommodations.48 (e) The Department of Natural Resources shall promulgate rules and regulations for49 verifying eligibility, issuing passes, and promoting the progra m described in this Code50 section."51 SECTION 2.52 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.53 S. B. 190 - 3 -