Georgia CommonsSB 190: Parks, Historic Areas, Memorials, and Recreation; certain fee waivers for active duty members of the military, veterans, and family members; provide
Engrossed version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action March 10, 2026 · Engrossed
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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 Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions of parks, historic areas, memorials, and recreation, so as to provide certain fee waivers for veterans and family members; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions of parks, historic areas, memorials, and recreation, is amended by revising Code Section 12-3-9.1, relating to discount for certain disabled veterans, as follows:
"12-3-9.1.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) 'Disabled veteran' means a veteran discharged under honorable conditions from any branch of the armed forces of the United States who has a physical disability which was incurred during the period of service in the armed forces and who is a resident of the State of Georgia.
(1) 'Armed forces' means the United States army, navy, marine corps, space force, coast guard, air force, Georgia National Guard, or other reserve unit of the United States military.
(2) 'Fee' means the charge or fee established by the Board of Natural Resources for the use or occupancy of any state park, historic site, or recreational area and specifically includes, but is not limited to, entrance or admittance fees, rental fees for cabins or other overnight lodgings, rental fees for campsites, and fees for the use of golf courses or other recreational facilities.
(3) 'Gold Star family member' means an immediate family member of a deceased member of the armed forces who died in the line of duty.
(4) 'Immediate family member' means a parent, child, spouse, brother, or sister.
(5) 'Veteran' means a former member of the armed forces who received an honorable discharge.
(b) Any disabled veteran Gold Star family member may apply to the commissioner of veterans service for certification as a disabled veteran Gold Star family member as defined by paragraph (1) (3) of subsection (a) of this Code section. The commissioner of veterans service is authorized and directed to certify such applicants as disabled veterans applicant as a Gold Star family member and to issue to such applicants applicant such proof of certification as the commissioner finds appropriate. The commissioner of veterans service may shall by rule or regulation require such documentation as may be necessary to certify disabled veterans a Gold Star family member as provided in this subsection.
(c) Any disabled veteran or Gold Star family member who is certified as such by the commissioner of veterans service as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section shall be granted a discount of 25 percent waiver of the fee otherwise applicable at any state park, historic site, or recreational area operated by or pursuant to the authority of the Department of Natural Resources or any division or other agency of said department.
(d) The discount waiver provided for in subsection (c) of this Code section:
(1) Shall apply to rental fees for cabins, campsites, or other overnight accommodations for the disabled veteran and members of the disabled veteran's immediate family who occupy any veteran or Gold Star family member who occupies the overnight accommodations with the disabled veteran; and
(2) Shall not apply to rental or use fees for any group facilities or accommodations.
(e) The Department of Natural Resources shall promulgate rules and regulations for verifying eligibility, issuing passes, and promoting the program described in this Code section."
SECTION 2.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.