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LRB-1216/2

MGG:eev:ph

2013 - 2014 LEGISLATURE

DOA:......Lawrence, BB0393 - Admission to state parks and state trails for persons serving in the armed forces

For 2013-2015 Budget -- Not Ready For Introduction

An Act ...; relating to: the budget.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

veterans

Current law requires that vehicles entering state parks or other recreational sites managed by DNR display an annual or daily vehicle admission receipt (admission sticker). The fees for these stickers are lower for vehicles that have Wisconsin registration plates. Under current law, DNR may waive these fees depending on certain circumstances, such as admission to special events or programs or admission for certain groups.

This bill requires DNR to waive the fee for an annual admission sticker for a vehicle with Wisconsin plates if the owner of the vehicle is both a Wisconsin resident and a person serving on active duty in the U.S. armed forces (resident service member).

Currently, fees are charged for admissions to state trails on an annual or daily basis. This bill requires DNR to waive the annual fee for a person who is a resident service member. Each resident service member qualifies for the fee waiver for state parks and state trails only once.

Under current law, vehicles are exempt from the admission sticker requirement from November 1st to March 31st, and trail users are exempt from the admission fee requirement for state trails from October 27th to March 31st. DNR may by rule change these dates. This bill exempts a vehicle with a resident service member as an occupant from the admission sticker requirement on Veterans Day and during the three-day Memorial Day weekend. Similarly, the bill exempts a resident service member from a trail admission fee on these days.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

Section 1. 20.370 (1) (es) of the statutes is amended to read:

20.370 (1) (es) Parks — interpretive programs. All moneys received from fees authorized under s. 27.01 (9) (d) (a) 4. for educational and interpretive programs in state parks to be used for costs associated with those programs.

Section 2. 27.01 (7) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is created to read:

27.01 (7) (a) (intro.) In this subsection:

Section 3. 27.01 (7) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

27.01 (7) (a) 1. In this subsection "motor "Motor bus" has the meaning specified under s. 340.01 (31).

Section 4. 27.01 (7) (a) 1m. of the statutes is created to read:

27.01 (7) (a) 1m. "Service member" means a person who is serving on active duty in the U.S. armed forces.

Section 5. 27.01 (7) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

27.01 (7) (a) 2. In this subsection "vehicle" "Vehicle" means an automobile, motor truck, motor delivery wagon, motor bus, motorcycle or other similar motor vehicle.

Section 6. 27.01 (7) (a) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

27.01 (7) (a) 3. In this subsection "vehicle "Vehicle admission area" means the Bong area lands acquired under s. 23.09 (13), the Wisconsin Dells natural area, the Point Beach state forest, recreational areas in other state forests designated as such by the department, designated use zones within recreation areas established under s. 23.091 (3), and any state park or roadside park except those specified in par. (c) 5.

Section 7. 27.01 (7) (c) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

27.01 (7) (c) 1. Any vehicle in an a vehicle admission area between November 1 and March 31, except as the department provides by rule.

Section 8. 27.01 (7) (c) 1m. of the statutes is created to read:

27.01 (7) (c) 1m. Any vehicle, except a motor bus, that is in a vehicle admission area on Veterans Day or during the 3-day weekend that includes Memorial Day and that is occupied by a person who produces evidence that shows that he or she is a state resident and a service member.

Section 9. 27.01 (8) (bn) 3. of the statutes is created to read:

27.01 (8) (bn) 3. Any person who on Veterans Day or during the 3-day weekend that includes Memorial Day produces evidence that shows that he or she is a state resident and a service member, as defined in sub. (7) (a) 1m.

Section 10. 27.01 (9) of the statutes is renumbered 27.01 (9) (a).

Section 11. 27.01 (9) (a) (title) of the statutes is created to read:

27.01 (9) (a) (title) Generally.

Section 12. 27.01 (9) (bn) of the statutes is created to read:

27.01 (9) (bn) Annual vehicle admission receipt fee waiver. The department shall waive the fee, including the issuing fee, imposed under sub. (7) for an annual vehicle admission receipt for any vehicle, except a motor bus, that has Wisconsin registration plates and that is owned by a person who produces evidence that he or she is the owner, is a state resident, and is a service member, as defined in sub. (7) (a) 1m. Each person who qualifies for this waiver may receive the waiver only once. For purposes of administering this paragraph, the department shall establish and maintain a list of service members, as defined in sub. (7) (a) 1m., who have received the onetime exemption.

Section 13. 27.01 (9) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

27.01 (9) (c) Annual trail fee waiver. The department shall waive any annual fee for admission to state trails that is established under sub. (8) (c) for any person who produces evidence that he or she is a state resident and a service member, as defined in sub. (7) (a) 1m. Each person who qualifies for this waiver may receive the waiver only once. For purposes of administering this paragraph, the department shall establish and maintain a list of service members, as defined in sub. (7) (a) 1m., who have received the onetime exemption.

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