Florida Senate - 2016                              CS for SB 570
       
       
        
       By the Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation;
       and Senator Dean
       
       
       
       
       592-01419-16                                           2016570c1
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to a state park entrance fee holiday;
    3         prohibiting the Division of Recreation and Parks from
    4         charging day use entrance fees at state parks for a
    5         specified period; requiring the division to ensure
    6         that each state park closes once its carrying capacity
    7         is reached; clarifying that the holiday does not apply
    8         to other fees; providing exceptions; providing an
    9         effective date.
   10          
   11  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   12  
   13         Section 1. In order to encourage the use and enjoyment of
   14  Florida’s state parks, a state park entrance fee holiday is
   15  created.
   16         (1) Notwithstanding s. 258.014, Florida Statutes, the
   17  Division of Recreation and Parks of the Department of
   18  Environmental Protection may not charge day use entrance fees at
   19  any state park operated by the division for a 12-month period
   20  beginning July 1, 2016. The division shall ensure that each
   21  state park closes once its carrying capacity, as set forth in
   22  its unit management plan, is reached.
   23         (2) This act does not apply to fees for the use of
   24  facilities, campgrounds, or equipment; or fees for concessions,
   25  entertainment, or guided tours, at any state park.
   26         (3) This act does not apply to Skyway Fishing Pier State
   27  Park, Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, or
   28  Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.
   29         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2016.