HB 5216 — AN ACT CONCERNING THE SAFETY CAPACITY AT GARDNER LAKE STATE PARK.

House of Representatives General Assembly RaisedFile Bill No.

521682 February Session, 2024 LCOHouse Bill No.

11025216 ReferredHouse toof Representatives, March 21, 2024 The Committee on ENVIRONMENTEnvironment Introducedreported by:through REP.

(ENV)GRESKO ANof ACTthe CONCERNING121st THEDist., SAFETYChairperson CAPACITYof ATthe GARDNERCommittee LAKEon STATEthe PARK.part of the House, that the bill ought to pass.

AN ACT CONCERNING THE SAFETY CAPACITY AT GARDNER LAKE STATE PARK.

(5) the pedestrian and vehicular traffic on any state highway without a sidewalk that leads to said state park that threatens, or is reasonably likely to threaten,publicsafetythreaten,public safety by pedestrians walking onthesideofthe highway or by impeding the travel of emergency vehicles because of the high volume of vehicles parked or moving on the highway;

and (6) the authorityHB5216 of/ theFile commissioner to utilize the number of vehicles entering LCO 1102 \\PRDFS1\HCOUSERS\BARRYJN\WS\2024HB-05216-R011 of 2 HB.docx Bill No.

521682 said1 stateHB5216 parkFile asNo. a proxy for the number of visitors at said state park.

82 authority of the commissioner to utilize the number of vehicles entering said state park as a proxy for the number of visitors at said state park.

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82 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.

In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.

Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.

OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:

Agency Affected Fund-Effect FY 25 $ FY 26 $ Department of Energy and GF - Potential 356,000 13,000 Environmental Protection Cost State Comptroller - Fringe GF - Potential 5,000 5,000 Benefits Cost Note:

GF=General Fund Municipal Impact:

None Explanation The bill results in a potential cost to the state of approximately $361,000 in FY 25 and $18,000 annually thereafter associated with managing pedestrian entry to Gardner State Park.

The bill allows the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to close the park to all new entrants once capacity is reached.

Currently, when the park is at capacity, DEEP prevents additionalvehiclesfromenteringbutlackssufficientresourcesandtools to prevent further pedestrian entries.

If DEEP chooses to manage pedestrian entries to the park, the department will incur a one-time cost of approximately $320,000 in FY to install fencing that allows limited pedestrian access.

To monitor and enforce a capacity limit, the department may hire a seasonal Environmental Conservation patrol officer at a total cost of $41,000 in The fringe benefit costs for most state employees are budgeted centrally in accounts administered by the Comptroller.

The estimated active employee fringe benefit cost associated with most personnel changes is 41.25% of payroll in FY 25.

HB5216 / File No.

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82 FY 25, consisting of approximately $12,000 for wages, $5,000 for fringe benefits within the Office of the State Comptroller, and $24,000 in other expenses including a vehicle.

The personnel-related expenses would total approximately $18,000 in FY 26 and annually thereafter.

The bill additionally requires DEEP to develop and post a capacity limit and to coordinate traffic control efforts.

These aspects of the bill have no fiscal impact as:

(1) they largely codify current practices;

and (2) the department has sufficient resources to post a capacity limit sign.

The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to inflation.

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82 OLR Bill Analysis HB 5216 AN ACT CONCERNING THE SAFETY CAPACITY AT GARDNER LAKE STATE PARK.

SUMMARY This bill requires the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) commissioner to develop and publicly post the capacity limit of Gardner Lake State Park (inSalem) by January 31, 2025.

Under the bill, she must use the following factors when determining the capacity limit:

1.

the number of visitors and swimmers that can be supervised safely given the park and lifeguard staffing levels;

2.