HB 1768 — relative to gifts and donations received by the division of parks and recreation.

HB 1768-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATEHOUSE 12Feb2026...

0358h 05/07/2026 1745s SESSION 26-2926 06/08 HOUSE BILL 1768-FN AN ACT relativeexempting tohonorably discharged New Hampshire veterans from metered parking fees at state parks upon presenting acceptable proof of status and raising the value of individual gifts and donations that may be received by the division of parks and recreation.recreation without the approval of the governor or the executive council.

Resources, Recreation and Development ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── AMENDED ANALYSIS This bill allowsexempts thehonorably divisiondischarged ofNew Hampshire veterans from metered parking fees at state parks andupon recreationpresenting toacceptable solicitproof of status and receiveraises monetarythe andvalue in-kindof individual gifts and donations that may be received by the division of parks and torecreation acknowledgewithout suchthe donationsapproval throughof limitedthe sponsorgovernor recognition.or the executive council.

The bill also raises the value of individual gifts and donations that may be received by the division of parks and recreation without the approval of the governor or the executive council.

HB 1768-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATEHOUSE 12Feb2026...

0358h 05/07/2026 1745s 26-2926 06/08 STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six AN ACT relativeexempting tohonorably discharged New Hampshire veterans from metered parking fees at state parks upon presenting acceptable proof of status and raising the value of individual gifts and donations that may be received by the division of parks and recreation.recreation without the approval of the governor or the executive council.

1 New Paragraph;Paragraphs;

Fees for Park System;System.

AcceptanceAmend ofRSA Donations216-A:3-g by Divisioninserting ofafter Parksparagraph andV Recreation.the following new paragraphs:

AmendV-a. RSA 216-A:3-g by inserting after paragraph V the following new paragraph:

V-a.(a)No Notwithstandingmetered parking fee shall be charged at any otherstate provisionpark oflot, lawincluding tobut thenot contrary,limited theto departmentHampton ofBeach naturalSouth and culturalWallis resources,Sands, throughfor theany divisionvehicle ofdisplaying parksa andveteran recreation,license mayplate solicit,issued receive,by andthe procureNew monetaryHampshire ordivision in-kindof donations.motor vehicles.

V-b.(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the department of natural and cultural resources, through the division of parks and recreation, may solicit, receive, and procure monetary or in-kind donations for the purpose of offsetting revenue losses resulting from statutory exemptions from day-use admission or parking fees, including, but not limited to, exemptions for persons with disabilities and honorably discharged veterans.

LBA 26-2926 05/11/202603/02/2026 HB 1768-FN- FISCAL NOTE AS AMENDED BY THE SENATEHOUSE (AMENDMENT # 2026-1745s)2026-0358h) AN ACT relativeexempting tohonorably discharged New Hampshire veterans from metered parking fees at state parks upon presenting acceptable proof of status and raising the value of individual gifts and donations that may be received by the division of parks and recreation.recreation without the approval of the governor or the executive council.

Estimated State Impact FY 2026 FY 2027 FY 2028 FY 2029 $0Indeterminable $0Indeterminable Indeterminable Decrease Decrease Decrease ($70,000 to ($70,000 to ($70,000 to $165,000) (State $165,000) (State $165,000) (State Park Fund) Park Fund) Park Fund) Revenue $0 Indeterminable Indeterminable Indeterminable Increase Increase Increase Revenue $0 (State Parks (State Parks (State Parks Gifts and Gifts and Gifts and Donations Fund) Donations Fund) Donations Fund) Revenue Fund(s) State Park Fund and State Parks Gifts and Donations Fund Revenue Fund(s) Expenditures* $0 $0 $0 $0 Funding Source(s) None Appropriations* $0 $0 $0 $0 Funding Source(s) None *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill METHODOLOGY:

This bill increasesexempts thevehicles thresholddisplaying fora individualNew giftsHampshire andveteran donationslicense thatplate mayfrom bemetered acceptedparking byfees at state parks and authorizes the Division of Parks and Recreation to solicit and receive individual gifts and donations not exceeding $50,000 in value in a fiscal year without approval of the Governor and Executive CouncilCouncil. from $2,500 to $50,000.

The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources states this bill would reduce revenues to the State Park Fund beginning in FY 2027.

During the 2025 operating season, the Department generated $3,083,467 in parking meter fees.

Based on data published by New Hampshire Employment Security, approximately 7% of New Hampshire residents are veterans.

Because the Department does not track either the residency or veteran plate status of park visitors, it assumed that between 33% and 75% of park visitors are New Hampshire residents, and that 7% of those residents would qualify for the exemption.

Using those assumptions, the Department estimates the annual revenue loss for a full operating season would range from approximately $71,228 to $161,882, as shown below:

Assumed Share of NH Resident Visitors Estimated Annual Revenue Loss 33% of visitors $71,228 50% of visitors $107,921 66% of visitors $142,456 75% of visitors $161,882 The bill also increases the threshold for individual gifts and donations that may be accepted by the Division of Parks and Recreation without approval of the Governor and Executive Council from $2,500 to $50,000.

The Department did not estimate the amount of potential additional donations.

NoneDepartment of Natural and Cultural Resources