WEST virginia legislature

2020 regular session

Introduced

House Bill 4855

By Delegates Boggs, Hartman, N. Brown, C. Thompson, Sponaugle and Pyles

[Introduced February 11, 2020; Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and Homeland Security then Finance]

A BILL to amend and reenact §20-5-19 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to allowing discounts and free camping at state parks for certain resident veterans.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 5. PARKS AND RECREATION.

§20-5-19. Discounts for West Virginia residents who are totally and permanently disabled and veterans, and seasonal free camping for disabled veterans.

(a) The director shall issue a discount card to West Virginia residents who are totally and permanently disabled which would provide a 50 percent reduction in campground rental fees for each campsite to be used exclusively by the eligible camper: Provided, That in order to be eligible for the reduction, the person shall document that he or she is a resident of this state and that he or she has a total and permanent disability. The director shall promulgate rules in accordance with §29A-3-1 et seq. of this code setting forth the documentation which is necessary to prove residency and total and permanent disability: Provided, however, That the 50 percent reduction in campground rental fees applies only to those rentals occurring during the period of time beginning on the day after Labor Day and ending four days prior to Memorial Day.

(b) The director shall issue a card to West Virginia residents who are totally and permanently disabled honorably discharged veterans allowing the waiver of all campground rental fees for those rentals occurring during the period beginning on the day after Labor Day and ending four days prior to Memorial Day that are used exclusively by the eligible camper. The director shall promulgate rules in accordance with §29A-3-1 et seq. of this code setting forth the documentation, which is necessary to prove residency, veteran status, and that the applicant suffers from a total and permanent disability.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to allow disabled veterans to camp free at state parks from Labor Day to Memorial Day each year.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.