First Regular Session

Sixty-first General Assembly

LLS NO. 97­0726.01D PLC HOUSE BILL 97­1333

STATE OF COLORADO

BY REPRESENTATIVE Pankey;

also SENATOR Blickensderfer.

AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK

& NATURAL RESOURCES

A BILL FOR AN ACT

CONCERNING THE REDUCTION OF APPROPRIATIONS FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE DIVISION OF PARKS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOR ADMINISTERING, MANAGING, OR SUPERVISING THE STATE PARKS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION SYSTEM.

Bill Summary

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not necessarily reflect any amendments which may be subsequently adopted.)

Establishes that the fees set by the board of parks and outdoor recreation shall be enough to eliminate the need for general fund support for the operation of the parks and outdoor recreation system.

Prohibits the use of appropriations from the general fund to the division of parks and outdoor recreation in the department of natural resources for administering, managing, or supervising the state parks and outdoor recreation system.

Declares that the state parks and outdoor recreation system should be supported by revenues generated by the users of the state parks and outdoor recreation system and that no moneys from the general fund shall be appropriated to the division for use in administering, managing, or supervising the system.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

SECTION 1.  33­10­107 (1) (h), Colorado Revised Statutes, 1995 Repl. Vol., as amended, is amended to read:

33­10­107.  Powers of board. (1)  The board has power to:

(h)  Establish by rules pursuant to section 33­10­111 (5) the amounts of fees for certificates, permits, licenses, and passes and any other special charges in order to provide for cash revenues necessary for the continuous operation of the state park and recreation system AND TO ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR APPROPRIATIONS FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO SUPPORT THE OPERATION OF SUCH SYSTEM; except that no such fees shall be used for capital construction other than controlled maintenance activities. Except as provided in section 33­10­111 (1), such fees and charges shall be credited to the division of parks and outdoor recreation cash fund.

SECTION 2.  33­10­111, Colorado Revised Statutes, 1995 Repl. Vol., as amended, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SUBSECTION to read:

33­10­111.  Parks and outdoor recreation cash fund created ­ accounting expenditures for roads and highways ­ no use of general fund moneys. (6)  THERE SHALL BE NO GENERAL FUND MONEYS APPROPRIATED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOR ALLOCATION TO THE DIVISION OF PARKS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADMINISTERING, MANAGING, OR SUPERVISING THE STATE PARKS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION SYSTEM.

SECTION 3.  33­12­100.2, Colorado Revised Statutes, 1995 Repl. Vol., is amended to read:

33­12­100.2.  Legislative declaration. The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that the system of state parks and state recreation areas is vital to the economic health and well­being of the entire state of Colorado and that such system of parks and recreation areas provides an important benefit to the citizens of this state and to the tourists from outside the state who visit and make use of such state parks and recreation areas. Because of the nature and operation of such state parks and recreation areas, the system can be largely self­supporting, and the users of such resources can help to fund the system's operation and maintenance. The general assembly declares and intends that as a matter of state policy the system of state parks and state recreation areas should be financed as much as reasonably possible through revenues derived from the users of such system. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DECLARES FURTHER THAT THERE SHALL BE NO GENERAL FUND MONEYS APPROPRIATED FOR USE BY THE DIVISION IN ADMINISTERING, MANAGING, OR SUPERVISING THE STATE PARKS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION SYSTEM.

SECTION 4.  Appropriations ­ adjustments in 1997 long bill. (1)  In addition to any other appropriation, there is hereby appropriated, out of any moneys in the parks and outdoor recreation cash fund not otherwise appropriated, to the department of natural resources for allocation to the division of parks and outdoor recreation, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1997, the sum of _______________ dollars ($    ) and ____ FTE, or so much thereof as may be necessary, for the implementation of this act.

(2)  For the implementation of this act, appropriations made in the annual general appropriation act to the department of natural resources, division of parks and outdoor recreation for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1997, shall be adjusted as follows: The general fund appropriation for the department of natural resources, division of parks and outdoor recreation is decreased by ___ dollars ($ ) and _____ FTE.

SECTION 5.  Effective date. This act shall take effect July 1, 1997.

SECTION 6.  Safety clause. The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.