PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS -- GENERAL PROVISIONS -- PREFERENCE FOR RESIDENTS, the official text

H7099 2026 -- H 7099 ======== LC003379 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ A N A C T RELATING TO PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS -- GENERAL PROVISIONS -- PREFERENCE FOR RESIDENTS Introduced By: Representatives Azzinaro, Shallcross Smith, Corvese, McNamara, Fellela, Solomon, and Kennedy Date Introduced: January 14, 2026 Referred To: House Finance It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 1 SECTION 1. Sections 32-1-16 and 32-1-17 of the General Laws in Chapter 32-1 entitled 2 General Provisions are hereby amended to read as follows: 3 32-1-16. Preference for residents with disabilities. Preference for residents, including 4 those with disabilities. 5 Residents of Rhode Island including, but not limited to, those who have a disability shall 6 be given preference in the use of campsites and other recreational facilities over nonresidents who 7 apply for permission to use those facilities. This preference shall be accomplished by providing 8 Rhode Island residents with a two (2) hour window on the online registration system to secure a 9 reservation before any nonresidents are authorized or permitted to make reservations. 10 32-1-17. Persons with disabilities. 11 (a) No fee shall be charged any person with a disability regardless of age, or to automobiles 12 transporting a non-driver with a disability, at any recreational facility owned and operated by the 13 state; provided, however, proper identification is presented as prescribed by the department of 14 environmental management. For the purpose of this section “person with a disability” shall mean 15 an individual who has a physical or mental impairment and is receiving: 16 (a) (1) Social security disability benefits (SSDI); 17 (b) (2) Supplemental security income benefits (SSI); or 18 (c) (3) Veterans benefits and who shall be determined under applicable federal law by the 1 federal department of veterans’ affairs to be one hundred percent (100%) disabled through a 2 service-connected disability. 3 (b) For purpose of this section, “fees” shall include all fees for parking, admittance, or other 4 user fees for playing golf. The term “fees” shall not include licensing fees, camping fees, picnic 5 table fees, or specialized facility use fees, including, but not limited to, fees for the use of equestrian 6 areas, performing arts centers, game fields, and mule shed ; provided however, that one hundred 7 percent (100%) disabled veterans shall be entitled to a fifty percent (50%) reduction for licensing 8 fees, camping fees, picnic table fees, or specialized facility use fees . 9 SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. ======== LC003379 ======== LC003379 - Page 2 of 3 EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF A N A C T RELATING TO PARKS AND RECREATIONAL AREAS -- GENERAL PROVISIONS -- PREFERENCE FOR RESIDENTS *** 1 This act would provide Rhode Island residents with priority when making reservations to 2 secure a campsite and other recreational facilities over nonresidents who apply for permission to 3 use those facilities. The act would also provide that veterans with a one hundred percent (100%) 4 disability rating shall receive a fifty percent (50%) reduction in fees for the use of certain state 5 recreational facilities, including licensing fees, camping fees, picnic table fees, or specialized 6 facility use fees. 7 This act would take effect upon passage. ======== LC003379 ======== LC003379 - Page 3 of 3