HB 1768-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

12Feb2026... 0358h

2026 SESSION

26-2926

06/08

HOUSE BILL 1768-FN

AN ACT exempting honorably 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 without the approval of the governor or the executive council.

SPONSORS: Rep. Bridle, Rock. 29; Rep. Bordes, Belk. 5; Rep. Coker, Belk. 2; Rep. Edgar, Rock. 29; Rep. McGrath, Rock. 40

COMMITTEE: Resources, Recreation and Development

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill exempts honorably discharged New Hampshire veterans from metered parking fees at state parks upon presenting acceptable proof of status and 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.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

12Feb2026... 0358h 26-2926

06/08

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six

AN ACT exempting honorably 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 without the approval of the governor or the executive council.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1  New Paragraphs; Fees for Park System.  Amend RSA 216-A:3-g by inserting after paragraph V the following new paragraphs:  

V-a.  No metered parking fee shall be charged at any state park lot, including but not limited to Hampton Beach South and Wallis Sands, for any vehicle displaying a veteran license plate issued by the New Hampshire division of 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.  

(b)  Donations received under this paragraph may be acknowledged through limited sponsor recognition, including the display of a name, logo, or identifying mark, as determined by the department, provided that such recognition is incidental to the donation, non-promotional in nature, and does not imply endorsement by the state.  

(c)  All monetary donations received under this paragraph shall be deposited in the state parks gifts and donations account established under RSA 216-A:3-o and expended in accordance with that section.  

2  Expansion of State Park System; State Park Gifts and Donations; Account Established.  Amend RSA 216-A:3-o, I to read as follows:  

I.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, individual gifts and donations not exceeding [$2,500] $50,000 in value in a fiscal year may be received by the division of parks and recreation without the approval of the governor or [the governor and] council.  Individual gifts and donations exceeding [$2,500] $50,000 in value in a fiscal year may be received by the division of parks and recreation with the approval of the governor and council.  

3  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.  

LBA

26-2926

Revised 1/5/26

HB 1768-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

AN ACT relative to free day-use admission and metered parking at state parks for all honorably discharged state resident veterans.

FISCAL IMPACT:   

METHODOLOGY:

This bill exempts honorably discharged New Hampshire resident veterans from state park day use admission fees and exempts vehicles displaying a New Hampshire veteran license plate from metered parking fees at state parks.

The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources states this bill would reduce revenues to the State Park Fund beginning in FY 2027.  The Department, during the 2025 operating season, generated $5,178,239 in state park day use fees and $3,083,467 in parking meter fees, for total combined revenues of $8,261,706.  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 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 $190,845 to $433,740.

The Department states this bill would not increase state expenditures and would not require additional staff.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Natural and Cultural Resources