06 LC
25 4149
House
Bill 971
By:
Representatives Amerson of the
9th,
Walker of the
107th,
Bridges of the
10th,
Dickson of the
6th,
Coleman of the
97th,
and others
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 12 of the Official Code of
Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to parks, historic
areas, memorials, and recreation, so as to change certain provisions relating to
discounts for certified disabled veterans; to provide for discounts for senior
citizens; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Part
1 of Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to parks, historic areas,
memorials, and recreation, is amended by striking Code Section 12-3-9.1,
relating to discounts for certified disabled veterans, and inserting in lieu
thereof the following:
"12-3-9.1.
(a)
As used in this Code section, the term:
(1)
'Disabled veteran' means a veteran discharged under honorable conditions from
any branch of the armed forces of the United States who has a physical
disability which was incurred during the period of service in the armed forces
and who is a resident of the State of Georgia.
(2)
'Fee' means the charge or fee established by the Board of Natural Resources for
the use or occupancy of any state park, historic site, or recreational area and
specifically includes, but is not limited to, entrance or admittance fees,
rental fees for cabins or other overnight lodgings, rental fees for campsites,
and fees for the use of golf courses or other recreational facilities.
(3)
'Senior citizen' means any resident of this state who is 62 years of age or
older.
(b)(1)
Any disabled veteran may apply to the commissioner of veterans service for
certification as a disabled veteran as defined by paragraph (1) of subsection
(a) of this Code section. The commissioner of veterans service is authorized
and directed to certify such applicants as disabled veterans and to issue to
such applicants such proof of certification as the commissioner finds
appropriate. The commissioner of veterans service may by rule or regulation
require such documentation as may be necessary to certify disabled veterans as
provided in this subsection.
(2)
The Board of Natural Resources shall by rule or regulation require such
documentation as may be reasonable and necessary to constitute satisfactory
proof of residency and age for qualification as a senior citizen for purposes of
this Code section.
(c)(1)
Any disabled veteran who is certified as such by the commissioner of veterans
service as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section shall be granted a
discount of 25 percent of the fee otherwise applicable at any state park,
historic site, or recreational area operated by or pursuant to the authority of
the Department of Natural Resources or any division or other agency of said
department.
(2)
Any senior citizen, upon showing satisfactory proof of residency and age and
payment of a fee of $50.00 to the Department of Natural Resources, shall be
granted a lifetime pass which shall entitle him or her to free admission and a
discount of 50 percent of any fee otherwise applicable at any state park,
historic site, or recreational area operated by or pursuant to the authority of
the Department of Natural Resources or any division or other agency of said
department.
(d)
The
discount
discounts
provided for in subsection (c) of this Code section:
(1)
Shall apply to rental fees for cabins, campsites, or other overnight
accommodations for the disabled veteran
or senior
citizen and members of the disabled
veterańs
or senior
citizeńs
immediate family who occupy the overnight accommodations with the disabled
veteran or
senior citizen;
and
(2)
Shall not apply to rental or use fees for any group facilities or
accommodations;
and
(3)
Shall not be cumulative, but instead the senior citizen discount shall be in
lieu of the disabled veteran discount in any case where a person qualifies as
both a certified disabled veteran and senior citizen holding a lifetime
pass."
SECTION
2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.