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H 7099Tourism & Recreation

Parks and Recreational Areas - General Provisions - Preference for Residents

Rhode Island residents get priority booking for state parks, and fully disabled veterans receive half-price camping and facility fees.

Held for study
Population
Affected
32
Email Legislator
Introduced Jan 14, 2026Committee House Finance

Plain-English Summary

This legislation prioritizes Rhode Island residents for the use of state-owned campsites and recreational facilities. It mandates that the online reservation system provide a two-hour exclusive window for residents to book spots before non-residents can access them. Additionally, the bill expands financial benefits for veterans who are one hundred percent disabled. While these veterans currently receive free admission and parking, this bill grants them a fifty percent discount on other fees, including camping, picnic table rentals, and other specialized facility use fees.

For younger readers

This new rule helps people who live in Rhode Island get the first chance to pick camping spots at state parks. Before people from other states can sign up, Rhode Island families get a special two-hour head start on the computer system. Also, the bill helps soldiers who were badly hurt while serving our country. These veterans will only have to pay half the regular price when they want to go camping or rent a picnic table at the park.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
Rhode Island ResidentsNon-Residents/Tourists100% Disabled VeteransCampersDepartment of Environmental Management
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

Low risk

Low Risk. While the Privileges and Immunities Clause generally prevents states from discriminating against non-residents regarding fundamental rights, recreational camping is usually not considered a fundamental right. Courts typically uphold resident preferences for state-subsidized resources (like university tuition or hunting licenses) provided non-residents are not completely banned. The two-hour window is a reasonable preference, not a total prohibition.

Estimated cost
Amount unknown
Estimated revenue
None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Ensures that public lands and resources primarily serve the local community and residents who fund them through taxes, promoting equitable access for locals.
  • Provides financial relief to disabled veterans, a vulnerable population, by significantly reducing the costs associated with outdoor recreation and leisure.
  • Encourages the use of public parks and connection with nature for local families, which can have positive health and social benefits for the community.
  • The online-only reservation window may disadvantage low-income residents who lack reliable high-speed internet access or digital literacy, effectively excluding them from the priority period.
  • Creating barriers for non-residents could be viewed as insular or unwelcoming, potentially conflicting with values of inclusivity and open borders between states.
  • The discount specifically targets veterans with a 100% disability rating, potentially excluding those with significant but lower-rated disabilities (e.g., 90%) who may also struggle financially.
For Conservatives
  • Prioritizes Rhode Island citizens over out-of-state visitors, reinforcing the principle that state assets should primarily benefit the taxpayers who support them.
  • Demonstrates strong support for veterans who have sacrificed for their country by lowering the financial barrier to access state recreational facilities.
  • Encourages outdoor recreation and traditional family activities within the state without creating a new entitlement program that is entirely free.
  • May reduce overall state revenue by limiting the ability of out-of-state tourists, who often pay full price, to book high-demand camping spots.
  • Expands government price-fixing and subsidies by mandating discounts, which interferes with the market value of the services provided.
  • Adds regulatory complexity to the online booking system, potentially requiring government spending on software updates and administration.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 16 additions · 4 deletions

SECTION 1. Sections 32-1-16 and 32-1-17 of the General Laws in Chapter 32-1 entitled "General Provisions" are hereby amended to read as follows: 32-1-16. Preference for residents with disabilities. Preference for residents, including those with disabilities. Residents of Rhode Island including, but not limited to, those who have a disability shall be given preference in the use of campsites and other recreational facilities over nonresidents who apply for permission to use those facilities. This preference shall be accomplished by providing Rhode Island residents with a two (2) hour window on the online registration system to secure a reservation before any nonresidents are authorized or permitted to make reservations. 32-1-17. Persons with disabilities.

(a) No fee shall be charged any person with a disability regardless of age, or to automobiles transporting a non-driver with a disability, at any recreational facility owned and operated by the state; provided, however, proper identification is presented as prescribed by the department of environmental management. For the purpose of this section “person with a disability” shall mean an individual who has a physical or mental impairment and is receiving: (a)(1) Social security disability benefits (SSDI); (b)(2) Supplemental security income benefits (SSI); or (c)(3) Veterans benefits and who shall be determined under applicable federal law by the federal department of veterans’ affairs to be one hundred percent (100%) disabled through a service-connected disability.

(b) For purpose of this section, “fees” shall include all fees for parking, admittance, or other user fees for playing golf. The term “fees” shall not include licensing fees, camping fees, picnic table fees, or specialized facility use fees, including, but not limited to, fees for the use of equestrian areas, performing arts centers, game fields, and mule shed; provided however, that one hundred percent (100%) disabled veterans shall be entitled to a fifty percent (50%) reduction for licensing fees, camping fees, picnic table fees, or specialized facility use fees.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.