Relative to a start park public safety parking surcharge.
The expected revenue generated from this new surcharge is estimated to be between $150,000 and $200,000 annually, based on historical parking data. These funds will be distributed quarterly to the municipalities hosting state parks and can only be used for public safety services resulting from park visitation. However, there are concerns that implementing the surcharge may restrict the state's ability to increase parking fees in the future, as the total fee applied to visitors will increase due to the surcharge.
House Bill 1751 establishes a 5% public safety surcharge on paid parking at state park facilities in New Hampshire. The purpose of the surcharge is to generate revenue that will be allocated towards public safety services, such as police, fire, and emergency medical services, which are directly related to the visitation at these parks. The bill mandates that the collected surcharge revenues be deposited into a new Public Safety Parking Surcharge Fund, which is designed to support municipalities that host state park facilities.
While the bill is generally perceived as a beneficial measure to enhance public safety around state parks, some concerns have been raised regarding its fiscal implications. Notably, some members of the legislature worry about the potential decrease in revenue to the State Park Fund, estimated at up to $100,000 annually, if the surcharge influences future pricing decisions. Additionally, there are logistical challenges associated with implementing the new surcharge, such as ensuring compliance and developing adequate systems to collect and report the funds.
The bill requires the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to manage the collection of the surcharge through existing parking infrastructure. It emphasizes the necessity for public transparency, including proper signage at facilities and annual reporting of generated revenues. The overarching goal of the bill is to enhance the safety of the park visiting experience while ensuring that municipalities have the needed resources to address any safety concerns related to increased park use.