House Committee Passes Bill To Provide State Park Discounts To Tennessee Veterans

Image Credit: TN General Assembly

The Tennessee Conservative Staff –

A bill that would provide veterans with discounts at state parks at the same rates that are offered to state employees passed unanimously through the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday.

All 14 committee members voted to recommend House Bill 0328 (HB0328), sponsored by State Representative William Slater (R-Gallatin-District 35) for passage.

The legislation would guarantee discounts “for activities, retail purchases, camping, and lodging at state parks to veterans who are Tennessee residents with the same frequency, and at the same rates, as the discounts for activities, retail purchases, camping, and lodging at state parks that are offered to state employees.”

Tennessee veterans who have service-connected permanent total disabilities would also be guaranteed to receive a discount of at least 50% for camping and overnight cabin lodging fees at state parks.

The legislation stipulates that the discounts only apply to reservations made within 30 days of the intended day and are subject to availability as determined by the commissioner.

HB0328 will move on to the House Finance, Ways, and Means Committee. 

The companion Senate Bill 0249 (SB0249), sponsored by Senator Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin-District 18), was passed by the Senate Energy, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Committee on February 26 and has been referred to the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee.