DNR Letterhead

BILL ANALYSIS

BILL NUMBER: HB 4066, AS INTRODUCED

TOPIC: Exempt certain recreational camping vehicles from the MVP Act

SPONSOR: Representative Tonya Schuitmaker

CO-SPONSORS: N/A

COMMITTEE: Natural Resources, Great Lakes, Land Use and Environment

Analysis Done: February 22, 2005

POSITION

The Department opposes this Legislation.

PROBLEM/BACKGROUND

The Motor Vehicle Permit Act currently requires that all motorized vehicles entering a state park display a valid Motor Vehicle Permit (MVP). This legislation would exempt recreational vehicles from that requirement under certain conditions. This would require a change in current Parks and Recreation Division (PRD) policy and some re-training efforts for our field staff. This legislation would also have a significant negative financial impact on the PRD revenue flow.

DESCRIPTION OF BILL

This bill, as introduced, would revise the State Park Motor Vehicle Act to exempt motor homes from the MVP requirement in campgrounds when a second vehicle is a part of the registered camp and the motor home is only operated on the day of arrival and the day of departure. The intent is to put campers who utilize recreational vehicles on a par with campers who utilize non-motorized camper trailers regarding the need to purchase the vehicle permits.

SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS

Pro

This bill could help motor home owners gain a measure of “fairness” as compared to trailer owners. The objection stated by the motor home owners is to question the fairness of requiring a permit on a motor home that is “like a trailer” when it is parked on a campsite. Trailers are not required to display permits because they are not motor vehicles. The differentiation lies in the fact that the motor home is motorized and, thus, covered under the permit requirement.

Con

This bill would reverse the intent of the enabling legislation which was to require all motor vehicles entering a state park to display a valid MVP. This bill would also reduce the revenue generated from the sale of MVP’s by eliminating the requirement for campers who have a second vehicle. Revenue from the sale of MVP’s represents a significant portion of the PRD operating budget. This bill also adds complications to the interpretation of the need for a permit. Presently, if a vehicle drives into a park, it needs a permit. This bill would inject a number of conditions whereby some motor homes would need a permit and others would not. Additionally, this bill would require monitoring of motor home use within the park to ensure that the vehicle only operates on the day of arrival and day of departure. This could result in some confusion on the part of our staff and the public which may result in variable enforcement and customer dissatisfaction.

FISCAL/ECONOMIC IMPACT

Are there revenue or budgetary implications in the bill to the --

(a) Department

Budgetary:

MVP sales make up a significant portion of the PRD operating budget. This bill would negatively impact the ability to generate the revenue necessary to achieve appropriation goals.

Revenue:

In 2004, PRD hosted over 21,000 unique motor homes in our campgrounds. The vast majority of motor home owners purchase annual MVP’s, currently priced at $24.00 each. Most motor home owners tow, or bring, an additional vehicle for transportation. The PRD estimates that if this bill is passed in its present form, PRD could lose approximately $500,000 in potential MVP sales.

Comments:

The PRD no longer receives General Fund support. MVP sales and user fees constitute the vast majority of financial support for operational needs. This bill would result in a significant reduction in the ability to meet our financial obligations and could result in service reductions.

(b) State

Budgetary:

See above.

Revenue:

See above.

Comments:

None.

(c) Local Government

Comments:

N/A

OTHER STATE DEPARTMENTS

N/A

ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION

This concept has been introduced in the past, most recently in HB 6049 of 2002.

ADMINISTRATIVE RULES IMPACT

N/A

_______________________________

Rebecca A. Humphries

Director

_______________________________

Date

PRD