Committee hears sponsor testimony for bill to give veterans 25% discount at state parks

Senate Bill 223, introduced by Senator Patton, received sponsor testimony in the Armed Services, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee. The bill would direct the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to provide a 25% discount on all state camping and rental fees for veterans and active-duty military personnel.

Senator Tom Patton said Ohio is home to over 700,000 veterans and about 32,000 active service members and described the proposal as a way to increase quality-of-life opportunities and draw visitors to Ohio’s 76 state parks. He noted that the current baseline discount is 10% for overnight camping with advanced reservations and suggested the bill would expand and simplify access, including day-use fees and overnight rentals.

During questions, a committee member asked whether other states had similar programs and whether data exist on uptake; Senator Patton said he would request information from the Legislative Service Commission to provide comparative figures to the chair and committee.

The committee concluded the first hearing; no committee vote on the bill was recorded in this transcript.