Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Natural Resources topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House approves DNR 'horsesense' bill after questions about state-owned golf-course fees
Summary
House passed Representative Draxler's Department of Natural Resources amendments (HB240) after floor amendments and questions focused on state golf-course fee changes (switching cart fees to a percentage of green fees), boating alcohol rules and a typographical correction; supporters said the changes align operations with common practice and help state parks' mission.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House on Feb. 19 passed House Bill 240, a periodic package of Department of Natural Resources amendments that sponsors described as routine updates for state parks, wildlife and recreation programs.
Representative Draxler moved two floor amendments (a definition clarifying "conservation officer" as a post-certified Division of Wildlife Resources employee and a typographical correction replacing "Jordan" with "Green" River State Park in a golf-course list). Draxler said the bill reduces the Falcon relicense age from 14 to 12, aligns boating alcohol penalties with road DUI policy, removes duplicate boating-language requirements, changes some golf-course user-fee calculations (moving cart fees from a flat $1.50 to 15% of green fees) and adds a national parks representative to the Recreational Trails Advisory Council.
Representative Dougal and others questioned the golf-course fee change and whether state-owned courses operate at a net profit or require subsidy. Draxler said some courses operate with thin profit margins and that changing to a percentage of green fees would better reflect standard practice and improve operations. Draxler and supporters argued the courses meet the State Parks Department's mission to provide recreational opportunities.
After debate and floor amendment votes, HB240 passed the House (53–19) and will be transmitted to the Senate. The sponsor said any signs or trail markings associated with the bill would be funded by private donations when applicable.
The bill contains both technical corrections and several substantive changes to fees and membership of advisory councils; members asked for operational data when expressing concern about subsidization.
