Committee approves SB 190 as amended to expand park fee relief for veterans; active-duty removed

Sen. Ed Harbison, presiding temporarily, said the committee would consider Senate Bill 190 and a recently filed substitute (LC461469S). After public testimony and debate over language covering active-duty service members, the committee approved the substitute as amended and referred the bill to the rules committee.

The substitute and subsequent amendment were described by Sen. Wicks, the bill author, who said the amendment removes several references to “active duty members” (lines 3, 14, 41 and 50 in the substitute) because, she said, active-duty personnel already receive free amenities at installations such as Fort Benning and Fort Stewart. "We're gonna strike out active duty members of the military," she told the committee while listing line edits and renumbering needed if the deletions are adopted.

The bill’s supporters told the committee SB 190 is intended to reduce financial barriers for veterans and veterans’ families seeking outdoor rehabilitative and wellness programs. Carla Trina Mignana Walker, a U.S. Navy veteran and veteran-farmer, said living with lupus and tinnitus can limit access to public outdoor spaces and that removing fees helps veterans access therapeutic trail programs. "It would be wonderful that the Vet Space has created space and offered opportunities for me to be able to get in a car with support at times and to be able to get out on trail with a group of women," Walker said.

Vietra Cruz, a U.S. Navy veteran and founder of the Women Veterans Company and a Vet Space ambassador, said SB 190 "represents access to healing" and recounted bringing more than 160 women to outdoor programs that support mental and physical wellness. Retired Army lieutenant colonel Dave Durden, who volunteers setting up outdoor events, described the bill as "fiscally responsible" and targeted to veterans and gold-star families.

After the amendment removing active-duty language was presented and discussed, the committee proceeded to voice votes. The substitute as amended was approved and the bill was sent to the rules committee for further consideration. The committee did not adopt language extending waivers to active-duty personnel; the amendment maker said the change reflected that active-duty service members already receive related benefits through military installations.

The committee adjourned without further action on SB 190; the next procedural step is referral to the rules committee and any subsequent floor or committee action there.