Committee advances bill letting counties add up to $1 surcharge on state park entrance fees to aid local first responders

The House Committee on Natural Resources advanced HB 1204 by a 12–0 roll call, a measure that would let county councils impose a surcharge of up to $1 on Department of Natural Resources entrance fees collected at state parks and recreation areas. The surcharge would be optional for counties and would exempt annual pass holders.

Sponsor Representative Dave Hall said the bill is meant to help counties that host state-owned properties cover public-safety and infrastructure costs — for example, volunteer fire departments and EMS that respond to incidents on park lands. Hall presented a spreadsheet showing in-state and out-of-state daily vehicle counts and estimated revenue; he said the surcharge could generate meaningful local revenue without unduly burdening visitors.

Local officials and stakeholder groups testified in favor. Roy Reitzman, president of the Park County Council, cited DNR visitation figures for Turkey Run and Raccoon Lake and said volunteer departments make a significant share of emergency runs to park properties. David Bodnar of the Association of Indiana Counties compared the proposal to federal payments in lieu of taxes and called it a recognition that state-owned lands create local costs.

Will Haynes, legislative director for DNR, described the bill’s mechanics and urged caution. Haynes said the $1 surcharge would not apply to annual pass holders and noted that visitors will typically perceive any increase as a state fee. He acknowledged DNR’s appreciation for first responders but said the agency prefers budget-year solutions and would like to continue discussions on safeguards and implementation. Haynes also cited a DNR figure that Pokagon State Park generated a direct economic impact of about $73,000,000 in 2024.

Conservation and land-protection groups largely supported the idea but urged clearer limits on how counties use funds. Catherine Koenig of Save the Dunes testified as neutral and recommended language changes to ensure surcharge revenue is prioritized for projects tied to the affected park, its natural resources and nearby first responders rather than being diverted to unrelated county needs.

Volunteer firefighters and outdoor groups said even $1 would help pay for specialized rescue equipment and the extra calls that accompany heavy visitation. Committee members asked whether counties already use local taxes to fund services, whether DNR has funds to help, and whether the measure should mandate a minimum share for public-safety spending; sponsor Hall said he left the eligibility broad to trust local decision-making but that counties could choose how to allocate funds.

After discussion the committee called the roll; the clerk recorded 12 yes, 0 no, and Chair Shane Lindauer announced the bill passed the committee 12–0. The bill will move forward in the legislative process, where members signaled potential interest in amendments to clarify permissible uses of revenue and accountability to park-related impacts.