Lawmakers approve bill to increase state park permit fees

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is authorized to increase its annual park entry permit fees under a bill approved by the Legislature May 5.

LB421, introduced by Louisville Sen. Dave Pankonin, will increase the maximum annual entry permit fee from $20 to $25 for resident motor vehicles and from $25 to $30 for nonresident motor vehicles. The maximum fee also will increase from $4 to $5 for temporary resident entry permits and from $5 to $6 for nonresidents.

The bill also will increase the fee collected by entities issuing permits as reimbursement for clerical work. The current range for the fee is 25 to 35 cents, which will be dropped for a standard fee of $1.

Finally, the bill will require the placement of park permits on the driver’s side of vehicle windshields.

LB421 has an effective date of Jan. 1, 2012.

Lawmakers voted 41-5 on final reading to approve the bill.