Parks entry passes authorize entry privileges to parks where
entry fees apply but are not valid for activity or other applicable
fees.
(1) Annual Park Entrance Passes.
(A) A valid annual park entrance pass authorizes park
entry without payment of an individual entrance fee for the holder
of the annual pass, and:
(i) all occupants in the same vehicle with the holder
of the annual park entrance pass if the holder of the annual park
entrance pass is entering by noncommercial motor vehicle;
(ii) up to 14 persons accompanying the pass holder
in the same boat if the holder of the annual park entrance pass is
entering by boat; or
(iii) up to 14 persons accompanying the pass holder
if the holder of the annual park entrance pass is entering by motorcycle,
bicycle or on foot.
(B) An annual park entrance pass is valid only for
private, noncommercial use and is not valid for:
(i) buses or similar vehicles; or
(ii) commercial use such as tour groups.
(C) An annual park entrance pass is not valid unless
presented by the person named on the pass.
(D) The fee for an annual park entrance pass shall
be established by the executive director within the range of $50 -
$100.
(E) The fee for an annual park entrance pass that is
part of a promotional drawing under the provisions of §51.750
of this title (relating to Promotional Drawings), of this title is
$0.
(2) Youth Group Annual Entrance Pass.
(A) A youth group annual entrance pass authorizes entry
to any state park without payment of an individual entrance fee for
up to a total of 50 persons belonging to a nonprofit youth organization.
(B) The department on a case-by-case basis may limit
the number of adult supervisors entering a park under this subsection.
Vehicles entering a park under a single youth group pass may be subject
to additional fees if the number of vehicles exceeds the vehicle capacity
for the campsite.
(C) The fee for a pass under this subsection shall
be established by the executive director within the range of $50 -
$300.
(D) A youth group annual entrance pass is valid for
12 months from date of purchase.
(3) State Parklands Passport. A state parklands passport
shall be issued at no cost to any person meeting the criteria established
by Parks and Wildlife Code, §13.018. For the purposes of this
paragraph, "accompanying" means entering a park simultaneously with
the passport holder.
(A) A state parklands passport issued to a person in
a category listed in this subparagraph authorizes the entry of the
person to any state park without payment of an individual entrance
fee, and includes the waiver of the entry fee for one person accompanying
and providing assistance to the passport holder:
(i) a person whose birth date is before September 1,
1930;
(ii) a veteran of the armed services of the United
States who, as a result of military service, has a service-connected
disability, as defined by the Veterans' Administration, consisting
of the loss of the use of a lower extremity or of a 60 percent disability
rating and who is receiving compensation from the United States because
of the disability; or
(iii) a holder of a state parklands passport issued
on or before August 31, 1995.
(B) A state parklands passport issued to a person in
a category listed in this subparagraph authorizes the entry of the
person to any state park without payment of an individual entrance
fee but does not waive or reduce the entrance fee for any person accompanying
the passport holder:
(i) an honorably discharged veteran of the United States
armed services;
(ii) a member of the United States armed services on
active duty; and
(iii) the surviving spouse, parent, child, or sibling
of a person who died while serving in the United States armed services.
(C) To be eligible for issuance of a state parklands
passport under the provisions of Parks and Wildlife Code, §13.018(a)(3),
a person must submit government-issued personal identification and
one of the following:
(i) an Award of Benefits Letter or a Statement of Benefits
from the Social Security Administration that attests to the applicant's
permanent disability; or
(ii) an affidavit or attestation on a form approved
by the department certifying that the applicant meets the requirements
of Parks and Wildlife Code, §13.018(a)(3) and this subsection.
(D) A state parklands passport issued to a person in
a category listed in this subparagraph who does not otherwise qualify
under subparagraph (A) or (B) of this paragraph authorizes the entry
of the person to any state park upon payment of 50% of the posted
entrance fee for the park, rounded to the nearest higher whole dollar,
which shall also apply to one person accompanying and providing assistance
to the passport holder.
(i) a Texas resident whose birth date is after August
31, 1930; or
(ii) an individual who has a physical or mental impairment
that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities
of the individual.
(E) A parklands passport is nontransferable.
(F) The department may collect a fee for a replacement
state parklands passport.
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| Source Note: The provisions of this §59.3 adopted to be effective April 10, 2016, 41 TexReg 2593; amended to be effective July 2, 2017, 42 TexReg 3396; amended to be effective April 4, 2022, 47 TexReg 1464; amended to be effective October 25, 2023, 48 TexReg 6216 |
