A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to prohibit disabled veterans from being charged for access to, or for the use of public service facilities or conveniences within, State forests, State parks, State lakes, and other areas under the charge of the department of environment and natural resources.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 113‑35 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(b2)	No disabled veteran shall pay any fee for access to any State forest, State park, State lake, or other area under the Department's charge or for the use of any public service facility or convenience within a State forest, State park, State lake, or other area under the Department's charge. As used in this subsection, the term 'disabled veteran' means a person who is a fifty percent (50%) or more disabled veteran as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs."
SECTION 2.  G.S. 113‑35(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	The Department may construct, operate, and maintain within the State forests, State parks, State lakes, and other areas under its charge suitable public service facilities and conveniences, and may, subject to subsection (b2) of this section, charge and collect reasonable fees for the use of these facilities and conveniences. The Department may also charge and collect reasonable fees for each of the following:
(1)	The erection, maintenance, and use of docks, piers, and any other structures permitted in or on State lakes under rules adopted by the Department.
(2)	Hunting privileges on State forests and fishing privileges in State forests, State parks, and State lakes, provided that these privileges shall be extended only to holders of State hunting and fishing licenses who comply with all State game and fish laws.
(3)	Vehicle access for off‑road driving at the beach at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area.
(4)	The erection, maintenance, and use of a marina at Carolina Beach."
SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2007.