Alaska § 41.21.026 - Fees for the use of state park system facilities.

§ 41.21.026. Fees for the use of state park system facilities.

 (a) Notwithstanding (b) of this section, the department may charge or collect a fee for        (1) rental of public use cabins or other overnight lodgings;

 (2) overnight use of a developed campsite;

 (3) special park use permits;

 (4) competitive and exclusive commercial use permits;

 (5) noncompetitive and nonexclusive commercial use permits;

 (6) use of a sewage holding tank dump station;

 (7) admission to or guided tours of visitor centers and historic sites;

 (8) use of an improved boat ramp in a park facility developed principally for boat launching;

 (9) sale of firewood;

 (10) use of a developed facility that has developed parking and rest rooms; and

 (11) presentation or attendance at programs related to natural or cultural history, outdoor skills or education, or other topics concerned with public use, enjoyment, or understanding of parks.

 (b) The department may not charge or collect a fee for an ordinary use of a park unit or the use of a restroom in a park unit.

 (c) The department shall establish the fees that may be charged or collected under (a) of this section by regulation. Before setting the fees, the department shall consider at public hearings        (1) the cost to the state of operating the facility or managing the activity;

 (2) the normal fees charged for similar facilities or activities by governmental and nongovernmental entities;

 (3) the cost of administering a fee collection program for the facility or activity; and

 (4) the public interest.

 (d) The department shall issue free of charge to disabled veterans of this country an annual state park developed campsite permit. The permit shall allow a disabled veteran to use a state park developed campsite for personal recreation use without a charge or fee under (a)(2) of this section. While utilizing a developed campsite without charge under this subsection, the disabled veteran shall comply with all other statutes or regulations pertaining to the use of the developed campsite. The department shall provide a form for use by a disabled veteran when applying for a permit under this section. Not later than February 1 of each year, the department shall prepare a report on the number of permits issued to disabled veterans under this subsection during the previous calendar year and notify the legislature that the report is available.

 (e) In this section, “developed campsite” means a campsite having access to the following public facilities:        (1) restrooms;

 (2) a picnic table;

 (3) an outdoor cooking facility; and

 (4) an approved water source.

 (f) In addition to the activities, services, and products for which the department may charge or collect a fee under (a) of this section, the department may sell informational, educational, or promotional merchandise. The department shall price merchandise sold under this subsection in a manner that ensures a reasonable monetary return to the state. To the extent practicable, the department shall sell only merchandise produced or manufactured, including printing, screen printing, and embroidery, in the United States that, subject to AS 36.30 , is procured from either an Alaska bidder or a person that employs prisoners under AS 33.30.191 (b).