(a) Not later than August 15, 2015, the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall develop a request for information concerning the operation of concessions, provision of services and offering of recreational amenities at state parks. Such concessions shall include, but not be limited to, year-round concessions and concessions that engage the use of revenue share formulas between the vendor and the department. Such services shall include, but not be limited to, parking options for park patrons, including, but not limited to, advanced reservation parking and convenience or curbside parking. The purpose of such request for information shall be to seek informational documentation for the operation of such concessions, provision of such services and offering of recreational amenities. Not later than September 15, 2015, such request for information shall be forwarded by the commissioner to the Department of Administrative Services for posting on the State Contracting Portal. Concomitantly, the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall direct a copy of such request for information to any private vendor known by the commissioner to provide such operation, provision or offering. Not later than December 1, 2015, the commissioner shall forward, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the environment, a copy of any informational documentation received by the commissioner in response to such request for information and a written assessment and evaluation of such informational documentation, including, but not limited to, any recommendation for the offering at state parks of concessions, services and recreational amenities that are not offered at such state parks as of June 22, 2015.
(b) Not later than September 1, 2016, the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall direct a copy of the request for information developed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section to state-wide business associations, chambers of commerce and trade associations that represent or include members who may have the capacity to operate or offer one or more concessions, services or recreational amenities at state parks. The commissioner shall accept any response to such request for information that is received by the department pursuant to this subsection. Not later than January 1, 2017, the commissioner shall forward, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the environment, a copy of any response and informational documentation received by the commissioner in response to such request for information pursuant to this subsection.
(P.A. 15-106, S. 2; P.A. 16-5, S. 2.)
History: P.A. 15-106 effective June 22, 2015; P.A. 16-5 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (b) re commissioner to direct request for information to state-wide business associations, chambers of commerce and trade associations that represent or include members who may have the capacity to operate concessions, services or recreational amenities at state parks, effective May 5, 2016.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Title 23 - Parks, Forests and Public Shade Trees
Chapter 447 - State Parks and Forests
Section 23-5. - Public reservations; supervision.
Section 23-5a. - Natural area preserves. Declaration of policy.
Section 23-5c. - Natural area preserves system.
Section 23-5d. - Approval of preserve.
Section 23-5f. - Advisory committee.
Section 23-5g. - Cooperation with federal agencies.
Section 23-5h. - Acquisition of property.
Section 23-5i. - Responsibility of other public authorities.
Section 23-6. - Maintenance of state park and forest lands adjoining other states.
Section 23-7. - Memorials in state parks and reservations.
Section 23-8a. - Conveyance of certain state land previously held as protected open space.
Section 23-9. - Acquisition of property by eminent domain.
Section 23-9a. - Acquisition of easements for maintenance of dams.
Section 23-10. - Development of recreational areas.
Section 23-10a. - Designation of state hiking trails.
Section 23-10b. - Outdoor recreation-related services.
Section 23-10c. - Designation of trails for use by horseback riders.
Section 23-10d. - Equine Advisory Council.
Section 23-10h. - Heritage parks: Legislative policy.
Section 23-10i. - Designation of heritage parks. Public hearing. Designation of additional sites.
Section 23-11. - Licenses for use of portions of parks or forests.
Section 23-12. - Transfer of control of open spaces.
Section 23-13. - Animals for public parks.
Section 23-14. - Rights-of-way in state parks and forests.
Section 23-15. - State park receipts deposited in Passport to the Parks account.
Section 23-15a. - Use of state parks. Reimbursement of municipalities.
Section 23-15c. - Revenue from food service facilities, vending machines and stands in state parks.
Section 23-15d. - Request for information re state park concessions, services and amenities.
Section 23-15e. - Rents for special events of limited duration.
Section 23-15f. - Adopt-A-Park program. Financial sponsorship.
Section 23-15g. - Per-person admission fee for state parks. Report.
Section 23-15h. - Passport to the Parks account. Established. Subaccounts. Payments from account.
Section 23-16. - Leases of camp sites.
Section 23-16a. - Leasing of camping sites at shore parks. Pilot program.
Section 23-18. - State Park Police.
Section 23-19. - State Forester.
Section 23-20. - Powers and duties of commissioner.
Section 23-21. - Purchase and sale of land by commissioner.
Section 23-22. - Acquisition of land by exchange.
Section 23-23. - Purchase and sale of seeds and seedling stock.
Section 23-24. - Establishment of boundaries.
Section 23-24a. - Survey of boundaries of state parks and forest lands.
Section 23-25. - Granting of leases for public purposes.
Section 23-26a. - “All-terrain vehicle” defined.
Section 23-26b. - Certificate to operate all-terrain vehicles on state land.
Section 23-26c. - Availability of state land for use by persons operating all-terrain vehicles.
Section 23-26d. - Regulations re safety education courses for the operation of all-terrain vehicles.
Section 23-26e. - Operation of all-terrain vehicles on state land by certain minors.
Section 23-26f. - Regulations re operation of all-terrain vehicles.
Section 23-27. - Federal grants.
Section 23-27a to 23-27k. - Registration of private land for recreational purposes.