Bill Sponsors
Spears, Cotter, McGaw, Dawson, Boylan, Kazarian, Shanley, Caldwell, Read, and DeSimone
Committee
House Finance
Summary
Select
This legislation expands the criteria for fee exemptions at Rhode Island state-owned recreational facilities, such as parks and beaches. Currently, individuals receiving Social Security Disability (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or 100% service-connected Veterans benefits are exempt from admission, parking, and golf fees. This bill amends the law to also include individuals who have been determined by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to be disabled for the purposes of Medicaid eligibility. This changes allows these specific Medicaid recipients to access state recreational facilities free of charge.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Increases equitable access to public green spaces and recreational facilities for low-income individuals with disabilities who rely on Medicaid, ensuring that financial status does not prevent enjoyment of nature.
- Strengthens the social safety net by aligning state recreational benefits with Medicaid eligibility, recognizing that disability definitions should be consistent across state services to better support vulnerable populations.
- Promotes physical and mental health equity by removing cost barriers to outdoor recreation, which is proven to have therapeutic benefits for individuals managing long-term health conditions or disabilities.
Cons for Progressives
- Does not address the broader issue that public parks and beaches should ideally be free for all residents, regardless of disability or income status, rather than relying on means-testing.
- Potential loss of revenue for the Department of Environmental Management could be used as a pretext by fiscal conservatives to cut funding for park maintenance or staff wages in the future.
- Requires individuals to disclose their specific government benefit status to park attendants to receive the waiver, which could be viewed as an undignified invasion of privacy for marginalized groups.
Pros for Conservatives
- Utilizes an existing verification system (Medicaid eligibility) rather than creating a new, costly bureaucratic process to determine who qualifies for fee waivers.
- Demonstrates compassionate support for the genuinely disabled without necessarily creating a universal handout, keeping the benefit targeted toward those with documented physical or mental impairments.
- Encourages the use of state assets by residents, ensuring that tax-funded parks are utilized by the citizenry rather than sitting empty.
Cons for Conservatives
- Expands the scope of government handouts by widening the pool of people exempt from user fees, which ultimately shifts the cost burden of park maintenance onto taxpaying citizens.
- Reduces revenue generated by state facilities, which is fiscally irresponsible and could lead to budget deficits or requests for tax increases to cover the shortfall.
- Erodes the "user fee" principle where those who use a service contribute to its upkeep, effectively subsidizing leisure activities for a specific group at the expense of the general public.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Medicaid recipients with disabilities
- Department of Environmental Management
- Executive Office of Health and Human Services
- State Park Staff
- General Taxpayers
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
Amount unknown
Revenue Generated
None
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Environmental Impact
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 01/09/2026 Introduced, referred to House Finance
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Section 32-1-17 of the General Laws in Chapter 32-1 entitled "General Provisions" is hereby amended to read as follows:
32-1-17. Persons with disabilities.
No fee shall be charged any person with a disability regardless of age, or to automobiles transporting a non-driver with a disability, at any recreational facility owned and operated by the state; provided, however, proper identification is presented as prescribed by the department of environmental management. For the purpose of this section “person with a disability” shall mean an individual who has a physical or mental impairment and isreceiving:
(a)Social Receiving social security disability benefits (SSDI);
(b)Supplemental Receiving supplemental security income benefits (SSI); or
(c)Veterans Receiving veterans benefits and who shall be determined under applicable federal law by the federal department of veterans’ affairs to be one hundred percent (100%) disabled through a service-connected disability.;or
(d) Determined by the executive office of health and human services, or its designee, to be disabled for purposes of Medicaid eligibility.
For purpose of this section, “fees” shall include all fees for parking, admittance, or other user fees for playing golf. The term “fees” shall not include licensing fees, camping fees, picnic table fees, or specialized facility use fees, including, but not limited to, fees for the use of equestrian areas, performing arts centers, game fields, and mule shed.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
32-1-17. Persons with disabilities.
No fee shall be charged any person with a disability regardless of age, or to automobiles transporting a non-driver with a disability, at any recreational facility owned and operated by the state; provided, however, proper identification is presented as prescribed by the department of environmental management. For the purpose of this section “person with a disability” shall mean an individual who has a physical or mental impairment and is
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d) Determined by the executive office of health and human services, or its designee, to be disabled for purposes of Medicaid eligibility.
For purpose of this section, “fees” shall include all fees for parking, admittance, or other user fees for playing golf. The term “fees” shall not include licensing fees, camping fees, picnic table fees, or specialized facility use fees, including, but not limited to, fees for the use of equestrian areas, performing arts centers, game fields, and mule shed.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.