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2012 SESSION

12103926D
SENATE BILL NO. 571
Offered January 18, 2012
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 10.1-200.4, relating to competition with private businesses by camping grounds operated by the Department.
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Patrons-- Reeves (By Request) and Garrett
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Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 10.1-200.4 as follows:

§ 10.1-200.4. Competition with private businesses.

A. Camping ground fees charged by the Department shall be set annually on or before March 1 and shall include the following categories of service:

1. Campsites that have no water, electrical, or sewer hookups;

2. Campsites with water and electrical hookups;

3. Campsites with water, sewer, and electrical hookups;

4. Campsites with additional services, including wireless Internet service, television or telephone hookups, grills, tables, or other conveniences;

5. Primitive camping; and

6. Group camping.

For each camping ground, the Department shall set a fee for each category of service that is not lower than the mean fee charged for the same category of service by the privately operated camping grounds in the same and all adjoining counties. The mean fee shall be calculated based on any fee schedules for such year voluntarily provided upon request to the Department by operators of privately operated camping grounds each year by January 15.

B. After July 1, 2012, the Department shall not construct any new camping ground until it has assessed the camping facility needs of the area in which it proposes to construct a camping ground and concluded that adequate camping facilities are not being provided in the area by private camping ground operators.

C. The Department shall not operate any restaurant, retail store, marina, golf course, entertainment facility, recreational facility in which cabins or units are rented, or other business that competes with a private business in the same county or any adjoining county unless (i) the Department makes a good-faith effort at least once every two years to secure a private person or business to operate such facility and (ii) no such person or business is secured.