Park entry passes authorize entry privileges to parks where entry fees apply but are not valid for tour, activity or other applicable fees.

1. (1) Annual Park Entrance Passes.

   1. (A) A valid annual park entrance pass authorizes park entry without payment of an individual entrance fee for the holder of the annual pass, and:

      1. (i) all occupants in the same vehicle with the holder of the annual park entrance pass if the holder of the annual park entrance pass is entering by noncommercial motor vehicle;
      2. (ii) up to 14 other persons accompanying the pass holder in the same boat if the holder of the annual park entrance pass is entering by boat; or
      3. (iii) up to 14 other persons accompanying the pass holder if the holder of the annual park entrance pass is entering by bicycle or on foot.

   2. (B) An annual park entrance pass is valid only for private, noncommercial use and is not valid for:

      1. (i) buses or similar vehicles; or
      2. (ii) commercial use such as guided tour groups.
   3. (C) An annual park entrance pass is not valid unless presented by the person named on the pass.
   4. (D) The fee for an annual park entrance pass shall be established by order of the executive director within the range of $50 - $100.
   5. (E) The fee for an annual park entrance pass that is part of a promotional drawing under the provisions of §51.750 of this title (relating to Promotional Drawings), of this title is $0.

2. (2) Youth Group Annual Entrance Pass.

   1. (A) A youth group annual entrance pass authorizes entry to any state park without payment of an individual entrance fee for up to a total of 50 persons belonging to a nonprofit youth organization.
   2. (B) The department on a case-by-case basis may limit the number of adult supervisors entering a park under this subsection. Vehicles entering a park under a single youth group pass may be subject to additional fees if the number of vehicles exceeds the vehicle capacity for the campsite.
   3. (C) The fee for a pass under this subsection shall be established by order of the executive director within the range of $50 - $300.
   4. (D) A youth group annual entrance pass is valid for 12 months from date of purchase.

3. (3) State Parklands Passport. A state parklands passport shall be issued at no cost to any person meeting the criteria established by Parks and Wildlife Code, §13.018.

   1. (A) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a state parklands passport authorizes the entry of the person to whom it was issued to any state park without payment of an individual entrance fee, and includes a discounted individual entry fee of 50% for one person accompanying and providing assistance to the passport holder. For the purposes of this paragraph, "accompanying" means entering a park simultaneously with the passport holder.

   2. (B) To be eligible for issuance of a state parklands passport under the provisions of Parks and Wildlife Code, §13.018(a)(3), a person must submit government-issued personal identification and one of the following:

      1. (i) an Award of Benefits Letter or a Statement of Benefits from the Social Security Administration that attests to the applicant's permanent disability; or
      2. (ii) an affidavit or attestation on a form approved by the department certifying that the applicant meets the requirements of Parks and Wildlife Code, §13.018(a)(3) and this subsection.
   3. (C) A state parklands passport holder whose date of birth is after August 31, 1930 may enter any state park upon payment of 50% of the posted entrance fee for the park, rounded to the nearest higher whole dollar.
   4. (D) A parklands passport is nontransferable.
   5. (E) The department may impose a fee for a replacement state parklands passport.

Source Note:The provisions of this §59.3 adopted to be effective April 10, 2016, 41 TexReg 2593.