§1703. Louisiana State Parks Improvement and Repair Dedicated Fund Account

            A. There is hereby established in the state treasury a special statutorily dedicated fund account to be known as the "Louisiana State Parks Improvement and Repair Dedicated Fund Account", hereinafter referred to in this Section as the "account". Monies deposited into the account shall be categorized as fees and self-generated revenue for the sole purpose of reporting related to the executive budget, supporting documents, and general appropriation bills and shall be available for annual appropriation by the legislature.

            B. Out of the funds remaining in the Bond Security and Redemption Fund after a sufficient amount is allocated from that fund to pay all obligations secured by the full faith and credit of the state that become due and payable within a fiscal year, the treasurer in each fiscal year shall pay into the account all of the following:

            (1) An amount equal to the total amount of fees and other self-generated revenues generated by state parks, except as provided in R.S. 56:1704.

            (2) An amount equal to all donations of private monies made to the state of Louisiana or any political subdivision, department, agency or corporation of the state for the conservation, administration, control, management, development, operation, or maintenance of any office of state parks holdings. These monies shall be appropriated only for the conservation, administration, control, management, development, operation, or maintenance of office of state parks holdings.

            C. Except as provided in Paragraph (B)(2) of this Section, the monies in the account shall be used solely for the purpose of financing improvements and repairs at state parks in the state and shall be allocated, subject to appropriation by the legislature, as follows:

            (1) Except as provided in R.S. 56:1704, fifty percent of the monies in the account shall be allocated to each state park in an amount equal to fifty percent of the amount of fees and other self-generated funds generated by that park.

            (2) Fifty percent of the monies in the account shall be allocated for use throughout the state park system on the following priority need basis, as recommended by the assistant secretary of the office of state parks:

            (a) First, for protection of life or property on existing park areas.

            (b) Second, for general repairs and improvements to existing facilities on existing park areas.

            (c) Third, for addition of new facilities on existing park areas.

            (d) Fourth, for acquisition of property to expand existing park areas.

            (e) Fifth, for maintenance and operations of existing park areas.

            D. All unexpended and unencumbered monies in the account at the end of a fiscal year shall remain in the account and be available for appropriation in the next fiscal year in the same manner as allocated herein. Monies in the account shall be invested as provided by law. Interest earned on the investment of monies in the account shall be credited to the state general fund.

            Acts 1989, No. 729, §1, eff. July 8, 1989; Acts 1992, No. 121, §1, eff. July 1, 1992; Acts 2010, No. 770, §1; Acts 2013, No. 420, §8, eff. June 21, 2013; Acts 2014, No. 791, §19; Acts 2021, No. 114, §16, eff. July 1, 2022.