HB0229

Declares the High Plains Research Station and Arboretum in Laramie County a state historic site and establishes management and funding procedures for its preservation and operation.

• Designates the High Plains Research Station and Arboretum as a state historic site managed by the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, with the department required to specify the legal description of the site by rule. (W.S. 36-8-1801(a), W.S. 36-8-1801(b))
• Requires the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources to develop a strategic master plan for preservation and operation of the state historic site. (W.S. 36-8-1801(c))
• Authorizes the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources to enter into memoranda of understanding with cities, towns, counties, departments, political subdivisions, state agencies, and other entities to help administer, operate, maintain, preserve, and study the state historic site. (W.S. 36-8-1801(c))
• Authorizes the department to enter into leasehold and concession agreements in accordance with the strategic master plan, with funds received deposited into the state parks account. (W.S. 36-8-1801(d), W.S. 36-4-121(h))
• Grants the department authority to impose fees in excess of standard state park permit fees to fund preservation, development, operations, personnel, and maintenance expenses for the state historic site. (W.S. 36-8-1802(c))
• Requires unexpended, unobligated fees collected to be deposited in the state parks account at the end of the fiscal year and requires the department to report revenues and expenditures in its biennial budget request. (W.S. 36-8-1802(c), W.S. 9-2-1013)
• Authorizes the department to provide for special events and allow public or private entity management of specified areas of the historic site under lease or contract arrangements. (W.S. 36-8-1802(b))
• Requires the Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources to initiate the strategic master plan within one year of the effective date and submit a report to the joint travel, recreation, wildlife and cultural resources interim committee by October 1, 2026.