ARC 9231C

ARC 9231C

Rulemaking related to state parks and recreation areas

However, one rule from Chapter 63 has been adopted into Chapter 61, and an existing reference in Chapter 61 to Chapter 63 has been removed. Chapter 61 provides the citizens of Iowa and other visitors who use state parks, recreation areas, and state forest campgrounds with guidance with using these areas.Additionally, during review it was determined that certain definitions needed updated. The phrase “Boy Scouts of America” was no longer accurate and has been modified to “Scouting America.” The phrases “recreation areas,” “state parks,” and “state park managed by another governmental entity” have also been modified to add sentences that were inadvertently removed during a prior rulemaking.

This chapter has been reviewed and edited consistent with Executive Order 10.

Notice of Intended Action for this rulemaking was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on January 8, 2025, as ARC 8585C. A public hearing was held on the following date(s):

●January 29, 2025

●February 6, 2025

No one attended the public hearings. No public comments were received.

One change from the Notice has been made. The phrase “Boy Scouts of America” was changed to “Scouts of America” in the Notice and has since been updated to “Scouting America.” This new title has been adopted into the final rulemaking. No other changes from the Notice have been made.

ITEM 1.Amend rule 571—61.1(461A), definitions of “Chaperoned, organized youth group,” “Recreation areas,” “State park” and “State park managed by another governmental entity,” as follows:

“Chaperoned, organized youth group” means a group of persons 17 years of age and under, whichthat is sponsored by and accompanied by adult representatives of a formal organization, including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts ofScouting America or Girl Scouts of America, a church, ora Young Men’s or Young Women’s Christian Association. “Chaperoned, organized youth group” does not include family members of a formal organization.

“Recreation areas” means the following areas that have been designated by action of the commission:

These areas are managed for multiple uses, including public hunting, and are governed by rules established in this chapter as well as in 571—Chapters 51 and 105.

“State park” means areas managed by the state and designated by action of the commission and listed on the department’s website at www.iowadnr.gov.Use and management of these areas are governed by Iowa Code chapter 461A and by other restrictions prescribed on area signs pursuant to Iowa Code section 461A.44.

“State park managed by another governmental entity” means areas designated by action of the commission and listed on the department’s website at www.iowadnr.gov.Use and management of these areas are governed by Iowa Code chapter 461A, by this chapter, and by rules adopted by the managing entity.

ITEM 2.Amend paragraph 61.8(2)“a” as follows:

a.Renters shall pay in full a damage deposit equal to the weekend daily or nightly rental fee for the facility or $50, whichever is greater, by the established deadline for the facility. If a gathering with keg beer takes place in a lodge or open shelter with kitchenette, the damage deposit shall be waived in lieu of a keg damage deposit as specified in 571—subrule 63.5(3) if the keg damage deposit is greater than the lodge or open shelter with kitchenette damage deposit.

ITEM 3.Adopt the following new subrule 61.10(15):

61.10(15) Prohibited areas for kegs. Gatherings at which keg beer is served shall not be conducted in beach areas, campgrounds, or parking areas or in areas immediately adjacent to those areas. Kegs are permitted in day-use lodges and open-air shelters with a kitchenette.

ITEM 4.Rescind and reserve 571—Chapter 63.

[Filed 4/17/25, effective 6/18/25]

[Published 5/14/25]

EDITOR’S NOTE: For replacement pages for IAC, see IAC Supplement 5/14/25.