KRS 148.021: Functions, powers, duties of department.

(1) The Department of Parks shall exercise all administrative functions of the state

relating to the operation of state parks, shrines, monuments, and museums except

those allocated to the historical society.

(2) The department may request acquisition, subject to the provisions of KRS Chapters

42, 45, 45A, 56, and the provisions made in this chapter, of lands by purchase,

lease, or otherwise, on which to operate state parks.

(3) The department may improve said parks by constructing and equipping

improvements or facilities in said parks.

(4) The department may operate said parks, fix fees and charges for the use of said

parks and the improvements and facilities constructed therein, and provide for the

collection of said fees and charges and the proper accounting therefor, except that:

(a) The department shall not impose boat launching fees at any boat ramp over

which it has authority and control;

(b) The department shall not allow, grant permission to, or permit any individual,

sole proprietorship, partnership, co rporation, limited liability company, or

other form of business arrangement to which the department has granted a

rental or leasehold interest or has engaged to manage or operate facilities that

include a public boat launching ramp, to charge a boat launch ing fee at any

boat ramp; and

(c) 1. The department shall not impose on graduates of the PGA HOPE

program any green fees or associated golf rates except fees for golf cart

rental.

2. To claim the fee and rate exemption provided by this paragraph, a PGA

HOPE graduate shall present his or her valid PGA HOPE graduate card

at the time of purchase, and the exemption shall extend to the PGA

graduate and one (1) guest.

3. As used in this paragraph, "PGA HOPE program" means the Helping

Our Patriots Everywhere program established by the Professional

Golfers' Association of America's Reach Foundation, which introduces

and teaches golf to veterans and active -duty military to en hance their

physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being.

(5) The Department of Parks is authorized to enter into any agreement with the Breaks

Interstate Park Commission for the operation of any facilities in the Breaks

Interstate Park.

(6) The Department of Parks is authorized to accept, for deposit in a trust and agency

fund account in accordance with KRS 45.253, on behalf of the state any grant or

contribution, federal or otherwise, to assist in meeting the cost of carrying out the

functions assigned to the Department of Parks.

(7) Notwithstanding any provision in KRS Chapter 41, 45, 45A, or 47 to the contrary,

there may be established separate cash funds and depositories at each state park

from which immediate payment of refunds may be made to a p atron or guest of

such state park of any unearned money advanced or paid by such guest or patron.

The department may accept from a guest or patron an amount which includes the

fee for the service rendered plus a gratuity for the waitress or other designate d

person and remit the gratuity directly from the depository or cash fund to the

designated recipient thereof. Such funds or depositories shall be governed by

regulations established by the Department of Parks and approved by the Finance

and Administration Cabinet.

(8) The commissioner may promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with

provisions of KRS Chapter 13A in order to carry out the provisions of this section.