§ 22-4-103 - State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission -- Powers generally.
22-4-103. State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission -- Powers generally.
The State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission, in addition to the other powers granted in this chapter, shall have the sole authority:
(1) (A) To acquire in the name of the state by purchase, lease, or agreement such land within the state as it may deem necessary or proper for the extension, development, or improvement of the state park system.
(B) If the department is unable to agree with the owner of the land, or if by legal incapacity or absence of the owner, no agreement can be made for the purchase, the land may be acquired by condemnation proceedings instituted in the name of the state in the manner provided by law for the condemnation of property for public purposes.
(C) No land shall be taken or contracted to be taken for an amount beyond the sum available therefor, and no tender shall be required for property taken by condemnation proceedings until the amount required to be paid is ascertained by the court sitting as a jury for the purpose of determining the value of the property condemned;
(2) To take in its discretion in fee or otherwise, by gift or devise, land for state park and recreational purposes and to receive gifts, bequests, or contributions of money or other property to be used in extending, improving, or maintaining the state parks system;
(3) To apply to the Commissioner of State Lands for the transfer of any state-owned land or land the title to which has reverted to the state by reason of tax delinquency and which is deemed by the Department of Parks and Tourism as suitable and desirable for park and recreational purposes. The Commissioner of State Lands is authorized and directed to make such transfers which shall operate as an appropriation of the land for park and recreational purposes forever and shall be a bar to any grants by the state of the land so transferred or of any interest in it for any purpose whatsoever;
(4) To accept transfers and conveyances of rights and titles vested in the United States Government to land and buildings within this state for state park and recreational purposes or to lease them, under such conditions as the Government of the United States may impose;
(5) To make expenditures from funds available for the care, supervision, improvement, development, and protection of the state parks system;
(6) To remove or cause to be removed and to sell wood, timber, rocks, stone, or other products from the parks. All moneys received from the sale of those items shall be paid into the general fund of the State Treasury;
(7) To cooperate with counties, municipalities, and other political subdivisions of the state, with other states, and with the federal government in matters relating to planning, establishing, developing, improving, or maintaining any park, parkway, or recreational area;
(8) To appoint local and regional park and recreational councils to consider, study, and advise in the work of the commission for the extension, development, use, and maintenance of the parks for which appointed. The Chair of the State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission and the Director of the Department of Parks and Tourism shall be ex officio members of all councils so appointed; and
(9) To confer on employees of the department the full authority of peace officers for all land under its jurisdiction.