(a) The commissioner may (1) provide for the collection of fees for parking, admission, boat launching and other uses of state parks, forests, boat launches and other state recreational facilities, (2) establish from time to time the daily and seasonal amount thereof, (3) enter into contractual relations with other persons for the operation of concessions, (4) establish other sources of revenue to be derived from services to the general public using such parks, forests and facilities, (5) employ such assistants as may be necessary for the collection of such revenue. The commissioner shall deposit such revenue derived therefrom with the State Treasurer in the Passport to the Parks account established pursuant to § 23-15h. On and after July 1, 1992, any increase in any fee or any establishment of a new fee under this section shall be by regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. Not later than May 1, 2010, said commissioner shall establish the daily and seasonal amount of such parking, admission, boat launching and other use fees for residents of this state in amounts not greater than one hundred thirty-five per cent of the amounts charged for such fees by said commissioner as of April 1, 2009. Not later than May 1, 2010, said commissioner shall establish the daily and seasonal amount of such parking, admission, boat launching and other use fees for nonresidents of this state in amounts not greater than one hundred fifty per cent of the amounts charged for such fees by said commissioner as of April 1, 2009. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the commissioner may enter into an agreement with any municipality under which the municipality may retain fees collected by municipal officers at state boat launches when state employees are not on duty.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the commissioner may establish fees for the public use of the mansion at Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford, the Ellie Mitchell Pavilion at Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme and Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam provided no fee shall be charged to any group organized as a nonprofit corporation under 26 USC 501(c)(3) for purposes of providing support to such parks or facilities and further provided the commissioner shall specify procedures and criteria for the selection of any private business which is engaged by the state to provide services during any such public use, including, but not limited to, catering services. Such fees, procedures and criteria shall be effective until June 30, 1999, or until regulations are adopted, whichever is sooner. Regulations implementing such fees, procedures and criteria shall be adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 on or before July 1, 1999. Such fees shall be comparable with rents and charges of similar properties based on fair market rates.

(c) The commissioner shall issue to any nonresident of the state, upon payment of a fee established by said commissioner, a nontransferable Connecticut private passenger motor vehicle pass which permits free parking throughout the calendar year at any state park, forest, boat launch or other state recreational facility, provided the commissioner shall not be required to issue such a pass to any park, forest or facility which is wholly managed by a private concessionaire and may require payment of fees for special events. Not later than May 1, 2010, said commissioner shall establish the amount of such fee for nonresidents of this state in an amount not greater than one hundred fifty per cent of the amount charged for such fee by said commissioner as of April 1, 2009.

(d) The commissioner shall issue to any resident of the state who is sixty-five years of age or older and to any resident of this state who is a disabled veteran, as defined in § 14-254, or under federal law, without fee, upon application of such resident, a nontransferable lifetime pass which shall permit free admission and boat access parking for use at any state park, forest or state recreational facility, provided the commissioner shall not be required to issue such a pass for use of any park, forest or facility which is wholly managed by a private concessionaire and may require payment of fees for special events.

(e) Notwithstanding any provision of this section, any person with a valid Connecticut motor vehicle license plate shall not pay a parking fee at any state park, forest or other state recreational facility on and after January 1, 2018.