Amends TCA Title 11, Chapter 3, Part 1.

Present law authorizes the commissioner of environment and conservation ("commissioner") to cause to be purchased and to develop the method for purchasing, without the approval of any other agency of state government, services, raw materials, merchandise for resale, supplies and equipment necessary for provision of quality services for state park operations. However, this authority does not allow the department to contract for services previously accomplished for the parks by state employees or for services that could reasonably be expected to be accomplished by state employees.<br /> <br /> Present law provides that it is the responsibility of the commissioner to develop policies and procedures to ensure, to the extent practicable, that purchases made on behalf of park operations are at the lowest possible price while at the same time ensuring quality and timely delivery. The commissioner must file such policies and procedures with the procurement commission for the commission's review and approval.<br /> <br /> As used in present law, "park operations" means inns, cabins, restaurants, golf courses, gift shops, marinas, snack bars, and vending machines at state parks. This bill expands the definition of "park operations" by providing, instead, that "park operations" means a park facility used in connection with fee-based recreational activities or intended to be revenue-generating, including a lodge, inn, cabin, campground, group camp, restaurant, golf course, gift shop, marina or other boat rental facility, visitors center, meeting space, skeet range, snack bar, shelter, and vending machine.<br />