Relating to: hiking permits, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

AB 978 creates a mandatory hiking permit system for hikers using groomed trails on state-owned land (excluding vehicle admission areas). It requires adults to pay a $20 annual fee, youth aged 12+ pay $10, and children under 12 hike for free, with additional 75-cent processing fees. The bill grants the department rule-making authority to manage permit issuance, agents, and a statewide automated system, while allowing exemptions for activities incidental to other approvals, organized events, or existing trail passes. Fees collected fund the permit system and are managed through specific appropriation accounts.