Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Innovation, Community & Economic Development, & Veterans Committee
HB 1384
Brief Description: Providing access to parks to all Washington veterans.
Sponsors: Representatives Shavers, Eslick, Doglio, Ramel, Gregerson and Leavitt.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Removes the requirement that a Washington veteran have a service-connected disability of at least 30 percent in order to be entitled to free use of campsites within state parks, free admission to state parks, and exemption from reservation fees.
Hearing Date: 1/25/23
Staff: Cassie Jones (786-7303).
Background:

The Washington Parks and Recreation Commission (State Parks) manages recreation at over 120 state parks.  State Parks charges admission and camping fees for state park access.  Under park passes programs, State Parks issues different park passes for specially designated groups that qualify for discounts or exemptions from park fees.  One of these passes is the Disabled Veteran Lifetime Pass.  The Disabled Veteran Lifetime Pass entitles any state resident who is a veteran with at least a 30 percent service-connected disability to free use of campsites within state parks, free admission to state parks, and exemption from reservation fees.
Summary of Bill:

The Disabled Veteran Lifetime Pass is renamed the Veteran Lifetime Pass.  The Veteran Lifetime Pass entitles a state resident who is a veteran, regardless of disability status, to free use of campsites within state parks, free admission to state parks, and exemption from reservation fees.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 17, 2023.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.