FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 5200

C 121 L 17

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Allowing spouses to combine volunteer hours for purposes of receiving a complimentary discover pass.

Sponsors: Senators Becker, Warnick, Fain, Bailey, Brown, Hasegawa and Rolfes.

Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Parks

House Committee on Environment

Background: Discover Pass Program in General. During the 2011 regular session, the Legislature established the requirement for an annual Discover Pass or day-use permit for motor vehicle access to recreation lands managed by the State Parks & Recreation Commission, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Department of Fish & Wildlife (agencies).

Discover Pass Exemptions. A Discover Pass or day-use permit is not required in certain circumstances. Examples include the following:

• parking at designated short-term parking areas;

• entry onto state lands consistent with a written authorization such as a lease or contract;

• accessing Department of Fish and Wildlife lands with a Vehicle Access Pass, which is issued along with certain hunting and fishing licenses; and

• operating on an ungated road managed by the Department of Natural Resources or the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Complementary Volunteer Discover Pass. A volunteer who performs 24 hours of service on agency-sanctioned volunteer projects in a year is entitled to a complimentary Discover Pass. The agencies provide a volunteer with vouchers identifying the number of volunteer hours. After reaching 24 volunteer hours, the volunteer can redeem the vouchers for a Discover Pass.

Summary: Married spouses who collectively perform 24 hours of volunteer service on agency-sanctioned projects are entitled to receive a single complimentary Discovery Pass.

Votes on Final Passage: