BP BHEAD INT S

AN ACT Relating to exempting disabled veterans from reservation fees for state parks; and amending RCW 43.51.055.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 43.51.055 and 1989 c 135 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The commission shall grant to any person who meets the eligibility requirements specified in this section a senior citizen's pass which shall (a) entitle such person, and members of his camping unit, to a fifty percent reduction in the campsite rental fee prescribed by the commission, and (b) entitle such person to free admission to any state park.

(2) The commission shall grant a senior citizen's pass to any person who applies for the same and who meets the following requirements:

(a) The person is at least sixty-two years of age; and

(b) The person is a domiciliary of the state of Washington and meets reasonable residency requirements prescribed by the commission; and

(c) The person and his or her spouse have a combined income which would qualify the person for a property tax exemption pursuant to RCW 84.36.381, as now law or hereafter amended. The financial eligibility requirements of this subparagraph (c) shall apply regardless of whether the applicant for a senior citizen's pass owns taxable property or has obtained or applied for such property tax exemption.

(3) Each senior citizen's pass granted pursuant to this section is valid so long as the senior citizen meets the requirements of subsection (2)(b) of this section. Notwithstanding, any senior citizen meeting the eligibility requirements of this section may make a voluntary donation for the upkeep and maintenance of state parks.

(4) A holder of a senior citizen's pass shall surrender the pass upon request of a commission employee when the employee has reason to believe the holder fails to meet the criteria in subsection (2)(a), (b), or (c) of this section. The holder shall have the pass returned upon providing proof to the satisfaction of the director of the parks and recreation commission that the holder does meet the eligibility criteria for obtaining the senior citizen's pass.

(5) Any resident of Washington who is disabled as defined by the social security administration and who receives social security benefits for that disability, or any other benefits for that disability from any other governmental or nongovernmental source, or who is entitled to benefits for permanent disability under RCW 71A.10.020(2) due to unemployability full time at the minimum wage, or who is legally blind or profoundly deaf, or who has been issued a card, decal, or special license plate for a permanent disability under RCW 46.16.381 shall be entitled to receive, regardless of age and upon making application therefor, a disability pass at no cost to the holder. The pass shall (a) entitle such person, and members of his camping unit, to a fifty percent reduction in the campsite rental fee prescribed by the commission, and (b) entitle such person to free admission to any state park.

(6) A card, decal, or special license plate issued for a permanent disability under RCW 46.16.381 may serve as a pass for the holder to entitle that person and members of the person's camping unit to a fifty percent reduction in the campsite rental fee prescribed by the commission, and to allow the holder free admission to state parks.

(7) Any resident of Washington who is a veteran and has a service-connected disability of at least thirty percent shall be entitled to receive a lifetime veteran's disability pass at no cost to the holder. The pass shall (a) entitle such person, and members of his camping unit, to free use of any campsite within any state park((~~, and~~)); (b) entitle such person to free admission to any state park; and (c) entitle such person to an exemption from any reservation fees.

(8) All passes issued pursuant to this section shall be valid at all parks any time during the year: PROVIDED, That the pass shall not be valid for admission to concessionaire operated facilities.

(9) This section shall not affect or otherwise impair the power of the commission to continue or discontinue any other programs it has adopted for senior citizens.

(10) The commission shall adopt such rules and regulations as it finds appropriate for the administration of this section. Among other things, such rules and regulations shall prescribe a definition of "camping unit" which will authorize a reasonable number of persons traveling with the person having a pass to stay at the campsite rented by such person, a minimum Washington residency requirement for applicants for a senior citizen's pass and an application form to be completed by applicants for a senior citizen's pass.