FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5438

C 243 L 01

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Concerning the fish and wildlife lands vehicle use permit.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines (originally sponsored by Senators Jacobsen, Regala and Oke; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife).

Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines

Background:  Use of certain improved fish and wildlife access facilities is limited to hunters, fishers, and others who have purchased an access decal for their vehicle.  Improved access facilities include parking areas and boat ramps.  The purchase of a hunting or fishing license includes an access decal without extra charge.  Nonhunters and nonfishers must pay $10 for the first decal and $5 for each additional decal.  Decals are valid for one year.

Statutes governing the program are very specific and difficulties have arisen in the administration of the program.  For example, there is a disparity in how extra decals are given to licensees.  Some users have objected to being required to permanently affix the decal to their vehicle.  Also, concerns have been raised about the difficulty of preventing licensees from giving extra decals to unlicensed users.

Summary:  Instead of requiring a decal, the department may create a vehicle use permit and one is free with the initial purchase of a license.  An additional use permit may be purchased for $5, but the initial use permit may also be transferred between two vehicles and must contain space for the vehicle license numbers.  The penalty for failing to clearly display the permit is $60, but it is reduced to $30 if the owner provides proof to the court that a vehicle use permit has been purchased within 15 days after the violation.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate470

House     95 1 (House amended)

Senate        (Senate refused to concur)

House     91 0 (House amended)

Senate    46 2 (Senate concurred)

Effective:  July 22, 2001