Sponsors: By House Committee on Fisheries, Ecology & Parks (originally sponsored by Representatives Condotta, Cooper and Hinkle).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

• Increases annual off-road vehicle (ORV) use permits from $5 to $18, and increases temporary 60 day ORV use permits from $2 to $7.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Cooper, Chair; Upthegrove, Vice Chair; Sump, Ranking Minority Member; Hinkle, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Buck, Hatfield, O'Brien, Pearson and Simpson, D.

Majority Report: The substitute bill by Committee on Fisheries, Ecology & Parks be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 20 members: Representatives Dunshee, Chair; Hunt, Vice Chair; Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Armstrong, Benson, Blake, Bush, Chase, Eickmeyer, Hankins, Hinkle, Kirby, Lantz, Morrell, Murray, Newhouse, O'Brien, G. Simpson, Veloria and Woods.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Orcutt and Schoesler.

Persons wishing to operate an off-road vehicle (ORV) in Washington must obtain an ORV use permit from the Department of Licensing (DOL) or an authorized agent. There are several exceptions to the ORV use permit requirement including ORVs operated by federal, state or local governments and ORVs operated on lands owned or leased by the operator. In addition, ORVs registered as vehicles for valid operation on state highways are not required to obtain an ORV use permit.

Currently, an annual ORV use permit or a renewal costs $5. Temporary permits, which are valid for 60 days, cost $2.

After retaining sufficient funds to cover administrative expenses for the DOL, moneys collected for ORV use permits are deposited in the Nonhighway and Off-road Vehicle Program Activities (NOVA) account, along with NOVA funds from the motor vehicle tax refund. The Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC) oversees the NOVA grant program, providing funding for the development and management of ORV and nonhighway road recreation facilities. Moneys from ORV permit use fees may only be expended for ORV recreation facilities.

The price of an annual ORV use permit or a renewal is increased from $5 to $18. Temporary 60 day ORV use permit fees are increased from $2 to $7. After retaining funds to cover administrative costs for the DOL, revenues from the ORV permit use fee are deposited in the NOVA account for ORV recreation facilities.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed..

Testimony For: (Fisheries, Ecology & Parks) This bill represents the last piece of the changes being proposed for the NOVA program. With the proposed redistribution of fees from the NOVA program, the motorized community felt it was necessary to add more funds to the system. The motorized community has not seen a fee increase since 1971. The motor sports dealers support the bill, it is an excellent way for users to provide funding to preserve riding opportunities. This bill gives the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) the opportunity to work with ORV users to provide trails and facilities. The DNR appreciates all of the volunteer time provided by ORV users to help manage ORV areas.

Testimony For: (Capital Budget) The bill represents an agreement by the motorized community to pay more to help fund better trails and facilities. It is part of the agreed-to changes being proposed for the NOVA program.

Persons Testifying: (Fisheries, Ecology & Parks) Representative Condotta, prime sponsor; Mark Briant, Washington State Motorsports Dealers Association; Pene Speaks, Department of Natural Resources; and Eric Andersen, Washington State Department of Licensing.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: (Fisheries, Ecology & Parks) None.