BILL REQ. #:  H-1428.1 

Read first time 02/13/2003.   Referred to Committee on Fisheries, Ecology & Parks.

     AN ACT Relating to prohibiting the assessment of access or parking fees at state parks and recreation commission facilities; amending RCW 79A.05.070; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that Washington state parks are a valuable natural resource for all citizens to enjoy. The legislature also finds that families visit state parks to recreate, relax, or just to enjoy the beautiful scenery. The legislature further finds that state parks are supported by tax dollars, and should be open and available to all citizens, regardless of their income and ability to pay. The legislature recognizes that many families that visit state parks cannot afford more expensive forms of recreation, and they rely on state parks for their family vacation. Therefore, the legislature finds that there should be free access and parking at all state parks.

Sec. 2   RCW 79A.05.070 and 1999 c 249 s 307 are each amended to read as follows:
     The commission may:
     (1) Make rules and regulations for the proper administration of its duties;
     (2) Accept any grants of funds made with or without a matching requirement by the United States, or any agency thereof, for purposes in keeping with the purposes of this chapter; accept gifts, bequests, devises and endowments for purposes in keeping with such purposes; enter into cooperative agreements with and provide for private nonprofit groups to use state park property and facilities to raise money to contribute gifts, grants, and support to the commission for the purposes of this chapter. The commission may assist the nonprofit group in a cooperative effort by providing necessary agency personnel and services, if available. However, none of the moneys raised may inure to the benefit of the nonprofit group, except in furtherance of its purposes to benefit the commission as provided in this chapter. The agency and the private nonprofit group shall agree on the nature of any project to be supported by such gift or grant prior to the use of any agency property or facilities for raising money. Any such gifts may be in the form of recreational facilities developed or built in part or in whole for public use on agency property, provided that the facility is consistent with the purposes of the agency;
     (3) Require certification by the commission of all parks and recreation workers employed in state aided or state controlled programs;
     (4) Act jointly, when advisable, with the United States, any other state agencies, institutions, departments, boards, or commissions in order to carry out the objectives and responsibilities of this chapter;
     (5) Grant franchises and easements for any legitimate purpose on parks or parkways, for such terms and subject to such conditions and considerations as the commission shall specify;
     (6) Charge such fees for services, utilities, and use of facilities as the commission shall deem proper. The commission may not charge a fee for general park access or parking;
     (7) Enter into agreements whereby individuals or companies may rent undeveloped parks or parkway land for grazing, agricultural, or mineral development purposes upon such terms and conditions as the commission shall deem proper, for a term not to exceed ten years;
     (8) Determine the qualifications of and employ a director of parks and recreation who shall receive a salary as fixed by the governor in accordance with the provisions of RCW 43.03.040 and determine the qualifications and salary of and employ such other persons as may be needed to carry out the provisions hereof; and
     (9) Without being limited to the powers hereinbefore enumerated, the commission shall have such other powers as in the judgment of a majority of its members are deemed necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter: PROVIDED, That the commission shall not have power to supervise directly any local park or recreation district, and no funds shall be made available for such purpose.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.