BILL REQ. #:  H-3745.1 

Prefiled 1/3/2006. Read first time 01/09/2006.   Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks.

     AN ACT Relating to state park fees; amending RCW 79A.05.215 and 79A.05.070; and adding a new section to chapter 46.16 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 46.16 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, in addition to the vehicle license fees required under RCW 46.16.0621, there shall be paid and collected at the time of initial or renewal registration for each motor vehicle an additional fee of five dollars. The fee shall be deposited in the state parks renewal and stewardship account established in RCW 79A.05.215 to be used for the operation and maintenance of state parks.
     (2) A person who registers a vehicle under this section may, at the time of initial or renewal registration, certify that the person does not intend to use the vehicle to visit state parks. If a person certifies that they do not intend to use the vehicle to visit state parks, the department shall not collect the additional fee in subsection (1) of this section.
     (3) This section applies to registrations due or to become due on or after July 1, 2006.

Sec. 2   RCW 79A.05.215 and 1995 c 211 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
     The state parks renewal and stewardship account is created in the state treasury. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, all receipts from user fees, concessions, leases, optional motor vehicle license fees under section 1 of this act, and other state park-based activities shall be deposited into the account. Expenditures from the account may be used for operating state parks, developing and renovating park facilities, undertaking deferred maintenance, enhancing park stewardship, and other state park purposes. Expenditures from the account may be made only after appropriation by the legislature.

Sec. 3   RCW 79A.05.070 and 2003 c 186 s 1 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 fees 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 forty 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.