HOUSE BILL REPORT
ESSB 5010
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Passed House - Amended:
March 6, 2008
Title: An act relating to creating a state park foster home pass.
Brief Description: Creating a state park foster home pass.
Sponsors: By Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Honeyford and Hewitt).
Brief History:
Ecology & Parks: 2/22/08, 2/26/08 [DP];
Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government & Audit Review: 2/28/08, 2/29/08 [DPA].
Floor Activity:
Passed House - Amended: 3/6/08, 92-1.
Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill (As Amended by House) |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Upthegrove, Chair; Rolfes, Vice Chair; Sump, Ranking Minority Member; Dickerson, Dunshee, Eickmeyer, Kristiansen, O'Brien and Pearson.
Staff: Jaclyn Ford (786-7339).
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON GENERAL GOVERNMENT & AUDIT REVIEW
Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 12 members: Representatives Linville, Chair; Ericks, Vice Chair; Skinner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Blake, Chandler, Kretz, Lantz, Liias, Miloscia, Morris and Nelson.
Staff: Alicia Dunkin (786-7178).
Background:
Washington statute provides state park fee discounts and exemptions to several categories of
residents. These classes include: (1) senior citizens with a limited income; (2) disabled
persons; and (3) disabled veterans. Generally, the exemptions provide free park admission
and a 50 percent reduction in camping fees. The disabled veteran exemption, however,
provides free park admission, an exemption from camping reservation fees, and free
camping.
Summary of Amended Bill:
Washington residents qualify for a foster home pass when they either provide licensed foster
care to a child under a foster family home license or are related to that child. When
accompanied by a foster child, the pass entitles the holder and the members of his or her
camping unit to free admission and camping at state parks.
Applicants must request a pass from the State Parks and Recreation Commission
(Commission). The Commission must verify with the Department of Social and Health
Services that the applicant is eligible for a pass. The Commission must issue passes for no
less than one year.
The Commission must also negotiate to allow holders of the foster home park pass free
access and use of park campsites at Central Ferry, Chief Timothy, Crow Butte, and Lyons
Ferry in Asotin County. The Commission will request reimbursement on a biennial basis.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed. However, the bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: (Ecology & Parks)
(In support) This is a way to say thank you to foster parents and their children.
(Opposed) This would be a fiscal impact to State Parks. This bill would be a double hit to
the State Parks. First, camping would be free to these park holders and their camping units
and so State Parks would have to change their software and do rule making to accommodate
this new pass. Second, State Parks would have to negotiate with the Army Corps of
Engineers for access to the non-state-owned parks. State Parks would like to see a stable
source of revenue before implementing this program.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: (Appropriations Subcommittee on General
Government & Audit Review)
(In support) I have been a foster parent for 20 years and now have older teens. We spend
most of August camping because it is something we can do together as part of our 24/7 job of
being a foster parent. In Washington we don't identify kids as foster kids and we would like
to keep it that way. We are not going to abuse this pass and would support re-wording it so
that we don't need to identify our kids as being foster kids. These kids come from horrible
situations and this is a little thing that we can do to help them out. We think by having this
card that it will have a ripple effect in the private sector for passes to other activities as well.
We would also agree to limit how long people can stay in parks.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: (Ecology & Parks) (In support) Senator Honeyford, prime sponsor.
(Opposed) Fred Romero, Washington State Parks.
Persons Testifying: (Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government & Audit Review) Senator Honeyford, prime sponsor; Steve Baxter, Foster Parents Association of Washington State; and Gary Malkasian.