Title: An act relating to park passes.

Brief Description: Allowing the parks and recreation commission to deny or revoke the issuance of a park pass in certain circumstances.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives B. Sullivan, Kretz, Blake and Moeller; by request of Parks and Recreation Commission).

Brief History:

Agriculture & Natural Resources: 2/15/07, 2/22/07 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/6/07, 97-0.
Senate Amended.
Passed Senate: 4/5/07, 47-0.
House Concurred.
Passed House: 4/14/07, 94-0.
Passed Legislature.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 15 members: Representatives B. Sullivan, Chair; Blake, Vice Chair; Kretz, Ranking Minority Member; Warnick, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dickerson, Eickmeyer, Grant, Hailey, Kagi, Lantz, McCoy, Newhouse, Orcutt, Strow and VanDeWege.

Staff: Jason Callahan (786-7117).

Background:

The State Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) may charge fees for the use of campsites located at state parks. The rate of the fee is set by the Commission. However, regardless of the fee set, there are three categories of individuals who are eligible to receive a discounted rate for camping: seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans with service-related disabilities.

Seniors and people with disabilities are eligible for a pass that entitles them to a 50 percent discount in campsite rental fees. Veterans with a service-related disability are entitled to a pass that provides for the free use of any campsite.

Individuals who meet the requirements for the discounted passes must be given a pass. The passes are valid until surrendered. The Commission may only compel the surrender of a pass if the holder is found to no longer meet the eligibility requirements for the pass.

It is illegal for any person, regardless of motive, to injure or destroy plant materials in a state park, or to kill or pursue with the intent to kill any bird or other animal in a state park. A person found guilty of killing or taking a plant or animal in a state park can be prosecuted for a misdemeanor.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The Commission is provided with the authority to deny or revoke a parks pass if there is cause. The Commission may find cause if the pass holder or applicant:

• is not a Washington resident;
• has violated laws or park rules that resulted in an eviction from a park;
• has intimidated, obstructed, or assaulted a park employee or volunteer;
• has used the pass in a fraudulent manner;
• provided false information on the application;
• refuses to display the pass when requested; or
• fails to provide current eligibility requirement information.

The Commission is also provided with the authority to enter into agreements for reciprocal discounted programs with other outdoor recreation agencies and to permit scientific research within a state park that provides for the killing of a bird or other animal.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) There have been between 10 to 15 incidences of fraud and abuse recorded with discounted parks passes in the past few years, but the Commission is not allowed to revoke the passes. This bill allows the Commission to revoke discount passes when these abuses occur.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Fred Romero, State Parks and Recreation Commission.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.