BILL REQ. #:  S-1072.2 

Read first time 01/27/09.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to promoting safe winter recreation by supporting the continued operation of the northwest weather and avalanche center; adding a new section to chapter 46.10 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 79A.05 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that the northwest weather and avalanche center provides valuable avalanche forecasting and education services, provides valuable information to the public, and reduces the impacts of adverse mountain weather and avalanches on recreation, industry, and transportation in Washington state.
     The northwest weather and avalanche center is cooperatively funded by a number of public and private entities. In recent years, however, several budget crises have threatened to shut down the avalanche center, posing risks to recreation safety, tourism, and freight and passenger mobility.
     Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to ensure, in continued cooperation with the federal government, appropriate states, and private sources, that the northwest weather and avalanche center receive the resources necessary to continue providing weather and avalanche forecasts for the benefit of Washington state. It is also the intent of the legislature that any resources provided to the center through this act be in addition to, and not supplant, current support from the state.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 46.10 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) In addition to the registration fees collected under RCW 46.10.040, the department shall collect a northwest weather and avalanche center surcharge of two dollars. The revenue generated from the surcharge must be deposited in the northwest weather and avalanche center account established in section 4 of this act to be used solely to support the operation of the northwest weather and avalanche center.
     (2) This section applies to registrations due or to become due on or after October 1, 2009.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) In addition to the fees collected for winter recreation area parking permits authorized under RCW 79A.05.230, the commission shall collect a northwest weather and avalanche center surcharge of two dollars. The revenue generated from the surcharge must be deposited in the northwest weather and avalanche center account established in section 4 of this act to be used solely to support the operation of the northwest weather and avalanche center.
     (2) This section applies to winter recreation area parking permits purchased on or after October 1, 2009.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   The northwest weather and avalanche center account is created in the state treasury. All receipts from the northwest weather and avalanche center surcharges collected under sections 2 and 3 of this act must be deposited into the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only to support the operation of the northwest weather and avalanche center.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   The commission shall collaborate with appropriate public and private entities to seek sustainable and cooperative funding for the northwest weather and avalanche center, with equitable contributions from the federal government, appropriate states, and private sources.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   Sections 3 through 5 of this act are each added to chapter 79A.05 RCW.