BILL REQ. #:  S-3421.1 

Read first time 01/21/10.   Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation.

     AN ACT Relating to accessing land for outdoor recreation; amending RCW 77.32.380 and 77.12.880; and creating a new section.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 77.32.380 and 2003 c 317 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1)(a) Persons who enter upon or use clearly identified department improved access facilities with a motor vehicle may be required, while within or while using an improved access facility, to display ((a current annual fish and wildlife lands vehicle use permit)) on the motor vehicle ((while within or while using an improved access facility)) one of the following:
     (i) A current annual fish and wildlife lands vehicle use permit as provided in this section;
     (ii) A wild on Washington, endangered wildlife, or Washington's wildlife special license plate as authorized in chapter 46.16 RCW; or
     (iii) A personalized license plate as defined in RCW 46.16.560.
     ((An)) (b) As used in this section, "improved access facility" ((is)) means a clearly identified area specifically created for motor vehicle parking, and includes any boat launch or boat ramp associated with the parking area, but does not include the department parking facilities at the Gorge Concert Center near George, Washington.
     (2)(a) One vehicle use permit shall be issued at no charge with an initial purchase of either an annual saltwater, freshwater, combination, small game hunting, big game hunting, or trapping license, or a watchable wildlife decal, issued by the department.
     (b) The annual fee for a fish and wildlife lands vehicle use permit, if purchased separately, is ((ten dollars)):
     (i) Twenty dollars beginning on the effective date of this section;
     (ii) Twenty-five dollars beginning July 2, 2011; and
     (iii) Thirty dollars beginning July 1, 2013.
     (c) A person to whom the department has issued a vehicle use permit or who has purchased a vehicle use permit separately may purchase additional vehicle use permits from the department at a cost of ((five)) ten dollars per vehicle use permit.
     (d) Revenue derived from the sale of fish and wildlife lands vehicle use permits shall be used solely for the following purposes:
     (i) Stewardship and maintenance of department improved access facilities; and
     (ii) Maintenance and tangible physical improvements to land managed by the department, such as fence construction and upkeep, weed control, road maintenance, and restoration projects.
     (e) The revenue collected under this section may not be used by the department for administrative, scientific, or enforcement purposes.
     (3) Youth groups may use department improved access facilities without possessing a vehicle use permit when accompanied by a vehicle use permit holder.
     (((2))) (4) The vehicle use permit must be displayed from the interior of the motor vehicle so that it is clearly visible from outside of the motor vehicle before entering upon or using the motor vehicle on a department improved access facility. The vehicle use permit can be transferred between two vehicles and must contain space for the vehicle license numbers of each vehicle.
     (((3))) (5)(a) Failure to display the fish and wildlife lands vehicle use permit or applicable license plate type, if required by this section, is ((an)) a natural resources infraction under chapter 7.84 RCW, and department employees are authorized to issue a notice of infraction to the registered owner of any motor vehicle entering upon or using a department improved access facility ((without such a vehicle use permit)) in violation of this section.
     (b) The penalty for ((failure to clearly display the vehicle use permit)) a violation of this section is sixty-six dollars. This penalty ((is)) must be reduced to thirty dollars if the registered owner provides proof to the court that he or she purchased a vehicle use permit within fifteen days after the issuance of the notice of violation.

Sec. 2   RCW 77.12.880 and 2003 c 153 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The department shall manage wildlife programs in a manner that provides for public opportunities to view wildlife and supports nature-based and wildlife viewing tourism without impairing the state's wildlife resources.
     (2)(a) The department may develop information accessible through the department's internet web site that promotes outdoor recreational and wildlife viewing opportunities. The web-based information may include, but is not limited to, information about:
     (i) The department's wildlife areas and access sites;
     (ii) Public and private lands open to the public for recreational access; and
     (iii) Information promoting watchable wildlife and nature-based tourism activities.
     (b) The department may require, as a condition of accessing the web-based information authorized in this section, the purchase of certain recreational license documents provided for in chapter 77.32 RCW, including the fish and wildlife lands vehicle use permit issued under RCW 77.32.380. The commission may identify by rule which recreational license documents provide access to the web-based information.
     (c) Information relating to hunting and fishing regulations, as well as general information pertaining to the department, must be accessible to the general public without having to first purchase a license from the department.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) This act applies prospectively only. However, the department of fish and wildlife may limit web-based access under section 2 of this act to information relating to outdoor recreational and wildlife viewing opportunities collected prior to the effective date of this section.
     (2) The privilege of accessing information under section 2 of this act applies only to the convenience of instantaneous access via the department's internet web site. Nothing in this act is intended to limit the public's ability to otherwise access information under chapter 42.56 RCW.