FINAL BILL REPORT

2SSB 5622

C 320 L 11

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning recreation access on state lands.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Ranker, Swecker, Fraser, Hargrove, White, Regala, Shin, Chase, Kline and Conway; by request of Parks and Recreation Commission, Department of Natural Resources and Department of Fish and Wildlife).

Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Marine Waters

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background: The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the State Parks and Recreation Commission (State Parks) are charged with managing the public lands of the state. WDFW owns or manages nearly one million acres of public land for fish and wildlife, habitat conservation, and wildlife-related recreation. DNR protects and manages 5.6 million acres of state-owned land. In addition, the Washington State park system includes 120 developed parks.

DNR and State Parks currently do not charge fees for access to their lands or recreation sites. WDFW charges $10 for the annual fish and wildlife lands vehicle use permit, or the permit is provided free of charge with all hunting and fishing licenses.

Public or private landowners are not liable for unintentional injuries to members of the public who use the land for outdoor recreation, if no fee is charged. State Parks and WDFW vehicle use and parking permits are not considered a fee for purposes of recreational immunity.

Summary: Creates the Discover Pass which costs $30 per year and is available for purchase at the Department of Licensing (DOL) at the time of vehicle registration, through the WDFW's automated system, and through the State Parks Reservation System. A complimentary Discover Pass must be provided to a volunteer who performs 24 hours of service on agency-sanctioned volunteer projects in a year.

Creates the Day-Use Permit which costs $10 per calendar day and is available for purchase through each state agency.

Hunters and fishers will receive a Vehicle Access Pass to WDFW lands only with the purchase of certain specified hunting and fishing licenses.

The Discover Pass or the Day-Use Permit is not required for persons who have a valid camper registration issued by State Parks.  The annual investment permit is allowed in lieu of the Discover Pass or Day-Use permit at State Parks’ designated boat launch sites. The sno-park seasonal permit is allowed in lieu of the Discover Pass or Day-Use permit at designated sno-parks between November 1 and March 31 of each year.

State Parks may offer up to 12 free days, of which three days must be on weekends.

The act maintains the current donation for State Parks at the time of vehicle registration at DOL.

A new account is created with the following disbursements:

For the first $71 million in revenue:

• 8 percent is deposited into the Wildlife Account (WDFW);

• 8 percent is deposited into Park Land Trust Revolving Account (DNR); and

• 84 percent is deposited into State Parks Renewal & Stewardship Account.

For any additional revenue beyond $71 million:

• Revenues are distributed equally amongst the agencies.

The Discover Pass, Vehicle Access Pass, and Day-Use Permit must be visible in the front windshield of the vehicle. Failure to display the pass or permit is an infraction with a penalty of $99, reduced to $59 if a Discover Pass is purchased.

The Discover Pass and the Day-Use Permit are not considered a fee under the Recreational Immunity Statute for purposes of liability.

The agencies are authorized to delegate and accept enforcement authority under the Interlocal Cooperation Act.

Votes on Final Passage: