FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6387

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.

Background: The State Parks and Recreation Commission (SPRC). The Legislature has charged SPRC with care and control over lands set aside for park purposes, including approximately 120 developed parks. Statutes provide SPRC with broad policy and rulemaking authority over management of the state's park system. Other SPRC responsibilities include recreational boater safety and education and winter recreation.

Discover Pass Program. During the 2011 regular session, the Legislature passed 2SSB 5622 which generally requires an annual Discover Pass or day-use permit for access to certain recreation lands managed by SPRC, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Department of Fish & Wildlife (DFW). The legislation also created a DFW Vehicle Access Pass, which is issued along with certain hunting and fishing licenses and allows access to DFW managed lands. Revenues from the Discover Pass are deposited in the Recreation Access Pass Account (RAPA) and distributed to SPRC, DNR, and DFW according to a statutory formula.

Penalties from Discover Pass Violations. The failure to comply with the Discover or DFW Vehicle Access Pass requirement is a natural resources infraction. The penalty is $99, but is reduced to $59 if an individual purchases a Discover Pass within 15 days of issuance of a notice of violation. District courts have jurisdiction over natural resources infractions, including Discover Pass-related violations. Generally, 32 percent of fines assessed or collected through a district court are provided to the state for deposit in the state General Fund, while the remainder is retained by the county. All fines assessed and collected for county parking infractions are retained by the county.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate	42	6
House	59	39