Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs Committee |
HB 2710
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. |
Brief Description: Concerning eligibility for lifetime veteran's disability passes.
Sponsors: Representatives McCabe, Kilduff, Johnson, Kochmar, Caldier, Wylie, Walsh, Dent, Muri, Wilson and Shea.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/26/16
Staff: David Rubenstein (786-7153).
Background:
Washington Park Passes.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the State Parks and Recreation Commission (State Parks) are charged with managing the public lands of the state. The WDFW owns or manages nearly one million acres of public land for fish and wildlife, habitat conservation, and wildlife-related recreation. The DNR protects and manages 5.6 million acres of state-owned land. State Parks oversees 119 developed parks.
A Discover Pass is generally required for vehicle access on designated recreational areas located on state lands owned or managed by the DNR, the WDFW, and State Parks. The cost is $30 for an annual pass and $10 for a day-use permit. The use of park facilities such as campsites sometimes carries an additional fee.
Free Park Passes.
State Parks must grant a variety of access passes to certain individuals at no charge. Among them are senior citizens passes available to persons over 62 years old, disability passes, foster home camping passes available to foster parents accompanied by foster children, and disabled veterans passes available to veterans with at least a 30 percent service-related disability. Each pass is available only to Washington residents meeting the eligibility requirements, and State Parks is authorized to deny or revoke a pass from a person not residing in Washington.
Summary of Bill:
The lifetime veteran disability pass is available to any veteran meeting the 30 percent service-related disability requirement, regardless of where the veteran resides. State Parks may not deny or revoke a pass from a veteran based on residency outside of Washington State.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on 1/20/2016.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.