SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6136

BYSenators Smith, DeJarnatt, Kreidler, Metcalf and Zimmerman; by request of Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

Repealing authority for surcharges on nonresidents camping at state parks.

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 14, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Smith, Vice Chairman; Barr, Benitz, DeJarnatt, Kreidler, Owen, Patterson, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Henry Yates (786-7708)

                  January 18, 1988

AS PASSED SENATE, JANUARY 27, 1988

BACKGROUND:

In 1979 the Legislature directed the Parks and Recreation Commission to assess a surcharge on persons from other states using Washington State parks.  The surcharge was to be reciprocal and charged in an amount equal to that assessed by other states against out-of-state campers.

The measure was enacted following a $2.00 per day surcharge imposed by Oregon.  Other states over the next several years also began imposing surcharges on out-of-state campers.  Most of these were eastern states, but Arizona adopted a surcharge on out-of-state campers as well.

Oregon has now repealed its out-of-state camper surcharge. Arizona is expected to eliminate its surcharge sometime in January 1988.  This will leave a very small portion of total out-of-state visitors from eastern states subject to Washington's surcharge.  Visitors from Oregon and Arizona represent more than 98 percent of those who come from states assessing the surcharge.

Because only 2 percent of Washington's out-of-state visitors will come from states assessing the surcharge, it may be an unnecessary administrative burden.  There have also been numerous complaints about this practice.

SUMMARY:

The requirement of a surcharge imposed on campers from states also assessing surcharges on out-of-state campers is repealed.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Cleve Pinnix, State Parks and Recreation Commission