HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5151

As Amended by the House

BYSenate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Wojahn, Rasmussen, Metcalf, Bauer, Vognild, Warnke and Moore)

Extending senior citizen state park passes.

House Committe on Natural Resources & Parks

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (10)

      Signed by Representatives Belcher, Chair;K. Wilson, Vice Chair; Beck, Ranking Republican Member; Brumsickle, Dellwo, Ferguson,R. Fisher, Hargrove, Raiter and Sayan.

House Staff:Bill Koss (786-7129)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 6, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission administers a senior citizen park pass program which entitles eligible persons to free admission to any state park and reduced rates for campsite rental.  To be eligible, a person must be at least 62 years of age, meet a "reasonable" residency requirement set by the commission, and have an income, which when combined with the income of a spouse, does not exceed the amount which would qualify the person for a property tax exemption.  The legislature sets this exemption level at $18,000 per year.

Each senior citizen park pass, unless renewed, expires on January 1 of the year following its issuance.  For purposes of the financial eligibility requirements, any application for renewal of the pass is to be treated as an original application.

SUMMARY:

A senior citizen park pass shall be valid so long as the senior citizen meets the residency requirements.  An application for renewal of the pass is no longer required.  Any senior citizen qualifying for a park pass may make a voluntary donation for the upkeep and maintenance of state parks.

Commission employees may ask a person to surrender his or her pass if the employee has reason to believe the person does not meet the age, residency, or income requirements for the pass.  The commission shall return the pass if it determines the person does meet the requirements.

Fiscal Note:      No Impact.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Tom France, State Parks and Recreation Commission.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The commission issued 2,502 senior citizen passes in 1988.  This allows the holder to a 50 percent discount in the fee for a camping unit, but the person must pay the full cost of any utilities charged for the campsite.  Active enforcement of stricter provisions would cost more than the benefits gained.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.