AN ACT Relating to state parks; adding new sections to chapter 43.51 RCW; and repealing RCW 43.51.055.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) Persons who are senior citizens, are at least sixty-two years of age, and have been residents of Washington state for at least one year shall, upon application to the commission, receive a senior citizen pass which entitles the holder and the holder's camping unit to thirty nights of camping at any camping areas made available by the commission. Each such pass shall be valid only during one camping period and may be renewed after being used for thirty nights of camping.

(2) Applications for senior citizen passes shall be made on forms prescribed by the commission and shall be accepted only after August 15 for the following camping period.

(3) The fee for each camping senior citizen pass and renewal shall be fifteen dollars. A surcharge equal to the fee for an electrical hookup established in WAC 352-32-250 shall be assessed for each night a camping senior citizen pass holder uses a campsite with an electrical hookup.

(4) For pass holders who travel by car or recreational vehicle a camping unit shall include the pass holder and up to seven guests of the holder who travel with the holder and use one campsite or portion of a designated group camping or emergency area. One additional vehicle without built-in sleeping accommodations may be part of the camping unit of a holder at one campsite or portion of a designated group camping or emergency area when in the judgment of a ranger the constructed facilities so warrant and the total number of guests of the holder do not exceed seven.

(5) For pass holders who travel by a mode of transportation other than car or recreational vehicle a camping unit shall include the pass holder and up to five guests who travel with the holder and use one campsite or portion of a designated group camping or emergency area.

(6) If a pass holder changes residency to a place outside Washington state during the time period when a pass is valid, the pass holder shall return the pass to the commission.

(7) Each senior citizen's pass granted pursuant to this section shall, unless renewed, expire on January 1 of the next year following the year in which it was issued.

(8) This section shall not affect or otherwise impair the power of the commission to continue or discontinue any other programs it has adopted for senior citizens.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) Any resident of Washington who is disabled as defined by the social security administration and who receives social security benefits for that disability, or any other benefits for that disability from any other governmental or nongovernmental source, or who is entitled to benefits for developmental disability under RCW 71A.10.020 due to unemployability full time at the minimum wage, or who is legally blind or profoundly deaf, or who has been issued a card, decal, or special license plate for a permanent disability under RCW 46.16.381 shall be entitled to receive, regardless of age and upon making application therefor, a disability pass at no cost to the holder. The pass shall entitle such person, and members of his camping unit, to free admission to any state park.

(2) A card, decal, or special license plate issued for a permanent disability under RCW 46.16.381 may serve as a pass for the holder to entitle that person and members of the person's camping unit (a) to free use of any campsite within any state park, and (b) to free admission to any state park.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Any resident of Washington who is a veteran and has a service-connected disability of at least thirty percent shall be entitled to receive a lifetime veteran's disability pass at no cost to the holder. The pass shall (a) entitle such person, and members of his or her camping unit, to free use of any campsite within any state park, and (b) entitle such person to free admission to any state park.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) All passes issued pursuant to sections 1 through 3 of this act shall be valid at all parks any time during the year: PROVIDED, That the passes shall not be valid for admission to concessionaire operated facilities.

(2) The commission shall adopt such rules as it finds appropriate for the administration of sections 1 through 3 of this act. Among other things, such rules shall prescribe a definition of "camping unit" which will authorize a reasonable number of persons traveling with the person having a pass to stay at the campsite rented by such person, a minimum Washington residency requirement for applicants for a senior citizen's pass and an application form to be completed by applicants for a senior citizen's pass.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. Section 1, chapter 330, Laws of 1977 ex. sess., section 1, chapter 131, Laws of 1979 ex. sess., section 1, chapter 182, Laws of 1985, section 1, chapter 6, Laws of 1986, section 909, chapter 176, Laws of 1988 and RCW 43.51.055 are each repealed.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. Sections 1 through 4 of this act are each added to chapter 43.51 RCW.