SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1199

As of March 13, 2001

Title:  An act relating to the display of fish and wildlife lands vehicle use permits.

Brief Description:  Altering the format of a fish and wildlife lands vehicle use permit.

Sponsors:  By Representatives Schindler, Mielke, Sump, G. Chandler, McMorris and Armstrong.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines:  3/19/01.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & SHORELINES

Staff:  Ross Antipa (786‑7413)

Background:  The Department of Fish and Wildlife manages over 800,000 acres of wildlife habitat, many with improved access areas for parking, and over 600 boating and fishing access sites on Washington=s lakes, rivers, and streams.  These lands are open to the public for such activities as hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation.  Prior to April 1999, a person wishing to use these lands that did not purchase a hunting or fishing license was required to purchase a $10 conservation license.  In 1998, the Legislature eliminated the personally held conservation license, and replaced it with a vehicle specific lands access permit.

All persons using one of the department=s 249 approved access facilities, such as a parking area, or a boat launch, must have a vehicle lands access permit (or ?decal@) displayed on their vehicle.  The permit is issued by the department, and is in the form of a permanently affixed decal.  The decal must then be displayed in the rear window of the user=s vehicle.

Any person purchasing a hunting, fishing, trapping, or combination license is issued one decal at no additional cost.  If a person wishes to access department land without purchasing a hunting, fishing, trapping, or combination license, he or she may purchase a decal from any of the department=s authorized license dealers for the cost of $10.  Decals are not transferable between different vehicles.  Any person who has received a decal with their sporting license, or has purchased a decal individually, may purchase additional decals at a reduced price for each vehicle they can prove to the department they own.  The cost of additional decals is $5 each. 

Failure to display the vehicle lands access permit, or decal, while on department-managed land is punishable by a fine of $66.

Summary of Bill:  The Department of Fish and Wildlife no longer issues its vehicle lands use permits in the form of a permanently affixed decal.  Instead, the permit is issued in a form allowing it to be temporarily displayed from the interior of a motor vehicle.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.