BILL REQ. #:  S-0494.1 

Read first time 01/17/2003.   Referred to Committee on Parks, Fish & Wildlife.

     AN ACT Relating to creating the corps of discovery pass for Lewis and Clark parks; adding a new section to chapter 79A.05 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature recognizes the national significance of the bicentennial anniversary of the Lewis and Clark expedition and the anticipated increase in tourism to sites along the trail. The legislature is also aware that due to budget reductions the state parks and recreation commission recently closed four facilities located on the Lewis and Clark trail that were leased from the federal government and operated by the Washington state parks and recreation commission. The legislature encourages the state parks and recreation commission to develop a corps of discovery pass to generate revenues to be used to reopen, operate, and maintain Central Ferry, Chief Timothy, Lyons Ferry, and Crow Butte state parks.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 79A.05 RCW to read as follows:
     The commission may develop a corps of discovery pass that is valid in lieu of parking fees that are required at sites designated by the commission along the Lewis and Clark trail. The commission may seek private assistance with the marketing and merchandising of the corps of discovery pass and may use any Lewis and Clark trail logos owned by the state of Washington. All proceeds from the sale of the corps of discovery pass must be deposited in the state parks renewal and stewardship account and must be used for costs associated with administering the pass and the operation and maintenance of state parks along the Lewis and Clark trail.