Brief Description: Concerning state park fees.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks (originally sponsored by Representatives Kessler, Hasegawa, Hunt, Haigh, McIntire, Dunshee, B. Sullivan and Takko).

House Committee on Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks
House Committee on Appropriations
Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation
Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background:

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) is granted authority to care for and supervise the state parks system. The Commission also has the authority to charge fees for the use of facilities. On January 1, 2003, the Commission authorized a $7 daily parking fee and a $70 annual parking pass, discounted to $5 per day and $50 per year until January 2008. Moneys collected from parking fees are deposited into the Parks Renewal and Stewardship Account and are used for state parks' operations, development, and renovations.

Summary:

The Commission is prohibited from charging a fee for parking or for general park access.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   94   2
Senate   40   5   (Senate amended)
House Refuses to Concur
Senate   43   4   (Senate amended)
House   96   2   (House concurred)

Effective: April 9, 2006