Brief Description: Regarding funding of state parks.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Kessler, B. Sullivan, Kenney, Chase and Hunt).

House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources
House Committee on Appropriations
Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation
Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:

The State Parks Renewal and Stewardship Account.

All receipts from user fees, concessions, leases, and other state park-based activities are deposited into the State Parks Renewal and Stewardship Account (Account). Expenditures from the Account are used for operating state parks, developing and renovating park facilities, undertaking deferred maintenance, enhancing park stewardship, and other state park purposes. Expenditures from the Account may be made only after appropriation by the Legislature.

License Fees.

A $30 license tab fee is required per year for motor vehicles, regardless of year, value, make, or model. The motor vehicles subject to the $30 fee include cars, sport utility vehicles, motorcycles, and motor homes.

Trucks, motor trucks, truck tractors, road tractors, tractors, buses, auto stages, and for-hire vehicles with a seating capacity of more than six also are subject to an annual license fee based on the weight of the vehicle. Vehicles with a declared gross weight of 10,000 pounds or less are subject to an annual license fee between $40 and $62, depending on their weight.

Capitol Campus.

The Department of General Administration (GA) is responsible for the stewardship, preservation, operation, and maintenance of the state capitol public and historic facilities subject to the policy direction of the State Capitol Committee. The GA is charged with providing the proper care, heating, lighting, and repair of the buildings on the state capitol grounds. The mission of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Parks Commission) is to acquire, operate, enhance, and protect a diverse system of recreational, cultural, historical, and natural sites which include 120 developed parks and recreation programs. The Parks Commission is governed by a board of seven volunteer citizens appointed by the Governor.

Summary:

Volunteer Parks Donation.

The Department of Licensing (DOL) will provide an opportunity to donate an additional $5 at a vehicle's initial registration or renewal. The fee will be deposited into the State Parks Renewal and Stewardship Account to be used for the operation and maintenance of state parks. The DOL will begin collecting the donations on registrations due on or after January 1, 2008.

Capitol Campus Task Force.

The Director of GA and the Parks Commission will convene a task force composed of legislative representatives, gubernatorial representatives, representatives from the Supreme Court, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development, an Olympia city official, and two citizens of Washington to develop recommendations relating to the management of the capitol campus, tourism, visitor services, and educational opportunities at the capitol campus. The task force will report back to the Legislature by November 1, 2007. The report will include recommendations for: the best management structure for the capitol campus; how to promote tourism to the capitol campus; how to enrich the educational experience offered for visitors to the capitol campus; how to promote the architecture, horticulture, and art of the capitol campus; how to increase interagency coordination regarding management of the capitol campus area; and how to increase volunteer opportunities at the capitol campus.
The task force expires July 1, 2008.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   94   3
Senate   45   0   (Senate amended)
House   91   4   (House concurred)

Effective: July 22, 2007

Partial Veto Summary: The Governor vetoed Section 3 that establishes a capitol campus tourism advisory task force.