BILL REQ. #:  S-3262.2 

Read first time 12/14/11.   Referred to Committee on Energy, Natural Resources & Marine Waters.

     AN ACT Relating to the discover pass; amending RCW 79A.80.020, 79A.80.040, 79A.80.080, and 79A.80.010; and creating a new section.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 79A.80.020 and 2011 c 320 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A discover pass is required for any motor vehicle to park or operate on any recreation site or lands, except for short-term parking as may be authorized under RCW 79A.80.070.
     (2) The cost of the discover pass is thirty dollars ((per motor vehicle)). Every four years the office of financial management must review the cost of the discover pass and, if necessary, recommend to the legislature an adjustment to the cost of the discover pass to account for inflation.
     (3) The discover pass is valid for one year from the date of issuance.
     (4) The discover pass must be made available for purchase throughout the year through the department of fish and wildlife's automated licensing system consistent with RCW 77.32.050.
     (5) The discover pass must be made available for purchase through the department of licensing as provided in RCW 46.16A.090. The department of licensing, county auditor, or other agent or subagent appointed by the director, is not responsible for delivering a purchased discover pass to a motor vehicle owner. The agencies must deliver the purchased discover pass to a motor vehicle owner.
     (6) The state parks and recreation commission may make the discover pass available for purchase through its reservation system and other outlets authorized by law to sell licenses, permits, or passes.
     (7) The discover pass must contain space for ((the)) two motor vehicle license plate numbers. A discover pass is valid only for those vehicle license plate numbers written on the pass.
     (8) A complimentary discover pass must be provided to a volunteer who performed twenty-four hours of service on agency-sanctioned volunteer projects in a year. The agency must provide vouchers to volunteers identifying the number of volunteer hours they have provided for each project. The vouchers may be brought to an agency to be redeemed for a discover pass.

Sec. 2   RCW 79A.80.040 and 2011 c 320 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The vehicle access pass is created solely for access to the department of fish and wildlife recreation sites or lands. The vehicle access pass is only available to a person who purchases a current valid: Big game hunting license issued under RCW 77.32.450; small game hunting license issued under RCW 77.32.460; western Washington pheasant permit issued under RCW 77.32.575; trapping license issued under RCW 77.65.450; watchable wildlife decal issued under RCW 77.32.560; or combination, saltwater, or freshwater personal use fishing license issued under RCW 77.32.470.
     (2) One vehicle access pass must be issued per purchase pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.
     (3) The vehicle access pass is valid for the license year of the license it is purchased with.
     (4) The vehicle access pass must contain space for two motor vehicle license plate numbers. A vehicle access pass is only valid for those vehicle license plate numbers written on the pass.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) A state agency may not refund money for a pass or permit purchased prior to the effective date of this section.
     (2) Each pass or permit purchased prior to the effective date of this section is valid for two license plate numbers written on the pass.
     (3) For the purposes of this section, "pass or permit" refers to the passes and permits defined in RCW 79A.80.010.

Sec. 4   RCW 79A.80.080 and 2011 c 320 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) ((The)) A valid discover pass, ((the)) vehicle access pass, or ((the)) day-use permit must be visibly displayed in the front windshield of any motor vehicle:
     (a) Operating on a recreation site or lands; or
     (b) Parking at a recreation site or lands.
     (2) The discover pass, the vehicle access pass, or the day-use permit is not required on private lands, state-owned aquatic lands other than water access areas, or at agency offices, hatcheries, or other facilities where public business is conducted.
     (3)(a) The discover pass, the vehicle access pass, or the day-use permit is not required for persons who use, possess, or enter lands owned or managed by the agencies for purposes consistent with a written authorization from the agency, including but not limited to leases, contracts, and easements.
     (b) The discover pass or the day-use permit is not required on department of fish and wildlife lands for persons possessing a current vehicle access pass pursuant to RCW 79A.80.040.
     (4) Failure to comply with subsection (1) of this section is a natural resource infraction under chapter 7.84 RCW. An agency is authorized to issue a notice of infraction to any person who fails to comply with subsection (1)(a) of this section or to any motor vehicle that fails to comply with subsection (1)(b) of this section.
     (5) The penalty for failure to comply with the requirements of this section is ninety-nine dollars. This penalty is reduced to fifty-nine dollars if an individual provides proof of purchase of the discover pass to the court within fifteen days after the issuance of the notice of violation.

Sec. 5   RCW 79A.80.010 and 2011 c 320 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "Agency" or "agencies" means the department of fish and wildlife, the department of natural resources, and the parks and recreation commission.
     (2) "Annual natural investment permit" means the annual permit issued by the parks and recreation commission for the purpose of launching boats from the designated state parks boat launch sites.
     (3) "Camper registration" means proof of payment of a camping fee on recreational lands managed by the parks and recreation commission.
     (4) "Day-use permit" means the permit created in RCW 79A.80.030.
     (5) "Discover pass" means the annual pass created in RCW 79A.80.020.
     (6) "Motor vehicle" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 46.04.320 and which are required to be registered under chapter 46.16A RCW. "Motor vehicle" does not include those motor vehicles exempt from registration under RCW 46.16A.080 and state and publicly owned motor vehicles as provided in RCW 46.16A.170.
     (7) "Recreation site or lands" means:
     (a) A state park; ((or))
     (b) Fish and wildlife conservation sites including water access areas, boat ramps, wildlife areas, parking areas, roads, and trailheads((,)); or
     (c) Department of natural resources developed ((or designated)) recreation ((areas,)) sites, including campgrounds, trails and trailheads, and the associated parking areas.
     (8) "Sno-park seasonal permit" means the seasonal permit issued by the parks and recreation commission for providing access to winter recreational facilities for the period of November 1st through March 31st.
     (9) "Vehicle access pass" means the pass created in RCW 79A.80.040.