BILL REQ. #:  S-3416.2 

Read first time 02/06/12.   Referred to Committee on Energy, Natural Resources & Marine Waters.

     AN ACT Relating to the discover pass program; amending RCW 79A.80.020, 79A.80.040, 79A.80.090, and 79A.05.215; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

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)(a) 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.
     (b) If the discover pass is made available for sale at a state park, the park manager may, at the park manager's discretion, impose a surcharge of five dollars in addition to the fee specified in subsection (2) of this section on all discover passes sold at that park. The state parks and recreation commission shall maintain a record of surcharge proceeds collected by a park.
     (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 discover pass or vehicle access pass issued prior to the effective date of this section.
     (2) Each discover pass or vehicle access pass issued 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, the terms "discover pass" and "vehicle access pass" have the same meanings as provided under RCW 79A.80.010.

Sec. 4   RCW 79A.80.090 and 2011 c 320 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The recreation access pass account is created in the state treasury. Except for moneys received under RCW 79A.80.020(6)(b), all moneys received from the sale of discover passes and day-use permits must be deposited into the account.
     (2) Each fiscal biennium, the first seventy-one million dollars in revenue must be distributed to the agencies in the following manner:
     (a) Eight percent to the department of fish and wildlife and deposited into the state wildlife account created in RCW 77.12.170;
     (b) Eight percent to the department of natural resources and deposited into the park land trust revolving fund created in RCW 43.30.385; and
     (c) Eighty-four percent to the state parks and recreation commission and deposited into the state parks renewal and stewardship account created in RCW 79A.05.215.
     (3) Each fiscal biennium, revenues in excess of seventy-one million dollars must be distributed equally among the agencies to the accounts identified in subsection (2) of this section.
     (4) All moneys received under RCW 79A.80.020(6)(b) must be deposited in the state parks renewal and stewardship account created in RCW 79A.05.215.

Sec. 5   RCW 79A.05.215 and 2011 c 320 s 22 are each amended to read as follows:
     The state parks renewal and stewardship account is created in the state treasury. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, all receipts from user fees, concessions, leases, donations collected under RCW 46.16A.090(3), and other state park-based activities shall be deposited into the account. The proceeds from the recreation access pass account created in RCW 79A.80.090 must be used for the purpose of operating and maintaining state parks. Any proceeds received under RCW 79A.80.020(6)(b) must be used for the purpose of operating and maintaining the state park from which the proceeds were collected. Expenditures from the account may be 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.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   Sections 1 through 3 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and take effect immediately.