Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Environment Committee |
SB 5200
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Allowing spouses to combine volunteer hours for purposes of receiving a complimentary discover pass.
Sponsors: Senators Becker, Warnick, Fain, Bailey, Brown, Hasegawa and Rolfes.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 3/20/17
Staff: Jacob Lipson (786-7196).
Background:
The Discover Pass is an annual pass that allows a motor vehicle to park or operate on state recreation lands managed by the State Parks and Recreation Commission (State Parks), the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). A Discover Pass contains spaces for two motor vehicle license plate numbers.
The cost of a Discover Pass is $30. The cost of a day-use permit, which serves the same function as the annual pass but is only valid for one calendar day, is $10. A vehicle access pass is a pass issued during the purchase of a qualifying hunting or fishing license by the DFW. A vehicle access pass may be displayed instead of a Discover Pass or day-use permit on DFW recreation lands. A number of exemptions exist to Discover Pass, vehicle access pass, or day-use permit display requirements, including for vehicles camping in a state park or driving on roads operated by the DNR or the DFW.
One complementary Discover Pass must be provided to a volunteer that performs 24 hours of service in a year on volunteer projects sanctioned by the DNR, the DFW, or State Parks. Agencies must provide volunteers with vouchers identifying their volunteer hours for each project. Vouchers are redeemable for a Discover Pass when provided to the DNR, the DFW, or State Parks.
Summary of Bill:
Married spouses may obtain a complimentary Discover Pass in exchange for the collective performance of 24 hours of service on volunteer projects sanctioned by the DNR, State Parks, or the DFW.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.