Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Housing, Community Development & Veterans Committee |
HB 1953
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: Reducing the amount of permits required for recreation at a sno-park.
Sponsors: Representatives Corry, Fitzgibbon, Hoff, Harris, Griffey, McCaslin, Springer, Steele and Graham.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/19/19
Staff: Serena Dolly (786-7150).
Background:
Discover Pass and Day-Use Permits.
The Discover Pass establishes a user fee for motor vehicle access to recreational areas managed by the State Parks and Recreation Commission (State Parks), the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW). A Discover Pass costs $30 per year, while a day-use permit costs $10 per day. The penalty for a failure to comply with the Discover Pass or day-use permit requirements is $99, although a person that presents a court with proof of the purchase of a Discover Pass within 15 days of the violation must have their penalty reduced to $59.
Sno-Park Permits.
State Parks operates more than 120 Sno-Parks, which are parking lots cleared of snow. Sno-Parks provide access to land available for snowmobiling, tubing, cross-country skiing, and general snow play.
During the winter months of November through March, a daily or seasonal Sno-Park permit must be displayed on motor vehicles parked at a Sno-Park. A seasonal Sno-Park permit costs $40, and a daily Sno-Park permit costs $20. Persons with a seasonal Sno-Park permit do not need to display a Discover Pass. At some locations, persons with a daily Sno-Park permit must also display a day-use or annual Discover Pass. The penalty for a failure to comply with a Sno-Park permit requirement is $73.
Summary of Bill:
A vehicle displaying a Discover Pass day-use permit is not required to display a daily or seasonal Sno-Park permit.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 13, 2019.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.