FINAL BILL REPORT
SHB 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. |
C 175 L 19
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Reducing the amount of permits required for recreation at a sno-park.
Sponsors: House Committee on Housing, Community Development & Veterans (originally sponsored by Representatives Corry, Fitzgibbon, Hoff, Harris, Griffey, McCaslin, Springer, Steele and Graham).
House Committee on Housing, Community Development & Veterans
Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks
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, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. 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.
The 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 winter months, 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:
From November 1 through March 31, a Discover Pass is not required for vehicles displaying a valid "Sno-Park permit" instead of a valid "Sno-Park seasonal permit." The definition of "Sno-Park seasonal permit" is amended to remove "seasonal."
Votes on Final Passage:
House | 97 | 0 | |
Senate | 46 | 0 | (Senate amended) |
House | 94 | 0 | (House concurred) |
Effective: | July 28, 2019 |