HOUSE 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. |
As Passed Legislature
Title: An act relating to reducing the amount of permits required for recreation at a sno-park.
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).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Housing, Community Development & Veterans: 2/19/19, 2/22/19 [DPS].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/7/19, 97-0.
Senate Amended.
Passed Senate: 4/11/19, 46-0.
House Concurred.
Passed House: 4/18/19, 94-0.
Passed Legislature.
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HOUSING, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & VETERANS |
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Ryu, Chair; Morgan, Vice Chair; Jenkin, Ranking Minority Member; Gildon, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Barkis, Entenman, Frame, Leavitt and Reeves.
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, 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 between November 1 and March 31. 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 Substitute Bill:
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."
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill fixes a top complaint by park users, as there is confusion and frustration about the need to display two permits at some Sno-Parks. The bill should be clarified to allow access with only a Sno-Park permit, not a Discover Pass.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Corry, prime sponsor; and Owen Rowe, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.