HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 6670

As Reported by House Committee On:

Housing, Community Development & Veterans

Title: An act relating to encouraging access to state parks through cooperative programs with libraries.

Brief Description: Encouraging access to state parks through cooperative programs with libraries.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks (originally sponsored by Senators Billig, Van De Wege, Salomon, Schoesler, Conway and Saldaña).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Housing, Community Development & Veterans: 2/21/20, 2/25/20 [DP].

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Ryu, Chair; Morgan, Vice Chair; Jenkin, Ranking Minority Member; Gildon, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Frame, Johnson, J., Leavitt and Ramel.

Staff: Serena Dolly (786-7150).

Background:

The Discover Pass is an annual pass that allows a vehicle to access state recreation lands owned by the State Parks and Recreation Commission (State Parks), the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Natural Resources. The cost of a Discover Pass is $30. The annual Discover Pass is transferrable between two vehicles. 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 Discover Pass or day-use permit must be visibly displayed on any motor vehicle accessing state recreational sites or lands. Each Discover Pass has space to list up to two motor vehicle license plate numbers, and to be valid, the license plate on the motor vehicle must match one of the two numbers written on the Discover Pass.

Statutory authority exists for a Family Discover Pass that is fully transferable among vehicles and does not require the placement of a license plate number on the pass to be valid. The cost of a Family Discover Pass must be no more than $50. The Family Discover Pass has not been offered to the public for purchase.

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Summary of Bill:

State Parks must provide at least two Discover Passes, once each calendar year, to any library that submits a request. State Parks is not required to replace any Discover Pass that is lost or not returned. State Parks should prioritize the distribution of any additional Discover Passes to libraries that also check out outdoor equipment, such as backpacks, binoculars, field guides, and other equipment that will enhance the patron's outdoor experience.

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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) State Parks has partnered with libraries on a pilot program to provide library patrons with Discover Passes and outdoor equipment. This bill will increase access to all state recreation lands, not just those managed by State Parks. The Department of Natural Resources manages recreation sites statewide and supports expanding the current pilot program to all libraries. Several libraries have participated in the pilot and have raved about it. Other libraries would like to be able to participate.

(Opposed) None.

(Other) The Governor's budget did not provide funding for this bill. The original bill provided $35,000 in funding for this program, and that amount is expected to be included in the Senate budget proposal.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Leah Dobey, Department of Natural Resources; and Carolyn Logue, Washington Library Association.

(Other) Owen Rowe, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.