Discover Pass legislation passes House, on to governor

Legislation to charge for access to 119 state parks and millions of acres of state recreation land passed the House on Thursday and is headed to Gov. Chris Gregoire for signing.

House members voted 55-42 to require most state recreation site visitors to buy a $30 annual vehicle pass or a $10 single-day pass. Voting in favor were Democrats Jim Moeller and Sharon Wylie. Opposing the bill were Republicans Ed Orcutt, Ann Rivers and Paul Harris plus Democrat Tim Probst.

The state Senate passed the bill 33-14 on Wednesday. State Sen. Craig Pridemore, D-Vancouver voted for the bill while Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, voted no. State Sen. Joe Zarelli, R-Ridgefield, was absent.

“The Discover Pass is an important safety net to supplement recreation funding,” said Jonathan Guzzo, advocacy director of the Washington Trails Association. “These funds should not replace appropriated general fund dollars in times of state prosperity.”

Guzzo said hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers and others have stepped forward and asked for the pass to fund state recreation lands “out of their own pocketbooks.”

State parks will get 84 percent of the initial revenue with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and state Department of Natural Resources each getting 8 percent.

Washington currently charges a $5 vehicle registration fee to support state parks, but motorists may opt out.

Ann Larson, legislative liasion for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, said hunting and fishing license holders will not be charged for using agency lands and boat ramps.

Legislation to increase the price of hunting and fishing licenses has passed the state Senate by a 38 to 8 vote. Zarelli and Pridemore voted yes and Benton voted no. The House is expected to vote soon on the measure.