The bill aims to enhance access to state-owned recreational lands in Washington by adjusting the fees associated with the discover pass and day-use permits. The cost of the discover pass will increase from $30 to $45, with a provision for the Office of Financial Management to review and recommend future adjustments every four years to account for inflation. Additionally, the bill introduces a family discover pass that allows for transferability among vehicles without requiring a specific license plate number. It also mandates that the discover pass must accommodate three vehicle license plate numbers starting July 1, 2026, and provides complimentary passes for volunteers who contribute a specified number of hours to agency-sanctioned projects.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a new section that recognizes a lifetime disabled veteran pass as equivalent to a discover pass, provided the pass holder is present in the vehicle accessing the recreational site. It also modifies the distribution of revenues from the sale of discover passes and day-use permits, increasing the minimum revenue threshold for distribution to $100 million. The penalties for non-compliance with pass display requirements are adjusted, reducing the fine from $99 to $59 if proof of purchase is provided within 15 days. Overall, the bill seeks to ensure sustainable funding for recreational access while maintaining affordability for users.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 79A.80.020, 79A.80.030
Substitute Bill: 79A.80.020, 79A.80.090
Engrossed Substitute: 79A.80.020, 79A.80.090, 79A.80.080, 79A.05.065