SB5998 - A Discover Pass bill worthy of support

A Discover Pass bill worthy of support!

This bill is similar to SB5977, SB5985 and HB2153 in that it allows Discover Pass transferability between two vehicles.

The primary difference is it also limits the Discover Pass requirements on DNR managed public land to developed areas such as campgrounds, trails, trailheads and associated parking lots.

See link:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5998&year=2011

The additional benefit would primarily be for the sort of guy that is just out on DNR managed public land cruising the roads and not using trails or campgrounds.

It would also keep the DNR from setting up roadside D-pass enforcement checkpoints.

SB5998 gets a hearing before the Senate Energy Natural Resources and Marine Waters Committee on Thursday 2-Feb-2012.

Please contact the committee members and let them know that this is a good bill to pass.

Their email addresses:

Ranker.Kevin@leg.wa.gov
Delvin.jerome@leg.wa.gov
Regala.Debbie@leg.wa.gov
Morton.Bob@leg.wa.gov
Fraser.Karen@leg.wa.gov
Hargrove.James@leg.wa.gov
Murray.ed@leg.wa.gov
Stevens.Val@leg.wa.gov
Swecker.Dan@leg.wa.gov


Example email below, use it or much better, modify it to make it your own.

Happy trails,
Tod

++++++++++++


Dear Senator xxx,

I am writing you today concerning Discover Pass bill SB5998.
This bill will be before the Senate Energy, Natural Resources and Marine Waters Committee on Thursday.

In addition to the transferability proposed by other bills, this one would add an additional element of fairness lacking in the current law.

SB5998 would limit the pass requirement on Washington State Department of Natural Resources managed public land to developed recreation sites such as campgrounds, trailheads and trails.

This is only fair and in keeping with the intent of the Discover Pass. The people that use the facilities funded by the pass would have to pay and the people that do not would not have to pay.

The current situation where people that merely drive on a DNR managed forest road are expected to pay for a service that they are not using is not fair and SB5998 would fix that inequity.

Please vote yes on SB5998.

OLYMPIA, Wash. - The Washington state Legislature has passed a bill allowing one Discover Pass to be shared among two vehicles.
House
Bill 2373 passed the House on Wednesday by a vote of 60-37, with most
Republicans voting in opposition. Having earlier passed the Senate, it
goes next to the governor.
The Discover Pass is a $30 annual state
parks parking pass created by the Legislature last year to raise funds
to keep parks open. Bill supporters say allowing two cars per pass will
make it more affordable and may encourage more people to buy it.




























Opponents objected to a provision in the bill expanding an
optional $5 vehicle registration fee to mopeds, off-road vehicles, buses
and trucks, saying the fee's opt-out nature may fool people into
contributing the money against their wishes.



Read more here: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/03/07/2426729/2-cars-per-discover-pass-bill.html#storylink=cpy

This bill will also allow the DNR and State Parks to charge a fee to organizations putting on events that would exempt event participants from having d-passes.

There is also language for a $50 pass with much wider transferability, but still only one vehicle at a time covered.