First Discover/WDFW Pass Bill of 2014: HB 2156 Waiving Penalties

[bigtex]

The legislature doesn't go into session until next week but legislators have been able to "prefile" bills since December. All bills that were filed in 2013 are still active in 2014.

HB 2156 introduced by Representatives Lytton (D) and Magendanz (R) would "waive" the penalty for failing to display the WDFW/Discover Pass if you can prove you owned a WDFW/Discover Pass at the time of the violation. While the penalty would be waived, you would still be required to pay court administrative costs not exceeding $25.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=2156&year=2013

[Special T]

Well thats an improvement, but look at all the extra work required for a pass system that doesn't raise the ammount of $ it was supposed to. 

[bobcat]

I can't agree with that change. What if I "own" a Discover Pass but my wife is using it on her car at the state park, while I'm out hunting on DNR land? The pass is only valid for one vehicle at a time, so if I don't have a pass in my vehicle at the time I am in violation and deserve a ticket. Proving that I have a Discover pass proves nothing.

Bad law.

[bigtex]

I can't agree with that change. What if I "own" a Discover Pass but my wife is using it on her car at the state park, while I'm out hunting on DNR land? The pass is only valid for one vehicle at a time, so if I don't have a pass in my vehicle at the time I am in violation and deserve a ticket. Proving that I have a Discover pass proves nothing.

Bad law.

That brings up a very valid point

[Fl0und3rz]

I can't agree with that change. What if I "own" a Discover Pass but my wife is using it on her car at the state park, while I'm out hunting on DNR land? The pass is only valid for one vehicle at a time, so if I don't have a pass in my vehicle at the time I am in violation and deserve a ticket. Proving that I have a Discover pass proves nothing.

Bad law.

That brings up a very valid point

Valid point, but I'd rather a few people that knowingly skirt the law go free (less $25) than have ridiculously high penalties for a minor oversight. In that sense, it is a step in the right direction.

[BOWHUNTER45]

I guess that may mean something to some people ..but I do not agree with any of it ..especially the discover pass ....I think I pay enough taxes in this state .. Just my 

[huntnphool]

I see the same group of women several days in a row each year walk their dogs from their houses, about a mile up a BLM road, go through a gate into DNR that is clearly posted Discover Pass Required, and continue on their little hike loop back to their houses. I'd be willing to bet not a one has a discover pass.

[Elkaholic daWg]

I see the same group of women several days in a row each year walk their dogs from their houses, about a mile up a BLM road, go through a gate into DNR that is clearly posted Discover Pass Required, and continue on their little hike loop back to their houses. I'd be willing to bet not a one has a discover pass.

 I see no mention of a vehicle............. But


I have a question......How many on here have ever been cited for no DP? As compared to those in DP required areas seeing vehicles that should have been and weren't?


 My bet is #2 is a much larger segment

[Skyvalhunter]

good for them too, if their a walking who cares

[blackveltbowhunter]

  I thought it was for vehicle use 

[bigtex]

I see the same group of women several days in a row each year walk their dogs from their houses, about a mile up a BLM road, go through a gate into DNR that is clearly posted Discover Pass Required, and continue on their little hike loop back to their houses. I'd be willing to bet not a one has a discover pass.

That's not a violation. In order for a violation to occur a vehicle must be parked on state land (and in some cases be operated on state lands). If they leave their vehicle at home then they don't need a pass.

[Curly]

I can't agree with that change. What if I "own" a Discover Pass but my wife is using it on her car at the state park, while I'm out hunting on DNR land? The pass is only valid for one vehicle at a time, so if I don't have a pass in my vehicle at the time I am in violation and deserve a ticket. Proving that I have a Discover pass proves nothing.

Bad law.

It would still be a good change.

For your purposes, you and your wife really need separate passes.  Then with the proposed change, if one of you forgets to display your passes, then you can get a reduced fine by proving you have the pass.  I find it a good proposed change.................(though I'd rather have other changes).

[bobcat]

The law needs to require that the pass be displayed. There are lots of reasons a person could have purchased a pass and still not be legal for the vehicle that is being driven at the time.

Here's another example. Say I have a discover pass and have written the license plate numbers of two vehicles on it. I then end up selling one of those vehicles and buying a new one. I now need to purchase a second Discover pass for the new car, since each pass you buy can only be used on two vehicles. But what if I don't?

With this proposed change, I only have to show proof of purchasing the pass. If I had actually displayed the old pass while on state land in my new car, I would be given the maximum penalty. However if I drove the new car on state land with my invalid pass (because it doesn't have the license plate number of the new car on it) then I would not have to pay the fine.

That's simply not fair. This is a really dumb idea. I can think of better ways to improve it. This would only make it worse.

[bigtex]

It is already written into law that if you can prove you did have the pass or you purchased the pass within 15 days of violation that you can face a reduced fine.

This bill would essentially say if you had already purchased the pass before the violation date then you would not face a reduced fine but rather just the court admin costs.

[igotbigbulls]

I see the same group of women several days in a row each year walk their dogs from their houses, about a mile up a BLM road, go through a gate into DNR that is clearly posted Discover Pass Required, and continue on their little hike loop back to their houses. I'd be willing to bet not a one has a discover pass.

are they required to? just curious.