SB 6293 Would Repeal the Mandatory Use of WDFW/Discover Pass on State Lands

[bigtex]

Senate Bill 6293 sponsored by Senators Braun, Tom, Angel, Hill, Parlette, and Bailey will be introduced this week. The bill, would eliminate the WDFW Pass and remove the requirement of the Discover Pass for state lands. The Discover Pass will be a voluntary pass and essentially serve as the donation collection program for DNR, Parks, and WDFW. These donations will be placed into the Recreation Pass Account which is where all Discover Pass sales and fine money goes to. This is the account which is split with DNR and WDFW each receiving 8% of the funds and Parks receiving 84%.

So the question is, where does the funding that is lost with this pass come from?

Under the bill a portion of the fees that are collected by county auditors and the secretary of state for things such as copies and reporting documents will move from being given to the state heritage center to the Recreation Pass Account.

The bill would take effect January 1, 2015 and no refunds will be issued for those that held a valid Discover Pass at that time.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=6293&year=2013

[Curly]

As much as I hate the Discover Pass, I think this Bill is wrong. 

I'd rather see a Bill that simply removed the need for the pass on DNR land except for parking at trailheads and DNR campgrounds.

[Curly]

Why eliminate the WDFW pass?  That is the main problem I have with this bill.  I like the fact that those people that use the boat ramps that are just there skiing or jetskiing or just boating have to pay something toward the facilities.  How is WDFW supposed to fund those facilities if they get rid of the WDFW pass?  They will likely increase the fishing/hunting license fees.

[JLS]

Why eliminate the WDFW pass?  That is the main problem I have with this bill.  I like the fact that those people that use the boat ramps that are just there skiing or jetskiing or just boating have to pay something toward the facilities.  How is WDFW supposed to fund those facilities if they get rid of the WDFW pass?  They will likely increase the fishing/hunting license fees.

 

[Special T]

I'm suspect as to the motive of this bill. I think it is a bad bill for the same reasons Curly has stated.  Our state is base on the premis that you should pay for the resources you use. So if I support the WDFW through hunting or fishing Lic then i should gain acess to the land, since that is the main thrust of WHY the WDFW owns land is acess. Using a boat launch, or maintained trail head is using a resource no matter the owner. Parking the truck on the side of the loggin road is NOT utilizing any resource, ESPECIALLY if its DNR land because thier emphesis is on making $ from timber sales

[buckfvr]

People should pay for improved facilities to include camp grounds, restrooms, trail heads, and boat ramps.............

I agree its the only way to make the majority of the users pay because not all are licensed to hunt and fish.

HOWEVER.........if you make people pay, we should not have to put up with over flowing, full to the seat crappers, or locked toilets,.........and run down hazardous boat ramps......and garbage in the fire pits.....I know they have started taking pics of messes left in campgrounds to go along with pics of vehicles parked in the same spots so they can send out tickets once they leave all their garbage, so lets keep things clean and respectable.

[trophyhunt]

I deeply hate the discover pass, revenue needs to come from somewhere but that pass should be free to hunters and fisherman. But they won't do that so, do away with the damn pass!

[pianoman9701]

Now, we're talkin'. 

[washelkhunter]

I think I'm ok with this bill since the DP is voluntary. All state lands are accessed by state owned roads payed for and maintained thru one of the highest state gas taxes in the nation; and which may soon be as much as $1 more per gallon  . We are being taxed 3 ways till sunday with the DP on top of the taxes to fund state parks which should be self sustaining and if not, sold off or privatized. I dont recall ever hearing about hunters calling for special trailheads, facilities or campgrounds on state lands. But I still maintain the purchasors of licenses to hunt and fish should get a free pass. Folding WDFW into the parks was a huge error.

[Special T]

IMO this is a back door attempt to do away with the WDFW pass that you get as a part of your lic fee. IF they take the cost away and the ability to get your WDFW they can come back and make EVERYONE pay including hunters for a pass... I'm a skeptic because i have very little trust for our representatives actually passing good law.

[bigtex]

The intent of the bill is to provide free access to public lands, this is why the WDFW pass is total repealed. And the Discover Pass is made from mandatory to voluntary.

[NoBark]

Sell Bertha, build an elevated roadway and give the rest of the money to parks.......

[CAMPMEAT]

People should pay for improved facilities to include camp grounds, restrooms, trail heads, and boat ramps.............

I agree its the only way to make the majority of the users pay because not all are licensed to hunt and fish.

HOWEVER.........if you make people pay, we should not have to put up with over flowing, full to the seat crappers, or locked toilets,.........and run down hazardous boat ramps......and garbage in the fire pits.....I know they have started taking pics of messes left in campgrounds to go along with pics of vehicles parked in the same spots so they can send out tickets once they leave all their garbage, so lets keep things clean and respectable.

..............and, not allowing ORV's into campgrounds in the Loomis areas by the manager of the WDFW out of Loomis.

[jstone]

I already pay around 250 for all of my tags and special permits I shoulnt have to buy that discovery pass all the hikers and people who camp should. We who already pay should just qet there bp with there lis.

[bigtex]

Senator Roach (R) has added her name as a sponsor of this bill.

[fireweed]

I think this bill has no chance, BUT I support the repeal of the DP and the WDFW pass for that matter.  I can see charging for FACILITIES, boat launches, campgrounds, events, rentals, even trailheads, but not general land access.  The whole system is wrong because--
--> enforcements, administration, and exemption carve-outs eat up too much of the DP money to start with.  Imagine the costs of FULL enforcement of the DP across the state.
--> Land access permits hurt tourism to Washington state.  Maybe for starters public campgrounds could charge the same hotel/motel tax that private campgrounds must, with that funding going to public facilities.
--> having to pay to access land hurts low income people most
-->paying for access keeps people indoors at a time when families need to get outdoors and exercise.
-->The "hassle factor" adds up for outdoor recreation and ultimately reduces participation across the board.

making the DP optional as a supporter, and still have the marketing angle with local businesses, may not bring in as much, but it would be better in the long run.

[bigtex]

I will say this, 1 or 2 WDFW Officer positions are completely funded by Discover Pass funding. So if the pass went away WDFW would essentially lose 1 or 2 Officer positions unless funding is given to them in some other way.  I don't know how many DNR Officers are paid by Discover Pass funds. I am not saying this to say the DP is a good program, but WDFW is getting money from it and if you were to just completely eliminate it there would be some repercussions.

[csaaphill]

Discovery pass was a farce most don't get it anyhows so ya repeal it!

[Duckwacker]

I've never bought one and never will.

[rasbo]

I will say this, 1 or 2 WDFW Officer positions are completely funded by Discover Pass funding. So if the pass went away WDFW would essentially lose 1 or 2 Officer positions unless funding is given to them in some other way.  I don't know how many DNR Officers are paid by Discover Pass funds. I am not saying this to say the DP is a good program, but WDFW is getting money from it and if you were to just completely eliminate it there would be some repercussions.

not really on topic but take those two positions that could be lost and put them on litter enforcement,and raise the fine for littering so high folks will pick it up..seems there is no place I can go that Im not picking up after someone...

[Humptulips]

IMO this is a back door attempt to do away with the WDFW pass that you get as a part of your lic fee. IF they take the cost away and the ability to get your WDFW they can come back and make EVERYONE pay including hunters for a pass... I'm a skeptic because i have very little trust for our representatives actually passing good law.

I also am smelling a rat. What is the point of a voluntary Discover Pass? Nobody will pay for one. Might as well do away with it unless you have plans to charge for it in the future and by then the WDFW Pass is history and everbody has to buy one.

I actually think the Discover Pass is a good idea. It just should only be required at improved facilities not general land access.

[bigtex]

IMO this is a back door attempt to do away with the WDFW pass that you get as a part of your lic fee. IF they take the cost away and the ability to get your WDFW they can come back and make EVERYONE pay including hunters for a pass... I'm a skeptic because i have very little trust for our representatives actually passing good law.

I also am smelling a rat. What is the point of a voluntary Discover Pass? Nobody will pay for one. Might as well do away with it unless you have plans to charge for it in the future and by then the WDFW Pass is history and everbody has to buy one.

Like I said, the Discover Pass will simply be the donation location for DNR, WDFW, and Parks. People donate cash to DNR, WDFW, and Parks, and if this bill passes this is essentially a route of donation.

If you've ever purchased a hunting/fishing license online you notice you can donate to youth hunting/fishing, this is very similar. You purchase a Discover Pass basically to show you donated to the agencies.

[bearpaw]

I voted yes, it's another tax voters did not approve.

Lay off a couple managers and we can afford the officers.

[buckfvr]

I will say this, 1 or 2 WDFW Officer positions are completely funded by Discover Pass funding. So if the pass went away WDFW would essentially lose 1 or 2 Officer positions unless funding is given to them in some other way.  I don't know how many DNR Officers are paid by Discover Pass funds. I am not saying this to say the DP is a good program, but WDFW is getting money from it and if you were to just completely eliminate it there would be some repercussions.

not really on topic but take those two positions that could be lost and put them on litter enforcement,and raise the fine for littering so high folks will pick it up..seems there is no place I can go that Im not picking up after someone...

That is to say once wdfw got the discover pass monies, they went out and bought two new wdfw officers.........really ??I hope thats not how they work, I mean really ??

[bigtex]

I will say this, 1 or 2 WDFW Officer positions are completely funded by Discover Pass funding. So if the pass went away WDFW would essentially lose 1 or 2 Officer positions unless funding is given to them in some other way.  I don't know how many DNR Officers are paid by Discover Pass funds. I am not saying this to say the DP is a good program, but WDFW is getting money from it and if you were to just completely eliminate it there would be some repercussions.

not really on topic but take those two positions that could be lost and put them on litter enforcement,and raise the fine for littering so high folks will pick it up..seems there is no place I can go that Im not picking up after someone...

That is to say once wdfw got the discover pass monies, they went out and bought two new wdfw officers.........really ??I hope thats not how they work, I mean really ??

That is how government funding works. For the state you almost always have to tie new positions/funding to a problem/task/etc. you don't just say "we want more money/officers because."

WDFW gets 8% of proceeds from the Discover Pass sales and fines. And yes those proceeds are going to fund one or two officers.

[Little Dave]

The pass should be voluntary.

Our leadership suffers the illusion that a fee or tax creates a stable revenue stream.  Instead, it causes disruption and uncertainty.  These taxes and fees interfere with other commerce (something wasn't purchased elsewhere, or the resource was not used and loses public interest).

Instead make the fee voluntary with tiered levels.  A true conservationist will pay the fee unless he is having a hard time making ends meet.  It gives the agency incentive to provide a higher quality service.  This is a charitable way we can share our public lands and perhaps work together to raise much more money than a tax or a fee.

Perhaps offer points or other non-cash benefits for higher tiered levels.

We are a nation of volunteers, with an all volunteer military.  We were formed from people that were upset with excess tax and fees.  Keep the country moving in the right direction.