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

[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.