SB 5137 Complimentary Discover Pass for Disabled Veterans

[bigtex]

SB 5137 sponsored by Senators Hatfield, Pearson, Hobbs, Chase, Conway, Roach, McAuliffe, O'Ban, and Mullet would provide a complimentary Discover Pass to veterans with a 100% service connected disability.

Estimated loss of revenue to DNR, WDFW, and State Parks would be $21,000 a year.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?year=2015&bill=5137

[Ridgeratt]

Why should it just be Disabled Veterans? If you can show a DD214 your eligible. PERHAPS A WAY TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR SERVICE.. 

It would make more sense than this:

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,169150.0.html

But alas more folks are interested in the outcome of a football game than what happens to them in this state!!!

  

 

[timberfaller]

Its getting a little annoying of politicians looking for ways to "thank" volunteers who THEY put in harms way and apply "rules of engagement" that puts their very lives in danger!!

The "Discover Pass" needs to be eliminated anyways!   enough said about that!

Instead of worrying about giving them freebies, FIX the broken down VA!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

[Mark Brenckle]

Don't we already get a lifetime free discover pass?

[Ridgeratt]

Perhaps not!

Disability placards or license plates. The Department of Licensing issues Washington state disability permits and license plates, and holders of these are exempt from needing the Discover Pass on State Parks lands. Holders of these permits and plates will need the Discover Pass to access lands managed by WDFW and DNR



Besides the VA needs fixed at the Federal level. Have faith in the current administration.  He has a plan .

[hrd2fnd]

100% disabled IMHO is to high. The state already recognises those disabled veterans@ 30%  + for reduced licenses. If this state wants to show appreciation for us disabled servicemen and women then recognise all veterans period in offering the pass at no cost.

[hrd2fnd]

Perhaps not!

Disability placards or license plates. The Department of Licensing issues Washington state disability permits and license plates, and holders of these are exempt from needing the Discover Pass on State Parks lands. Holders of these permits and plates will need the Discover Pass to access lands managed by WDFW and DNR

received a very generous warning at a small lake thinking I was good 2 go.

[Boss .300 winmag]

 I said no, their are not that many vets who get 100% disability, should be a lower percentage or free for all vets IMHO. 

[hrd2fnd]

I said no for same reason

[Jarhead Chase]

The "Discover Pass" needs to be eliminated anyways!   enough said about that!

I said no for this very reason. WA seems to nickel and dime us every chance they get, but we get horrible land access and some ridiculous antler restrictions.

NC - Paid $30 for a resident tag when I was stationed there. It was good for 6 deer, 2 turkey, 2 hogs, and 2 bears
TX - Paid $305 for a non-resident tag. It was good for 4 deer (or six, I don't remember)
ID - Paid $55 for non-res VA disabled tag. Good for 1 deer - Hunter's choice of antlerless or antlered. Also the option to use that tag on a black bear or a wolf, and shoot up to 5 rabbits/day without another tag purchase while hunting.
WA - $44.90 for a deer tag + $30 for a discovery pass. It is good for one deer, and you have to deal with antler restrictions.

This is just how I see it, but I have a feeling I'm not alone on this one.

[trophyhunt]

Needs to be a lower percentage.  But I also think that pass needs to go away period.

[bigtex]

But I also think that pass needs to go away period.

The fact that we are a couple weeks into the legislative session and there are only two Discover Pass bills leads me to believe that legislators are basically getting accustomed to the pass. I don't think we will see it go away, if it would've gone away it would've happened by now. Every year we see less and less Discover Pass legislation.

[washelkhunter]

Hunters and fishers should be comped for the DP regardless of a disability.

[bearpaw]

Having served on the Parks & Recreation Task Force I can tell you that the Discover Pass was a top point of contention with the public at every meeting I attended. However, the fact remains that Parks must be funded in some manner and even though the Discover Pass falls short of funding Parks, the task force could not come up with an alternate source of revenue. So it seems we will continue to have the Discover Pass until a better source of revenue can be found if ever. Sorry for the bad news, I don't like it either!

I voted yes, I think we should do what we can to help our disabled vets, especially those with a 100% disability.

[Birdguy]

I agree the percentage should be lower. When my Dad was going through the process to determine his disability percentage the VA rep told us that in disability concerns the government math is funny. 10+10=19 and that in most cases 100% disabled meant deceased. That has been a lot of years so it may have changed but I still doubt there are many 100% disabled veterans that even get to enjoy the outdoors if they wanted to.