SB5390 raise discover pass fee

[Chris57]

You can check out a Discover pass from Sno Isle library for two weeks for free and if there isn't a hold they auto renew. My wife works for the library so it's real easy for me.

[Sitka_Blacktail]

Before I would raise the fee, I'd require the pass for anyone driving on the beaches. Let everyone feel the pain, not just hunters and fishermen.

My daughter got a ticket at point no point for no disco pass and she was just walking the beach

They do check

I think Sitka is referring to the coast, not just any beach. The coast (Beach) is officially known as the Seashore Conservation Area and is the only state land where a Discover Pass is not needed.

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Exactly

[Oldguy]

Thanks for the site to resond to the proposed bill. I add my self to those who will not pay for an inflated priced pass !

[timberfaller]

Was just informed the other day from our jeep club and PNW4WDA to contact our "Reps".  Vote no or vote to defer.  IF this gets passed, expect to lose access to a lot of areas, not only 4x4's but all groups who enjoy public lands.

I can't seem to copy and paste the DNR's page that explain what will happen, mainly the re-allocating of funds is what's going to happen.  Then user groups will lose their portion of funding. The DNR would actually want it deferred so they can get the user groups input, which hasn't really taken place.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=5390&Year=2025&Initiative=false

[Oldguy]

Sent my reps my feedback. If the bill passes I'll not buy another Discover Pass.

[duckmen1]

They raise the fees so high for regulated users. And charge so minimal in fines for not buying. So a user goes 3 trips to DNR before getting caught. He just saved money.

Sounds like our recent affairs. Cost more to poach eggs than a deer!!

[duckmen1]

Becoming very true these days.

[bigtex]

Was just informed the other day from our jeep club and PNW4WDA to contact our "Reps".  Vote no or vote to defer.  IF this gets passed, expect to lose access to a lot of areas, not only 4x4's but all groups who enjoy public lands.

I can't seem to copy and paste the DNR's page that explain what will happen, mainly the re-allocating of funds is what's going to happen.  Then user groups will lose their portion of funding. The DNR would actually want it deferred so they can get the user groups input, which hasn't really taken place.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=5390&Year=2025&Initiative=false

Please explain how increasing the price of the DP will cause loss of access.

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[HUNTIN4SIX]

Just more money for them to mismanage.  Wdfw is celebrating cause they get a cut.

[bigtex]

Just more money for them to mismanage.  Wdfw is celebrating cause they get a cut.

They've always gotten a portion of it.

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[timberfaller]

"DNR users will pay 50% more and experience reductions to services"  quote from DNR's web page on bill 5390.   Take it for what its worth.


From a email sent to me:

The Discover Pass was implemented 15 years ago to help fund Washington State Parks, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).  The current status is that funds are allocated as 84% to State Parks, 8% to DNR and 8% to WDFW up to $71M each biennium, and any money beyond that initial $71M is to be allocated as 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 to each of the three agencies.  Over the past 15 years, the price of the Discover Pass has not been increased despite accumulated inflation of 46%, and the shortfalls have been made-up by allocations from the General Fund.

However, we now have a new state administration under which these reallocations from the General Fund are no longer being made, thus the proposed 50% increase in Discover Pass pricing from the current $30 to $45 as proposed in ESSB 5390.  This was presented in the WA State Senate, which amended ESSB 5390 to also increase the $71M threshold to $100M for the transition to the 1/3-1/3-1/3 allocation.  This may affect the funding for DNR and WDFW. 

DNR is proposing that the change in allocation of funding for these agencies might be better addressed after engaging input from the stakeholders, including State Parks, DNR, WDFW, and recreation users such as hikers, mountain bikers, 4x4, ATV, motorcycle, snowmobile and equestrian communities.  They propose consideration to defer action on this legislation until the next legislative session to incorporate this input.

[HUNTIN4SIX]

Just more money for them to mismanage.  Wdfw is celebrating cause they get a cut.

They've always gotten a portion of it.

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I know I spent 25 years with the outfit.  I was there when it was originally enacted. It definitely pulled a few agencies out of a pickle.
I also participated in the mismanagement part.  Spend it or lose it.  Lotsa stories I could tell.