Washington: Hearing Scheduled for Proposed Improvements to the Discover Pass

In our alert last year, we reported about the new Discover Pass that is now required when accessing certain public lands in Washington by motor vehicle.  House Bill 2217, sponsored by state Representatives Christopher Hurst (D-31), Cathy Dahlquist (R-31) and Dan Kristiansen (R-39), would make necessary improvements to the taxing Discover Pass. To learn what areas of land the pass is now required for access, please see this excerpt from the Discover Pass’ website:  

The pass allows access to state recreation lands and water access sites managed by Washington State Parks (State Parks), Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR).  These lands include state parks, water access points, heritage sites, wildlife and natural areas, trails and trailheads.  The Discover Pass will be needed to access DNR’s developed or designated recreation areas, sites, trailheads and parking areas. 

HB 2217 would allow the annual pass and day-use pass to be transferable among vehicles registered at the same address as current law restricts each pass to one vehicle/license plate only.  Additionally, it would prohibit the collection of dealer fees for the issuance of a Discover Pass (the current dealer fee is $2.00).   

HB 2217 will be heard in the state House Committee on General Government Appropriations & Oversight at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 26^th, in Hearing Room C of the John L. O’Brien Building in Olympia.  Please contact members of the House Committee on General Government Appropriations & Oversight TODAY and respectfully urge them to support HB 2217.  Also, please leave your state Representative a short message on the toll-free hotline at 1-800-562-6000 and request their support.  To determine your state Representative, please click here.  The contact information for the members of the Committee on General Government Appropriations & Oversight has been provided for you below: 

Representative Zack Hudgins (D-11), Chairman
(360) 786-7956
[email protected]  

Representative Mark Miloscia (D-30), Vice Chairman
(360) 786-7898
[email protected]  

Representative Luis Moscoso (D-1), Vice Chairman
(360) 786-7900
[email protected] 

Representative Jim McCune (R-2)
(360) 786-7824
[email protected]  

Representative David Taylor (R-15)
(360) 786-7874
[email protected]  

Representative John Ahern (R-6)
(360) 786-7962
[email protected]  

Representative Mike Armstrong (R-12)
(360) 786-7832
[email protected]  

Representative Brian Blake (D-19)
(360) 786-7870
[email protected] 

Representative Joe Fitzgibbon (D-34)
(360) 786-7952
[email protected]  

Representative Connie Ladenburg (D-29)
(360) 786-7906
[email protected] 

Representative Jamie Pedersen (D-43)
(360) 786-7826
[email protected]  

Representative Kevin Van De Wege (D-24)
(360) 786-7916
[email protected]  

Representative J.T. Wilcox (R-2)
(360) 786-7912
[email protected]