HB 1914
In CommitteeHouse
Discover pass, day-use cost
Updating the cost of the discover pass and day-use permits.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill raises the price of the Discover Pass and day-use permits to keep pace with rising costs of maintaining state parks and recreation lands. The Discover Pass increases from $30 to $45, and day-use permits rise from $10 to $15 per day, effective July 1, 2025. It also adds a new family pass option and keeps free passes available for dedicated volunteers.
- Increases the cost of the Discover Pass from $30 to $45 for motor vehicles accessing state recreation lands.
- Increases the cost of day-use permits from $10 to $15 per day for those who prefer daily access over an annual pass.
- Introduces a new family Discover Pass option—fully transferable across vehicles, priced at $50 or less—to better serve households with multiple vehicles.
- Maintains the current free pass for volunteers who complete 24+ hours of state-organized service per year (or 24 combined hours for married couples).
- Requires the Office of Financial Management to review and recommend adjustments to both pass prices every four years to account for inflation.
Who is affected
- State park and recreation site visitors — Residents and visitors who drive motor vehicles to state parks or other state-managed recreation sites will pay more for access; the standard pass now costs $45 instead of $30, and day-use permits rise from $10 to $15 per day.
- State park volunteers — Volunteers who contribute 24+ hours to state-organized projects (or married couples combining hours) can still get a free pass, preserving access for those who give back to the parks.
- Families and multi-vehicle households — Families who frequently switch vehicles may benefit from the new family pass option, which allows use across multiple vehicles without listing license plates—available for up to $50.
- State agencies managing recreation lands — State agencies (e.g., Washington State Parks, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Fish and Wildlife) will collect increased revenue to help cover rising operational and maintenance costs for recreation sites.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
The free pass for volunteers who contribute 24+ hours of service incentivizes community stewardship and helps maintain park safety and cleanliness through volunteer labor, which benefits all park users by supporting safer, cleaner, and better-maintained facilities.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(6)(a)-(b)The new family pass option—fully transferable across vehicles—improves convenience for multi-vehicle households, potentially increasing park visitation and supporting local businesses near parks (e.g., gas stations, restaurants, retail) that benefit from increased traffic.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(5)By indexing pass prices to inflation every four years, the bill helps ensure stable, predictable funding for park maintenance and conservation efforts—critical for preserving natural resources, protecting wildlife habitats, and managing wildfire risks on state lands.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2) & Sec. 3(3)The increased revenue ($20M annually) will directly support park infrastructure maintenance—including restrooms, trails, fire suppression systems, and emergency access—which enhances public safety for all users, especially during high-risk seasons or emergencies.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1 (Findings) & Sec. 2(2)By ensuring sustainable funding for state parks, the bill supports outdoor education programs, field trips, and environmental learning opportunities for K–12 and university students—many of which rely on affordable or subsidized park access.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 1 (Findings)
Potential Concerns (5)
The Discover Pass increase from $30 to $45 (a 50% rise) and day-use permits from $10 to $15 (a 50% rise) impose a direct cost burden on everyday park users, especially low- and middle-income households who rely on state parks for affordable recreation. This effectively functions as a regressive user fee, as lower-income residents are more likely to use public parks and less likely to have alternative recreational options. The bill acknowledges rising costs but does not offset the burden with targeted assistance for vulnerable populations.
FinancialIndustryRef: Sec. 2(2)The new family pass option (priced at ≤$50) appears accessible but still requires a $50 upfront payment—more than double the current $30 pass—and does not include income-based eligibility or sliding-scale pricing. Households with multiple vehicles may benefit relative to buying multiple standard passes, but this advantage is limited to those who can afford the upfront cost and drive frequently; lower-income families or those with infrequent park visits gain little or may be worse off.
FinancialIndustryRef: Sec. 2(5)While free passes remain available for volunteers completing 24+ hours of service, the requirement to complete volunteer hours to retain access effectively ties public land access to unpaid labor—disadvantaging people with limited time (e.g., single parents, low-wage workers, people with disabilities) who cannot afford to donate labor to maintain access rights they already helped fund through taxes and fees.
Rights & LibertiesIndustryRef: Sec. 2(6)(a)-(b)Higher access fees may reduce park visitation, especially among youth, seniors, and low-income residents, potentially weakening community stewardship and informal surveillance of park areas—factors that contribute to park safety and reduced vandalism or crime. Reduced foot traffic could also diminish public awareness of park hazards or emergencies.
Public SafetyLean industryRef: Sec. 2(2) & Sec. 3(1)While the bill generates $20M annually for state agencies, it does not allocate funds to local governments or municipalities that operate or co-manage local parks and trails—many of which also face budget constraints and may see reduced local participation as state park fees rise. This could strain local recreation budgets as residents opt for cheaper or free local alternatives.
Local GovernmentLean industryRef: Sec. 2(2) & Sec. 3(3)
Who Is Most Affected
Low- and middle-income households face a direct financial burden from the 50% pass price increase; they are less likely to offset costs through volunteer hours or frequent visits, reducing their ability to afford recreation.
Volunteers who meet the 24-hour threshold retain free access, but the requirement to donate labor to maintain access privileges may exclude those with time constraints (e.g., caregivers, part-time workers), creating inequity in access.
Families with multiple vehicles benefit from the transferable family pass, but only if they visit parks frequently enough to justify the $50 cost—advantageous for middle- to upper-income households, less so for lower-income ones.
State agencies gain predictable, inflation-adjusted funding to maintain infrastructure and safety, but may face backlash from users who perceive the hikes as excessive or poorly timed—potentially eroding public trust.
Local businesses near parks may see increased visitation due to improved park conditions, but could lose customers if higher fees reduce overall park attendance—especially among price-sensitive visitors.