ESSB 5390
SignedSenate
Access to recreation sites
Concerning the discover pass and distributions. (REVISED FOR ENGROSSED: Concerning access to recreation sites or lands.)
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 from $30 to $45 and the Day-Use Permit from $10 to $15, effective July 1, 2025, to keep pace with rising costs of maintaining recreation sites. It also adds a new family pass option and keeps the volunteer pass benefit unchanged.
- Increases the annual Discover Pass fee from $30 to $45.
- Increases the daily Day-Use Permit fee from $10 to $15.
- Introduces a new Family Discover Pass (up to $50) that is transferable across vehicles and does not require license plate numbers.
- Requires the Office of Financial Management to review and recommend adjustments to both fees every four years to account for inflation.
- Maintains the current policy allowing 24+ hours of volunteer service per year (or combined for married couples) to qualify for a free Discover Pass.
Who is affected
- Recreation site users (drivers and daily visitors) — Residents and visitors who drive to state parks or other state-owned recreation sites will pay more to park or use day-use areas; those who buy annual passes will see a $15 increase ($30 → $45), and daily users will pay $5 more per day ($10 → $15).
- State park volunteers — Volunteers who contribute 24+ hours to state-sanctioned projects (or married couples combining hours) can still get a free annual pass, preserving access for dedicated volunteers.
- Families and multi-vehicle households — Families who frequently switch vehicles may benefit from the new family pass option, which allows unlimited vehicle use without listing license plates.
- State agencies managing recreation sites — State agencies (e.g., parks, fish and wildlife, transportation) will gain more stable funding to maintain facilities and services as fees rise with inflation.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Fee increases are explicitly tied to inflation and rising maintenance costs, supporting safer and better-maintained parks—reducing risks like unstable structures, hazardous trails, or inadequate sanitation—benefiting all users, especially families and vulnerable populations who rely most on public parks for low-cost recreation.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1)(a), Sec. 2(1)(b), Sec. 3(1)The new Family Discover Pass (up to $50) removes the license-plate restriction, allowing flexibility for households with multiple drivers or vehicles—reducing administrative burden and enabling shared use without needing multiple passes, which benefits working families and caregivers who coordinate transportation.
TransportationPeopleRef: Sec. 2(5)The volunteer pass benefit is preserved—24+ hours of service still qualifies for a free Discover Pass, and married couples can combine hours—ensuring continued access for dedicated volunteers, many of whom are older residents or community members with limited means, and reinforcing civic engagement incentives.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(6)(a), Sec. 2(6)(b)Mandatory four-year inflation reviews by the Office of Financial Management introduce a transparent, data-driven mechanism to prevent future fee stagnation and ensure long-term funding stability for recreation programs—helping local agencies (e.g., parks departments) plan budgets and maintain services without sudden fiscal shocks.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2), Sec. 3(3)By aligning fees with rising operational and maintenance costs, the bill helps ensure sustainable funding for stewardship of public lands—including trail maintenance, invasive species control, and habitat protection—benefiting ecosystems and public access to natural resources for all Washingtonians.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 1 (Findings), Sec. 2(2), Sec. 3(1)
Potential Concerns (5)
The annual Discover Pass fee increase from $30 to $45 (a 50% rise) and the Day-Use Permit increase from $10 to $15 (a 50% rise) impose a direct out-of-pocket cost increase on recreational users, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income households who rely on state parks for affordable outdoor access; these users are less able to absorb the increase and may reduce park visits, limiting access to public recreation.
FinancialIndustryRef: Sec. 2(2)The new Family Discover Pass (capped at $50) is priced at the upper limit of the statutory cap and requires a premium over the standard $45 pass—effectively making it an upsell for households with multiple vehicles, which are more common among higher-income families; the pass does not offset the steep base fee increase for most users, and its design may incentivize purchasing the more expensive option despite limited added utility for average users.
FinancialIndustryRef: Sec. 2(5)While improved park maintenance may enhance safety (e.g., better-maintained trails, restrooms, signage), the bill does not tie fee increases to measurable safety outcomes or require performance metrics—funding will go into general recreation accounts, and there is no guarantee that increased revenue will directly improve safety for everyday users, especially in underserved areas.
Public SafetyIndustryRef: Sec. 2(2) & Sec. 3(1)The Family Discover Pass’s $50 cap and requirement to purchase separately from the base pass may create a two-tiered access system: households with multiple vehicles (more likely to be higher-income) gain convenience at a higher cost, while single-vehicle households face the full $45 fee without equivalent flexibility—potentially exacerbating inequities in access to public lands.
HousingIndustryRef: Sec. 2(5)The bill does not include targeted affordability safeguards (e.g., income-based discounts, sliding-scale fees, or expanded free pass eligibility) for low-income residents, seniors on fixed incomes, or rural communities with limited alternative recreation options—despite the 50% fee hikes, which may reduce visitation among these groups.
FinancialIndustryRef: Sec. 2(2) & Sec. 3(1)
Who Is Most Affected
Low- and middle-income households, especially those without private land access or recreation budgets, face higher barriers to park use due to 50% fee hikes; they are unlikely to qualify for the Family Pass discount or volunteer benefits, reducing equitable access to public lands.
Families with multiple vehicles benefit from the license-plate-free Family Pass, but only if they can afford the $45–$50 range; the pass may be cost-effective for frequent park-goers but is still more expensive than before, creating a modest net benefit for higher-income families.
Volunteers gain preserved access to free passes, reinforcing civic incentives; however, the 24-hour threshold remains unchanged, so the benefit is limited to those with time to contribute—often retirees or those with flexible schedules.
State agencies (e.g., parks, fish and wildlife) gain more predictable funding tied to inflation, supporting long-term planning and maintenance—but the bill does not allocate funds specifically for underserved communities or rural parks, limiting equity impact.
Rural communities and small tourism-dependent businesses (e.g., local cafes, gas stations near parks) may see reduced visitation if higher fees deter park use, potentially harming local economies—though improved park conditions could offset some losses.