Discover Pass update - 2/7/2012
Well, yesterday we saw the 17th Discover Pass bill introduced, even though we are past the date for policy committees to act:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=6590&year=2011
But on to the things actually happening. Yesterday afternoon, the Senate Ways & Means committee heard SSB 6783, and last night the House Ways & Means committee finally heard SHB 2373. The TVW links are below. The hearing on SSB 6783 is at about 59:50 in and runs to about 1:07:15, and the hearing on SHB 2373 is at about 13:35 in and runs to about 44:40:
http://www2.tvw.org/media/mediaplayer.cfm?evid=2012020082A&TYPE=V&CFID=8771154&CFTOKEN=52497240&bhcp=1
http://www2.tvw.org/media/mediaplayer.cfm?evid=2012020086C&TYPE=V&CFID=8771154&CFTOKEN=52497240&bhcp=1
In the latter link, the House committee was briefed on two amendments to be offered- they were the same as amendments offered in committee last week, but not adopted then. That briefing is at about 1:37:05, and runs just under two minutes.
This afternoon, the Senate Ways & Means committee passed SSB 6387 out of committee. There were no amendments and no discussion. I heard a smattering of ÒnoÓ votes, and the bill report does show that 18 senators signed the Òdo passÓ report, one senator signed the Òdo not passÓ report, and two senators signed the Òno recommendationÓ report.
The House Ways & Means committee did not take up SHB 2373. Since the bill is considered NTIB- necessary to implement the budget- it is not subject to the cutoff deadlines. So, to avoid a partisan wrangle over additional donation options and the RV surcharge, action on the bill was delayed while everyone tries to find a way to maintain bipartisanship on this legislation. That means that the action on what has become the main bill on Discover Pass is on hold for now.
So, to sum up- of seventeen Discover Pass bills introduced, four are still alive-
1) SSB 5977, Sen. RankerÕs transferability bill has passed the Senate, has been heard in House General Government Appropriations & Oversight, but is not likely to go any further;
http://dlr.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/default.aspx?Bill=5977&year=2011
2) SHB 2373, Rep. Van De WegeÕs omnibus bill- including transferability- is in House Ways & Means awaiting further action;
http://dlr.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/default.aspx?Bill=2373&year=2011
3) SSB 6387, Sen. RankerÕs bill shifting Discover Pass fines from the counties to the agencies, is in Senate Rules having been passed out of Senate Ways & Means committee today;
http://dlr.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/default.aspx?Bill=6387&year=2011 and
4) 2SSB 5366, Òan act relating to regulating the use of off-road vehicles in certain areasÓ
http://dlr.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/default.aspx?Bill=5366&year=2011
I really donÕt have a handle on that last bill- the Discover Pass implications are a late addition to the bill and I honestly have not gotten engaged with it.
Life around the Capitol is now getting very busy, with bills generally having to pass House or Senate by 5pm next Tuesday (ValentineÕs Day) or they are dead; the next revenue forecast due next Thursday (February 16); and then budgets starting to move (we all hope). When I get a chance IÕll try to do a more in-depth analysis of the four remaining bills, including any possible budget impacts- but donÕt expect that before the weekend, at the earliest.
Jim
Citizens for Parks and Recreation
James L. King, Jr., Coordinator
120 State Ave NE #199
Olympia, WA 98501-8212 |
