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WashingtonSB 53902025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Updating the cost of the discover pass and day-use permits.

Sponsored By: Derek Stanford (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Disabled veterans gain access, lose fee exemption

Beginning October 1, 2025, Washington veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 30% qualify for a free lifetime pass. It provides free admission and campsite use at state recreation sites and lands. It also serves as a Discover Pass when the veteran is the driver or a passenger. State park benefits apply year-round but exclude facilities run by concessionaires. The law removes the former explicit exemption from reservation fees.

Some drivers avoid recreation pass requirements

Beginning October 1, 2025, vehicles using qualifying unblocked roads do not need a recreation pass or permit. The road must be managed by Washington's Department of Natural Resources or Department of Fish and Wildlife. An off-road recreation vehicle brought to a recreation site by another motor vehicle is also exempt. The transporting vehicle must stay parked there and display the required pass or permit.

Timely pass proof lowers drivers' penalties

Beginning October 1, 2025, failure to follow required recreation pass display and use rules is a natural-resource infraction. For the specified violation, qualifying proof reduces the $99 penalty to $59, saving $40. You must give the court proof within 15 days after the notice of violation is issued. Accepted proof shows a Discover Pass purchase or that you obtained a lifetime disabled veteran pass.

Discover Pass buyers pay $15 more

Beginning October 1, 2025, a standard Discover Pass costs $45 instead of $30—$15 more per pass. A family pass can cost up to $50, and both passes last one year from activation. Standard passes can list two license plates but cover only one vehicle at a time. Family passes transfer among vehicles without listing plates. The Office of Financial Management must review prices every four years and recommend inflation-based changes when warranted.

Pass revenue favors parks longer

Beginning October 1, 2025, all Discover Pass and day-use permit revenue goes into a new Recreation Access Pass Account. Each two-year state budget period, the first $85 million is split 84% for State Parks and 8% each for fish-and-wildlife and natural-resources accounts. Revenue above $85 million is split equally among the three accounts. The old threshold was $71 million. Raising it extends the revenue band that favors State Parks over the other two agencies.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Derek Stanford

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 198 • No: 192

Senate vote • 4/24/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 27 • No: 21

House vote • 4/22/2025

1090 Engell Pg 7 Ln 2

Yes: 47 • No: 51

House vote • 4/22/2025

1071 Couture Pg 2 Ln 28

Yes: 43 • No: 54 • Other: 1

House vote • 4/22/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 52 • No: 46

Senate vote • 3/11/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 29 • No: 20

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 10/1/2025.

    5/17/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 323, 2025 Laws PV.

    5/17/2025Senate

  3. Governor partially vetoed.

    5/17/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/27/2025legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    4/26/2025legislature

  6. President signed.

    4/25/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 27; nays, 21; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/24/2025Senate

  8. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    4/24/2025House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 52; nays, 46; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/22/2025Senate

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/22/2025Senate

  11. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    4/22/2025Senate

  12. Committee amendment not adopted.

    4/22/2025Senate

  13. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    4/10/2025Senate

  14. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    4/8/2025Senate

  15. Minority; do not pass.

    4/3/2025Senate

  16. APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    4/3/2025Senate

  17. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    4/3/2025Senate

  18. First reading, referred to Appropriations.

    3/13/2025Senate

  19. Third reading, passed; yeas, 29; nays, 20; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    3/11/2025Senate

  20. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/11/2025Senate

  21. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    3/11/2025Senate

  22. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    3/11/2025Senate

  23. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/7/2025Senate

  24. WM - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    2/28/2025Senate

  25. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/28/2025Senate

Bill Text

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