"Opt-Out" Bill to Keep Parks Open Passes House; On to Senate

The “opt out” funding bill to head off closure of 50 state parks passed the House Monday night on vote of 56-42. It now goes to the Senate.

Call your senator at 1-800-562-6000 to urge a quick vote and support for HB 2339, the parks opt-out funding bill.

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HB 2339, the good bill funding state parks through a voluntary $5 fee drivers would pay when renewing license tabs, passed out of the House Ways and Means Committee with amendments.

Drivers could “opt out” of the fee. But it’s expected enough would participate to raise the $28 million or so needed to avoid closure of 50 state parks—a tragedy in these tough economic times.

The amendments delay the effective date of the “opt out” program until Sept. 1, 2009, to give the Department of Licensing more time to gear up. And DOL is directed to make it clear how drivers can opt out of the fee.