The commission may:

(1) Make rules and regulations for the proper administration of its duties;

(2) Accept any grants of funds made with or without a matching requirement by the United States, or any agency thereof, for purposes in keeping with the purposes of this chapter; accept gifts, bequests, devises and endowments for purposes in keeping with such purposes; enter into cooperative agreements with and provide for private nonprofit groups to use state park property and facilities to raise money to contribute gifts, grants, and support to the commission for the purposes of this chapter. The commission may assist the nonprofit group in a cooperative effort by providing necessary agency personnel and services, if available. However, none of the moneys raised may inure to the benefit of the nonprofit group, except in furtherance of its purposes to benefit the commission as provided in this chapter. The agency and the private nonprofit group must agree on the nature of any project to be supported by such gift or grant prior to the use of any agency property or facilities for raising money. Any such gifts may be in the form of recreational facilities developed or built in part or in whole for public use on agency property, provided that the facility is consistent with the purposes of the agency;

(3) Require certification by the commission of all parks and recreation workers employed in state aided or state controlled programs;

(4) Act jointly, when advisable, with the United States, any other state agencies, institutions, departments, boards, or commissions in order to carry out the objectives and responsibilities of this chapter;

(5) Grant franchises and easements for any legitimate purpose on parks or parkways, for such terms and subject to such conditions and considerations as the commission shall specify;

(6) Charge fees for services, utilities, and use of facilities as the commission shall deem proper. The commission may utilize unstaffed collection stations to collect any fees or distribute any permits necessary for access to state parks, including discover passes and day-use permits as those terms are defined in RCW 79A.80.010;

(7) Enter into agreements whereby individuals or companies may rent undeveloped parks or parkway land for grazing, agricultural, or mineral development purposes upon such terms and conditions as the commission shall deem proper, for a term not to exceed forty years;

(8) Determine the qualifications of and employ a director of parks and recreation who must receive a salary as fixed by the governor in accordance with the provisions of RCW 43.03.040 and determine the qualifications and salary of and employ such other persons as may be needed to carry out the provisions hereof; and

(9) Utilize such other powers as in the judgment of a majority of its members are deemed necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter. However, the commission does not have power to supervise directly any local park or recreation district, and no funds shall be made available for such purpose.

Effective date—2012 c 261: See note following RCW 79A.80.010.

Effective date—2011 c 320: See note following RCW 79A.80.005.

Findings—Intent—2011 c 320: See RCW 79A.80.005.

Effective date—2006 c 141: “This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect April 9, 2006.” [ 2006 c 141 § 2.]

Severability—1999 c 249: See note following RCW 79A.05.010.

Findings—Intent—1995 c 211: “The legislature finds that during the past fourteen years, the Washington state parks and recreation commission has endured a steady erosion of general fund operating support, which has caused park closures, staff reductions, and growing backlog of deferred maintenance projects. The legislature also finds that the growth of parks revenue has been constrained by staff limitations and by transfers of that revenue into the general fund.

The legislature intends to reverse the decline in operating support to its state parks, stabilize the system’s level of general fund support, and inspire system employees and park visitors to enhance these irreplaceable resources and ensure their continuing availability to current and future state citizens and visitors. To achieve these goals, the legislature intends to dedicate park revenues to park operations, developing and renovating park facilities, undertaking deferred maintenance, and improving park stewardship. The legislature clearly intends that such revenues shall complement, not supplant, future general fund support.” [ 1995 c 211 § 1.]

Effective date—1995 c 211: “This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect July 1, 1995.” [ 1995 c 211 § 8.]

Severability—1995 c 211: “If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.” [ 1995 c 211 § 9.]

Effective date—1969 c 99: “This 1969 amendatory act shall take effect July 1, 1969.” [ 1969 c 99 § 12.]