This chapter is promulgated to carry out the commission's duties and responsibilities as contained in RCW 43.51.375.

Whenever used in this chapter the following terms shall be defined as herein indicated.

(1) "Hostel" means a simple basic structure which serves as a safe, low-cost overnight accommodation for mobile people of all ages from this country and abroad.

(2) "Director" means the director of the Washington state parks and recreation commission.

(3) "Commission" means the Washington state parks and recreation commission.

The commission will accept grants or moneys from any federal or private source for support of hostels. The commission, at its discretion, will apportion and transfer any such moneys to public agencies which have contracted for the operation of a hostel or hostels, or to political subdivisions which operate hostels. Application for such moneys shall be made on a form provided by the director, which may be obtained upon request by writing in care of the Director, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, 7150 Cleanwater Lane, Olympia, Washington 98504: Provided, That no contracting agency or political subdivision will be eligible to receive any such moneys in support of hostels unless their hostels are operated in accordance with WAC 352-52-040.

Hostels shall be operated in substantial compliance with the operating standards and customs established by American Youth Hostels, Inc. (AYH), as reflected in the AYH Hostel Operations Manual, January 1977 revision. Copies of the manual are available upon request by writing in care of the director, whose address is given in WAC 352-52-030. There will be a charge for copying the manual according to the fees established in WAC 352-40-090 for copying public records.