FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 2476

C 230 L 04

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Facilitating vehicle toll collection.

Sponsors: By Representative Murray; by request of Department of Transportation.

House Committee on Transportation

Senate Committee on Highways & Transportation

Background:

The Department of Transportation (DOT) plans to operate the Tacoma Narrows Bridge utilizing electronic toll collection technology as well as manual toll collection. Using that technology, frequent users of the bridge can keep a transponder in their car that records their use of the toll facility. Electronic toll collection by transponder could either be prepaid or users could receive a monthly toll bill in the mail. The Transportation Commission will be addressing payment specifics as part of setting tolls.

Use of an electronic toll collection system allows traffic to move more freely than a conventional toll booth and can also be used to facilitate enforcement against toll violators.

The Department of Licensing (DOL) may provide lists of registered and legal owners of vehicles to specified entities for specified purposes. For example, car manufacturers are authorized to obtain lists to assist with factory recalls. A toll facility operator is not authorized to access DOL vehicle records to identify toll evaders.

Summary:

Electronic toll collection is allowed on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Recorded images may not be used for any purpose other than toll enforcement. "Electronic toll collection" and "photo monitoring system" are defined under the Public-Private Transportation Initiatives Act.

The DOT is directed to create rules for operating and managing toll collection and allowing for transponder compatibility between statewide toll facilities (including ferries, public transit agencies). The DOT rules must also allow for an open standard for interoperability with multiple transponder vendors.

Toll facility operators are added to the list of entities to whom the DOL may furnish lists of registered and legal owners in order to identify toll violators.

Votes on Final Passage:

House 98  0

Senate 48  0    (Senate amended)

House 97  0    (House concurred)

Effective: June 10, 2004