SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5605

As of February 13, 2003

Title: An act relating to authorized single-occupant vehicles in high-occupancy vehicle lanes.

Brief Description: Allowing single-occupant vehicles to pay to use HOV lanes.

Sponsors: Senators Benton, Oke, Swecker, Rossi, West and Hale.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Highways & Transportation: 2/13/03.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Staff: Janice Baumgardt (786-7319)

Background: The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and local governments are authorized to reserve any portion of a highway under their jurisdiction as a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane. HOV lanes may be designated for the exclusive use of public transportation vehicles or private vehicles carrying not less than a specified number of persons.

Summary of Bill: The Department of Licensing is directed to issue an optional identifier that allows vehicle owners to use the HOV lanes. The cost of the identifier is $500 per year and a $5 cost may be collected for issuing the identifier. Sub-agents may sell the identifier.

"Authorized single-occupant vehicles" (authorized SOVs) are defined as those vehicles displaying the optional permit. The HOV statutes are changed to include authorized SOVs as eligible to use the HOV lanes.

WSDOT is directed to work with the federal government to obtain any waivers needed to implement this bill.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 31, 2003.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.