2SHB 1773 -
By Representative Ericksen
FAILED 02/15/2008
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 A new section is added to chapter 47.56 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) Only the legislature may authorize the imposition of tolls on
eligible toll facilities on state routes. For the purposes of this
section, "eligible toll facilities" means portions of the state highway
system specifically identified by the legislature including state
routes, interstate highways, and highways of statewide significance.
(2) All revenue from an eligible toll facility must be used only to
improve, preserve, maintain, or operate the eligible toll facility on
or in which the revenue is collected. Expenditures of toll revenues
are subject to appropriation.
(3) All revenue from an eligible toll facility must be used only
for highway purposes consistent with Article II, section 40 of the
state Constitution.
(4) Toll rates on an eligible toll facility must be set at a
uniform and consistent rate and generate sufficient revenue to provide
its proportionate share of funding contributions for projects
identified by the legislature along the eligible toll facility. This
subsection does not apply to eligible toll facilities identified as
high-occupancy toll lanes. For the purposes of this subsection, "high-occupancy toll lane" means one or more high-occupancy vehicle lanes of
a highway that charges tolls as a means of regulating access to or the
use of the facility to maintain travel speed and reliability."
Correct the title.
EFFECT: The striking amendment does the following:
(1) Designates the legislature as the only entity that may impose
tolls on state routes.
(2) Requires that all revenue from a tolled facility be spent only
to improve, preserve, maintain, or operate the facility in which the
revenue is collected.
(3) Limits the expenditure of revenue from a tolled facility to
purposes consistent with the 18th amendment to the Washington
Constitution.
(4) Requires tolls to be uniform and consistent on a given toll
facility, except in the case of a high-occupancy toll project.