HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 6296

BYSenators Nelson, Hansen, Owen, McMullen, McCaslin, Sellar, Conner and Johnson

Authorizing the state patrol to operate ports of entry jointly with other states.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (19)

      Signed by Representatives Walk, Chair; Baugher, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Cantwell, Cooper, Doty, Fisher, Fox, Gallagher, Hankins, Heavey, Jacobsen, Jones, Meyers, D. Sommers, Todd, K. Wilson, S. Wilson and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Mary McLaughlin (786-7309)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 26, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is asking that negotiating powers be granted the agency to allow the placement of a Patrol officer in an Idaho port of entry (POE) and an Idaho official in a Washington POE.  Idaho has a similar arrangement with Montana on the Idaho-Montana border.

It is not unusual for a commercial vehicle to enter a state without having paid the fees and taxes due in the state they just left.  Joint operation of the ports would curb this practice by allowing officials at one state's POE to collect fees due the bordering state.

SUMMARY:

The Washington State Patrol is authorized to enter into bilateral agreements with bordering states for the joint operation of ports of entry. Either party state may deny a vehicle entrance into its state until all fees and taxes due in the other state are satisfied.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Captain Rick Jensen, Washington State Patrol.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Joint operation of POE's will help ensure that all taxes and fees due in one state are paid before entering another state.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.