Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  "(1) The department of transportation shall engage in a transparent, public process to reexamine the administrative rules surrounding access to high occupancy vehicle lanes that must include an examination of the benefits and impacts of allowing private, for hire vehicles regulated under chapter 81.72 RCW that have been specially manufactured, designed, or modified for the transportation of a person who has a mobility disability and uses a wheelchair or other assistive device into the high occupancy vehicle lanes.

(2) By January 1, 2019, the department of transportation shall report progress of the public rule reexamination process in subsection (1) of this section to the transportation committees of the legislature with sufficient time for review before the conclusion of the process.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.  This act expires August 1, 2019."

Correct the title.

EFFECT: Makes the following changes related to the use of taxicabs designed to transport individuals with a mobility disability:

(1) Removes authorization for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and local highway authorities to permit taxicab vehicles that are designed to transport individuals with a mobility disability to use high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes.

(2) Mandates that WSDOT conduct a review of administrative rules governing HOV lane access that must include an examination of the benefits and impacts of allowing taxicab vehicles manufactured, designed, or modified to transport individuals with a mobility disability to use HOV lanes.