5165-S AMH GOEH HAJE 338

  

SSB 5165 - H AMD TO H AMD (H-1417.1/21) 491

By Representative Goehner

ADOPTED 04/02/2021

On page 12, after line 29 of the striking amendment, insert the following:

"(3)(a) The transportation budget is currently reliant on vehicle and driver related fees. Motor vehicle registrations, driver licenses, tolls, and the motor vehicle fuel tax provide the primary revenues for the transportation budget. These user revenues no longer adequately support the transportation system's needs. Many of the transportation modes have no or little ability to generate revenue, yet are important elements of a functioning transportation network. Providing transportation options that do not involve passenger vehicles is critical. The tax burden in the transportation budget falls on people that own and drive vehicles. It fails to provide the money needed for the system quality that the people of Washington want.

(b) Therefore, the commission is directed to evaluate, identify, and consider agencies, programs, and activities that are currently funded in the transportation budget that provide a public good that might be paid for using other revenues. The commission is directed to make recommendations for potential changes to funding sources for the transportation system with the goal of providing funding to maintain existing transportation assets in a state of good repair without exclusively relying on vehicle owners or drivers as the revenue source. Preliminary findings must be presented to the Joint Transportation Committee by September 30, 2022, and a final report issued to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2022."

EFFECT:   Requires the Washington State Transportation Commission to evaluate agencies, programs, and activities funded in the transportation budget that might be paid for using revenue other than the revenue currently generated from people who own and drive vehicles, and to make recommendations for potential transportation system funding sources that do not rely exclusively on vehicle owners or drivers, with preliminary findings presented to the Joint Transportation Committee by September 30, 2022 and a final report issued to the appropriate committees of the Legislature by December 1, 2022.

FISCAL IMPACT: No net change to appropriated levels.

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