WSR 16-01-139

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed December 21, 2015, 7:55 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: State Route 16 Tacoma Narrows Bridge (TNB) toll rates, fees and policies.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 47.46.100, 47.56.030, 47.56.240, and 47.46.105.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Per RCW 47.46.100(3), rates must be sufficient to meet maintenance and operational costs, insurance costs, make repayments to the motor vehicle fund, and make principal and interest payments on the debt. In order to meet the requirements in state law, TNB toll rates, fees and policies will be reviewed and possibly adjusted.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The transportation commission will review and coordinate with the Washington state department of transportation and the TNB Citizen Advisory Committee on this rule-making process.

Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Prior to initiating rule making, the commission shall consult with the TNB Citizen Advisory Committee and the Washington state department of transportation. If the transportation commission initiates rule making, it will hold a public hearing in the regional area surrounding the TNB in the spring of 2016. More details will be issued in coming months. Public comment also will be taken at the final hearing. Comments may also be submitted in writing to the transportation commission by mail at P.O. Box 47308, Olympia, WA 98504-7308, phone (360) 705-7070, fax (360) 705-6802, or e-mail transc@wsdot.wa.gov.

December 21, 2015

Reema Griffith

Executive Director