WSR 18-06-073

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed March 5, 2018, 5:39 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: State Route (SR) 99 tunnel toll rates, fees and policies.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 47.56.030, 47.56.795, 47.56.850, and 47.56.862.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Per RCW 47.56.862, the tolling authority (commission) shall set a variable schedule of toll rates to maintain travel time, speed, and reliability on this facility and to generate the necessary revenue sufficient to meet the redemption of bonds, to meet the obligations of the tolling authority under RCW 47.56.850, and interest payments on bonds and for those costs that are eligible under RCW 47.56.820. Therefore, in order to meet these requirements in state law, the commission will establish SR 99 tunnel toll rates, fees and policies.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The transportation commission will coordinate with the Washington state department of transportation 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 by contacting Transportation Commission, P.O. Box 47308, Olympia, WA 98504-7308, phone 360-705-7070, fax 360-705-6802, email transc@wsdot.wa.gov, web site http://www.wstc.wa.gov/.

Additional comments: In consultation with the Washington state department of transportation, the transportation commission will hold public input meetings prior to issuing a toll rate proposal for the SR 99 tunnel. Public comment will also be taken at the final hearing.

March 5, 2018

Reema Griffith

Executive Director