Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 47.56.165, 47.46.190, 47.46.100, 47.46.105, 47.56.030, 47.56.240, and 47.56.795.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Per RCW 47.46.100(3), the Washington state transportation commission (WSTC) shall set toll rates for TNB to be sufficient to meet maintenance and operations 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, WSTC will review and possibly adjust TNB toll rates, fees, and policies. Per RCW 47.56.165, WSTC is also authorized to assess system-wide administrative fees as appropriate for toll collection processes.

In 2022, the state legislature provided $130,000,000 to enable a toll rate reduction on TNB. It is the intent of the legislature that WSTC will adjust tolls accordingly, in consideration of annual contributions from nontoll sources and the costs required to be covered under RCW 47.46.100.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Other agencies that regulate this subject are WSTC as the operator of the tolled facilities, and the office of the state treasurer who oversees the financing of tolled facilities. WSTC works closely and coordinates with both agencies in developing toll setting proposals and carrying out the rule-making process for making toll adjustments.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Transportation Commission, Carl See, P.O. Box 47308, Olympia, WA 98504-7308, phone 360-705-7070, fax 360-705-6802, email transc@wstc.wa.gov, website http://www.wstc.wa.gov.