Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 468-270-075 and 468-270-077, State Route (SR) 167 high occupancy toll (HOT) Lanes and I-405 express toll lanes (ETL) toll rates.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 47.56.850, 47.56.880, 47.56.884, 47.56.886, 47.56.888.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Per RCW 47.56.880, the Washington state transportation commission (WSTC), as the state tolling authority, must consider toll rates that will help effectively maintain travel time, speed, and reliability on the I-405 and SR 167 corridors. In addition, per RCW 47.56.850, WSTC must ensure that toll rates generate sufficient revenue to meet the operating costs of the toll facilities as well as financing obligations. This rule is necessary to ensure these requirements are met.

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 the Washington state department of transportation, 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 Carl See, WSTC, P.O. Box 473308, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-705-7070, email transc@wstc.wa.gov, website http://www.wstc.wa.gov.