HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 HJR 4211

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                       Transportation

Brief Description:  Permitting motor vehicle taxes to be used for transportation purposes.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives R. Fisher, Anderson, Nelson, Cole, Rust, Brekke, Jacobsen, H. Sommers, Pruitt, Phillips, Fraser, G. Fisher, Ebersole, Hine, Cantwell, Scott, Valle, Winsley, Riley, Roland, O'Brien, Ogden, Wineberry, Spanel, Leonard and Sprenkle.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Transportation, March 7, 1991, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 14 members:  Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; R. Meyers, Vice Chair; Basich; Brough; Cantwell; Cooper; G. Fisher; Haugen; Heavey; R. Johnson; Jones; Kremen; Nelson; and Prentice.

Minority Report: Do not pass.  Signed by 13 members:  Representatives Betrozoff, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Day; Forner; Horn; P. Johnson; Mitchell; Orr; Prince; Schmidt; Wilson; Wood; and Zellinsky.

Staff:  Louise Bray Sandison (786-7322).

Background:  In 1944 the 18th Amendment (Art. II, sec. 40) to the State Constitution was enacted, requiring that motor vehicle fuel tax, vehicle registration fees and "all other revenue intended to be used for highway purposes" be placed in a special fund to be used exclusively for highway purposes.

Highway purposes are defined as the necessary operating, engineering and legal expenses connected with the administration of public highways, county roads, city streets and bridges.  Operation of ferries connected to any public highway, county road or city street, as well as policing of state public highways, are specifically included as  "highway purposes".  Other transportation purposes, such as rail or transit, are not included in the definition of "highway purposes."

Summary of Bill:  The 18th Amendment is expanded to permit the protected revenues to be used for any transportation purpose.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Testimony For:  This measure will allow the Legislature to devote Motor Vehicle Fund monies to any transportation purpose, not just highways.

Testimony Against:  Broadening the uses for which fuel tax may be used without expanding the revenue sources will prevent addressing current road needs.

Witnesses:  Jim Clemen, Department of Transportation (con); Paul W. Locke (con); and Chris Leman, Transportation Alternatives Forum (pro).