FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 6322

                          C 237 L 96

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Adjusting fees used for recreational vehicle sanitary facilities.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senator Owen).

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committee on Transportation

Background:  In 1980, the Legislature created the RV account in the motor vehicle fund. The account is funded by an annual $1 licensing fee for each licensed camper, travel trailer, and motor home.  The Department of Transportation (DOT) is directed to use moneys deposited in the account for the construction and maintenance of recreational vehicle sanitary disposal systems in safety rest areas.

A citizens' advisory committee recommends how DOT should expend funds from the RV account.  Since the fund was created, RV dump stations have been installed in 17 of the 39 safety rest areas.  These facilities are very popular, and are often used when other public and private dump stations are closed.

Over the past few years, revenues generated by the RV licensing fee have been insufficient to cover the expenditures associated with the RV sanitary disposal systems.  The primary reasons for the insufficient revenues are:  (1) rising sewage costs; (2) heavier use of the facilities than was anticipated; and (3) the rate of inflation has outpaced the increase in the number of licensed recreational vehicles.

While there is currently a positive balance in the RV account, this has been achieved through deferral and cancellation of sanitary system construction.  Furthermore, the true cost of maintaining and operating these facilities has not been reflected in the annual maintenance charges to the RV account.  DOT plans to change this practice so that authorized costs are charged to the account.

Summary:  The licensing fee for funding the RV account is raised from $1 to $3.  The fee increase is effective with motor vehicle fees due or to become due September 1, 1996.

In the future, the Department of Transportation is authorized to increase the fee by a percentage that exceeds the fiscal growth factor.  However, subsequent RV account fee adjustments:  (1) may occur only once every four years, following consultation with representatives of the RV user community; (2) must be preceded by an evaluation; (3) may not exceed 50 cents/biennium; and (4) DOL must receive six month's prior notification.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate    49 0

House     94 0 (House amended)

Senate    45 0 (Senate concurred)

Effective:  June 6, 1996

          September 1, 1996 (Section 1)