S-3271.1  _______________________________________________

                 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 8415

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1997 Regular Session

By Senators West and Roach

Read first time 04/17/97.

Examining motor vehicle excise tax distribution. 

    WHEREAS, The state's transportation system is vital to the economy of the state and the economic well-being of its citizens; and

    WHEREAS, It is the duty of the Legislature to provide an adequate and stable source of funding for the state's transportation systems; and

    WHEREAS, The motor vehicle excise tax, a significant source of state revenue, is based on the use of motor vehicles on the state highway system; and

    WHEREAS, The Legislature is committed to develop a long-range plan  to dedicate additional existing motor vehicle excise tax revenue for transportation purposes;

    NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the Senate of the state of Washington, the House of Representatives concurring, That the staff of the fiscal committees of the Legislature shall undertake an examination of the imposition and distribution of the motor vehicle excise tax, with the goal of using motor vehicle excise tax revenue for transportation purposes.  The examination shall include a review of:  (1) The historical distribution of the tax revenues; (2) the current distribution of the revenues; (3) current and historical purposes of the tax; (4) the adequacy of state transportation funding from the motor vehicle excise tax and the revenue needs of other state and local programs; and (5) the rate of the motor vehicle excise tax compared to other states in the context of the total tax burden on motor vehicle owners; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the examination shall be completed by December 31, 1997, and a report submitted to the fiscal committees of the Legislature.

                            --- END ---