Washington State House of Representatives	BILL ANALYSIS
Transportation Committee

PSHB 1670

Brief Description:  Imposing a fee on studded tires.

Sponsors:  Representatives Fisher, Mitchell, Ruderman and Poulsen; by request of The Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation.

Brief Summary of Bill

$A $15 fee is levied upon the retail sale of each studded tire starting July 1, 2001.

Hearing Date:  2/14/01

Staff:  Penny Nerup (786‑7335).

Background: 

The Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation recommended that studded tires be either phased out or a surcharge be established to recognize the cost of studded tire damage to the roadways.

In 1999 in recognition of the damage that heavyweight studded tires do to the roadway, the Legislature passed a law requiring that only lightweight studs be sold in Washington beginning July 1, 2001.

Summary of Bill: 

A fee of $15 is levied upon the retail sale of each studded tire starting July 1, 2001.  The fee is to be collected by the seller of the tire and should be remitted monthly to the Department of Revenue, who will deposit these fees into the motor vehicle fund.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 1, 2001.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 2001.