SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5747

 

As of February 14, 2001

 

Title:  An act relating to a fee on studded tires.

 

Brief Description:  Imposing a fee on studded tires.

 

Sponsors:  Senators Haugen, Horn, Kohl‑Welles and Parlette; by request of The Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation.

 

Brief History: 

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  2/14/01.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

 

Staff: Jennifer Ziegler (786-7316)

 

Background:  The Legislature and the Governor formed the Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation in 1998 to assess the local, regional, and state transportation system; ensure that current and future money is spent wisely; make the system more accountable and predictable; and prepare a 20-year plan for funding and investing in the transportation system.  The commission consisted of 46 members representing business, labor, agriculture, tribes, government, ports, shipping, trucking, transit, rail, environmental interests, and the general public.

 

The commission made 18 recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature. Recommendation Five outlined several ways to invest in maintenance, preservation, and improvement of the entire transportation system so that transportation benchmarks can be achieved.  The commission concluded that one method for preserving the transportation system was to phase out studded tires or establish a surcharge to recognize the cost of studded tire damage to the roadways.

 

In 1999, the Legislature enacted a bill requiring wholesalers to only sell lightweight studs for tires.  Starting July 1, 2001, retailers may only install lightweight studs on tires.  The Washington State Department of Transportation projects that by July 2005, lightweight studs will be the only studs on the road.

 

Summary of Bill:  Beginning July 1, 2001, a fee of $15 per tire is levied on the sale of each studded tire.  The buyer of the tires must pay the fee to the seller of the tires and the seller must send the fees to the Department of Revenue.  The fees must be deposited in 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.