SB 6113-S2 - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 2ND SUBSTITUTE)

     Provides that, effective with registrations that are due or become due beginning January 1, 2003, the department shall design and issue optional permits for owners of manufacturer-certified ultra-fuel-efficient vehicles that will entitle the operator of the vehicle to use special lanes as specified in RCW 46.61.165 and 47.52.025.  The department shall charge an annual fee of two hundred dollars for the permit.  The permit is nontransferable.

     Requires the department to send the fee to the state treasurer for deposit in the multimodal transportation account.

     Provides that the department may open any such lanes to use by single-occupant vehicles that are ultra-fuel-efficient at such times or locations when the addition of these vehicles would not unduly contribute to congestion or impede the flow of traffic.  As used in this act, "ultra-fuel-efficient" means a vehicle that averages greater than forty-six miles per gallon of fuel, including but not limited to a gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle.