SB 6569-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

     Declares that green lanes will be for the exclusive or preferential use of green vehicles when the limitations will increase the efficient use of the highway, will aid in the conservation of energy resources, or will improve air quality.  For purposes of this section, "green vehicles" means:  (1) Public transportation vehicles;

     (2) Private motor vehicles carrying no fewer than a specified number of passengers;

     (3) Private motor vehicles whose average gasoline mileage is at least twice the national average for passenger cars, as that figure is determined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency; and

     (4) Private motor vehicles that are permanently mitigating the greenhouse gas emissions emitted by paying a mitigation fee under this act.

     Directs the department of licensing to set a mitigation fee, or a schedule of fees based on the age or relative emissions of a vehicle, for green vehicles under this act of no more than three thousand six hundred dollars annually.

     Provides that one-half of this fee must be transferred to the Washington State University energy program for the study of the climate and rural energy development, which shall use this fee for air pollution mitigation within the boundaries of the air pollution control authorities for the counties in which a green vehicle paying a mitigation fee is used.

     Provides that one-half of this fee must be used to purchase mass transit passes for low-income riders within the boundaries of a transit authority in which a green vehicle paying a mitigation fee is used.