2228-S.E AMS HT S3019.1

ESHB 2228 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Highways & Transportation

ADOPTED AS AMENDED 04/15/2003

Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. DEFINITIONS. The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter and section 9 of this act unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Public agency" means any county, city, or other local government agency or any state government agency, board, or commission.

(2) "Public transportation" means the same as "public transportation service" as defined in RCW 36.57A.010 and includes passenger services of the Washington state ferries.

(3) "Nonmotorized commuting" means commuting to and from the workplace by an employee by walking or running or by riding a bicycle or other device not powered by a motor.

(4) "Ride sharing" means the same as "flexible commuter ride sharing" as defined in RCW 46.74.010, including ride sharing on Washington state ferries.

(5) "Car sharing" means a membership program intended to offer an alternative to car ownership under which persons or entities that become members are permitted to use vehicles from a fleet on an hourly basis.

(6) "Telework" means a program where work functions that are normally performed at a traditional workplace are instead performed by an employee at his or her home at least one day a week for the purpose of reducing the number of trips to the employee's workplace.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. TAX CREDITS--BUSINESS AND OCCUPATION AND PUBLIC UTILITY TAXES. (1) Employers in this state who are taxable under chapter 82.04 or 82.16 RCW and provide financial incentives to their own or other employees for ride sharing, for using public transportation, for using car sharing, or for using nonmotorized commuting before July 1, 2013, are allowed a credit against taxes payable under chapters 82.04 and 82.16 RCW for amounts paid to or on behalf of employees for ride sharing in vehicles carrying two or more persons, for using public transportation, for using car sharing, or for using nonmotorized commuting, not to exceed sixty dollars per employee per year.

(2) Property managers who are taxable under chapter 82.04 or 82.16 RCW and provide financial incentives to persons employed at a worksite in this state managed by the property manager for ride sharing, for using public transportation, for using car sharing, or for using nonmotorized commuting before July 1, 2013, are allowed a credit against taxes payable under chapters 82.04 and 82.16 RCW for amounts paid to or on behalf of these persons for ride sharing in vehicles carrying two or more persons, for using public transportation, for using car sharing, or for using nonmotorized commuting, not to exceed sixty dollars per person per year.

(3) The credit under this section is equal to the amount paid to or on behalf of each employee multiplied by fifty percent, but may not exceed sixty dollars per employee per year. The credit may not exceed the amount of tax that would otherwise be due under chapters 82.04 and 82.16 RCW.

(4) A person may not receive credit under this section for amounts paid to or on behalf of the same employee under both chapters 82.04 and 82.16 RCW.

(5) A person may not take a credit under this section for amounts claimed for credit by other persons.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. TAX CREDIT FILING. (1) Application for tax credit under section 2 of this act may only be made in the form and manner prescribed in rules adopted by the department.

(2) The credit under this section must be taken or deferred under section 4 of this act against taxes due for the same fiscal year in which the amounts for which credit is claimed were paid to or on behalf of employees for ride sharing, for using public transportation, for using car sharing, or for using nonmotorized commuting and must be claimed by the due date of the last tax return for the fiscal year in which the payment is made.

(3) Any person who knowingly makes a false statement of a material fact in the application for a credit under section 2 of this act is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. TAX CREDIT LIMITATIONS. (1) The department shall keep a running total of all credits accrued under section 2 of this act during each fiscal year. No person is eligible for tax credits under section 2 of this act if the credits would cause the tabulation for the total amount of credits taken in any fiscal year to exceed two million two hundred fifty thousand dollars. This limitation includes any credits carried forward under subsection (2)(b) of this section from prior years.

(2)(a) No person is eligible for tax credits under section 2 of this act in excess of the amount of tax that would otherwise be due under chapter 82.04 or 82.16 RCW.

(b) A person with taxes equal to or in excess of the credit under section 2 of this act, and therefore not subject to the limitation in (a) of this subsection, may defer tax credits for a period of not more than three years after the year in which the credits accrue. A person deferring tax credits under this subsection (2)(b) must submit an application in the year in which the tax credits will be applied. This application is subject to eligibility under subsection (1) of this section for the fiscal year in which the tax credits will be applied.

(3) No person is eligible for tax credits under section 2 of this act in excess of two hundred thousand dollars in any fiscal year. This limitation does not apply to credits deferred in prior years under subsection (2)(b) of this section.

(4) No person is eligible for tax credits, including deferred credits authorized under subsection (2)(b) of this section, after June 30, 2013.

(5) Credits may not be carried forward or carried backward other than as authorized in subsection (2)(b) of this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. FUND TRANSFER. (1) The director shall on the 25th of February, May, August, and November of each year advise the state treasurer of the amount of credit taken under section 2 of this act during the preceding calendar quarter ending on the last day of December, March, June, and September, respectively.

(2) On the last day of March, June, September, and December of each year, the state treasurer, based upon information provided by the department, shall deposit to the general fund a sum equal to the dollar amount of the credit provided under section 2 of this act from the multimodal transportation account.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. COMMUTE TRIP REDUCTION REPORTING. The commute trip reduction task force shall determine the effectiveness of the tax credit under section 2 of this act, the grant program in section 9 of this act, and the relative effectiveness of the tax credit and the grant program as part of its ongoing evaluation of the commute trip reduction law and report to the legislative transportation committee and to the fiscal committees of the house of representatives and the senate. The report must include information on the amount of tax credits claimed to date and recommendations on future funding between the tax credit program and the grant program. The report must be incorporated into the recommendations required in RCW 70.94.537(5).

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. ADMINISTRATION. Chapter 82.32 RCW applies to the administration of this chapter.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. EXPIRATION. This chapter expires July 1, 2013, except for section 5 of this act, which expires January 1, 2014.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. A new section is added to chapter 70.94 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The department of transportation shall administer a performance-based grant program for private employers, public agencies, nonprofit organizations, developers, and property managers who provide financial incentives for ride sharing in vehicles carrying two or more persons, for using public transportation, for using car sharing, or for using nonmotorized commuting, including telework, before July 1, 2013, to their own or other employees. However, no employer is eligible for both grants provided under this section and tax credits under section 2 of this act within the same fiscal year.

(2) The amount of the grant will be determined based on the value to the transportation system of the vehicle trips reduced. The commute trip reduction task force shall develop an award rate giving priority to applications achieving the greatest reduction in trips and commute miles per public dollar requested and considering the following criteria: The local cost of providing new highway capacity, congestion levels, and geographic distribution.

(3) No private employer, public agency, nonprofit organization, developer, or property manager is eligible for grants under this section in excess of one hundred thousand dollars in any fiscal year.

(4) The total of grants provided under this section may not exceed seven hundred fifty thousand dollars in any calendar year.

(5) The department of transportation shall report to the department of revenue by the 15th day of each month the aggregate monetary amount of grants provided under this section in the prior month and the identity of the recipients of those grants.

(6) The source of funds for this grant program is the multimodal transportation account.

(7) This section expires January 1, 2014.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:

(1) RCW 82.04.4453 (Credit--Ride-sharing, public transportation, or nonmotorized commuting incentives--Penalty--Report to legislature) and 1999 c 402 s 1, 1996 c 128 s 1, & 1994 c 270 s 2;

(2) RCW 82.04.4454 (Credit--Ride-sharing, public transportation, or nonmotorized commuting incentives--Ceiling) and 1999 c 402 s 3, 1996 c 128 s 2, & 1994 c 270 s 3;

(3) RCW 82.16.048 (Credit--Ride-sharing, public transportation, or nonmotorized commuting incentives--Penalty--Report to legislature) and 1999 c 402 s 2, 1996 c 128 s 3, & 1994 c 270 s 4;

(4) RCW 82.16.049 (Credit--Ride-sharing, public transportation, or nonmotorized commuting incentives--Ceiling) and 1999 c 402 s 4, 1996 c 128 s 4, & 1994 c 270 s 5; and

(5) RCW 47.01.900 (Commute trip reduction program--Transfer from state energy office--References to director or state energy office) and 1998 c 245 s 93 & 1996 c 186 s 301.

Sec. 11. RCW 70.94.527 and 1997 c 250 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Each county with a population over one hundred fifty thousand, and each city or town within those counties containing a major employer ((shall, by October 1, 1992,)) may adopt by ordinance and implement a commute trip reduction plan for all major employers. The plan shall be developed in cooperation with local transit agencies, regional transportation planning organizations as established in RCW 47.80.020, major employers, and the owners of and employers at major worksites. The plan shall be designed to achieve reductions in the proportion of single-occupant vehicle commute trips and the commute trip vehicle miles traveled per employee by employees of major public and private sector employers in the jurisdiction.

(2) All other counties, and cities and towns in those counties, may adopt and implement a commute trip reduction plan.

(3) The department of ecology may, after consultation with the department of transportation, as part of the state implementation plan for areas that do not attain the national ambient air quality standards for carbon monoxide or ozone, require municipalities other than those identified in subsection (1) of this section to adopt and implement commute trip reduction plans if the department determines that such plans are necessary for attainment of said standards.

(4) A commute trip reduction plan shall be consistent with the guidelines established under RCW 70.94.537 and shall include but is not limited to (a) goals for reductions in the proportion of single- occupant vehicle commute trips and the commute trip vehicle miles traveled per employee; (b) designation of commute trip reduction zones; (c) requirements for major public and private sector employers to implement commute trip reduction programs; (d) a commute trip reduction program for employees of the county, city, or town; (e) a review of local parking policies and ordinances as they relate to employers and major worksites and any revisions necessary to comply with commute trip reduction goals and guidelines; (f) an appeals process by which major employers, who as a result of special characteristics of their business or its locations would be unable to meet the requirements of a commute trip reduction plan, may obtain waiver or modification of those requirements; and (g) means for determining base year values of the proportion of single-occupant vehicle commute trips and the commute trip vehicle miles traveled per employee and progress toward meeting commute trip reduction plan goals on an annual basis. Goals which are established shall take into account existing transportation demand management efforts which are made by major employers. Each jurisdiction shall ensure that employers shall receive full credit for the results of transportation demand management efforts and commute trip reduction programs which have been implemented by major employers prior to the base year. The goals for miles traveled per employee for all major employers shall not be less than a fifteen percent reduction from the worksite base year value or the base year value for the commute trip reduction zone in which their worksite is located by January 1, 1995, twenty percent reduction from the base year values by January 1, 1997, twenty-five percent reduction from the base year values by January 1, 1999, and a thirty-five percent reduction from the base year values by January 1, 2005.

(5) A county, city, or town may, as part of its commute trip reduction plan, require commute trip reduction programs for employers with ten or more full time employees at major worksites in federally designated nonattainment areas for carbon monoxide and ozone. The county, city or town shall develop the programs in cooperation with affected employers and provide technical assistance to the employers in implementing such programs.

(6) The commute trip reduction plans adopted by counties, cities, and towns under this chapter shall be consistent with and may be incorporated in applicable state or regional transportation plans and local comprehensive plans and shall be coordinated, and consistent with, the commute trip reduction plans of counties, cities, or towns with which the county, city, or town has, in part, common borders or related regional issues. Such regional issues shall include assuring consistency in the treatment of employers who have worksites subject to the requirements of this chapter in more than one jurisdiction. Counties, cities, or towns adopting commute trip reduction plans may enter into agreements through the interlocal cooperation act or by resolution or ordinance as appropriate with other jurisdictions, local transit agencies, or regional transportation planning organizations to coordinate the development and implementation of such plans. Transit agencies shall work with counties, cities, and towns to take into account the location of major employer worksites when planning transit service changes or the expansion of public transportation services. Counties, cities, or towns adopting a commute trip reduction plan shall review it annually and revise it as necessary to be consistent with applicable plans developed under RCW 36.70A.070.

(7) Each county, city, or town implementing a commute trip reduction program shall, within thirty days submit a summary of its plan along with certification of adoption to the commute trip reduction task force established under RCW 70.94.537.

(8) Each county, city, or town implementing a commute trip reduction program shall submit an annual progress report to the commute trip reduction task force established under RCW 70.94.537. The report shall be due July 1, 1994, and each July 1st thereafter through July 1, 2006. The report shall describe progress in attaining the applicable commute trip reduction goals for each commute trip reduction zone and shall highlight any problems being encountered in achieving the goals. The information shall be reported in a form established by the commute trip reduction task force.

(9) Any waivers or modifications of the requirements of a commute trip reduction plan granted by a jurisdiction shall be submitted for review to the commute trip reduction task force established under RCW 70.94.537. The commute trip reduction task force may not deny the granting of a waiver or modification of the requirements of a commute trip reduction plan by a jurisdiction but they may notify the jurisdiction of any comments or objections.

(10) Each county, city, or town implementing a commute trip reduction program shall count commute trips eliminated through work-at- home options or alternate work schedules as one and two-tenths vehicle trips eliminated for the purpose of meeting trip reduction goals.

(11) Each county, city, or town implementing a commute trip reduction program shall ensure that employers that have modified their employees' work schedules so that some or all employees are not scheduled to arrive at work between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. are provided credit when calculating single-occupancy vehicle use and vehicle miles traveled at that worksite. This credit shall be awarded if implementation of the schedule change was an identified element in that worksite's approved commute trip reduction program or if the schedule change occurred because of impacts associated with chapter 36.70A RCW, the growth management act.

(12) Plans implemented under this section shall not apply to commute trips for seasonal agricultural employees.

(13) Plans implemented under this section shall not apply to construction worksites when the expected duration of the construction project is less than two years.

Sec. 12. RCW 82.08.0287 and 2001 c 320 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

The tax imposed by this chapter shall not apply to sales of passenger motor vehicles which are to be used for commuter ride sharing or ride sharing for persons with special transportation needs, as defined in RCW 46.74.010, if the vehicles are used as ride-sharing vehicles for thirty-six consecutive months beginning from the date of purchase.

To qualify for the tax exemption, those passenger motor vehicles with five or six passengers, including the driver, used for commuter ride-sharing, must be operated ((either)) within ((the state's eight largest)) counties that ((are required to)) develop commute trip reduction plans as directed by chapter 70.94 RCW or in other counties, or cities and towns within those counties, that elect to adopt and implement a commute trip reduction plan. Additionally at least one of the following conditions must apply: (1) The vehicle must be operated by a public transportation agency for the general public; or (2) the vehicle must be used by a major employer, as defined in RCW 70.94.524 as an element of its commute trip reduction program for their employees; or (3) the vehicle must be owned and operated by individual employees and must be registered either with the employer as part of its commute trip reduction program or with a public transportation agency serving the area where the employees live or work. Individual employee owned and operated motor vehicles will require certification that the vehicle is registered with a major employer or a public transportation agency. Major employers who own and operate motor vehicles for their employees must certify that the commuter ride- sharing arrangement conforms to a carpool/vanpool element contained within their commute trip reduction program or used primarily for van or car pooling purposes.

Sec. 13. RCW 82.12.0282 and 2001 c 320 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

The tax imposed by this chapter shall not apply with respect to the use of passenger motor vehicles used as ride-sharing vehicles by not less than five persons, including the driver, with a gross vehicle weight not to exceed 10,000 pounds where the primary usage is for commuter ride-sharing, as defined in RCW 46.74.010, by not less than four persons including the driver when at least two of those persons are confined to wheelchairs when riding, or passenger motor vehicles where the primary usage is for ride-sharing for persons with special transportation needs, as defined in RCW 46.74.010, if the vehicles are used as ride-sharing vehicles for thirty-six consecutive months beginning with the date of first use.

Sec. 14. RCW 82.44.015 and 1996 c 244 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:

For the purposes of this chapter, in addition to the exclusions under RCW 82.44.010, "motor vehicle" shall not include passenger motor vehicles used primarily for commuter ride sharing and ride sharing for persons with special transportation needs, as defined in RCW 46.74.010. The registered owner of one of these vehicles shall notify the department of licensing upon termination of primary use of the vehicle in commuter ride sharing or ride sharing for persons with special transportation needs and shall be liable for the tax imposed by this chapter, prorated on the remaining months for which the vehicle is licensed.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 15. Sections 1 through 8 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 82 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 16. The code reviser shall place cross- reference sections to chapter 82.-- RCW (sections 1 through 8 of this act) in chapters 82.04 and 82.16 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 17. (1) Sections 1 through 10, 15, and 16 of this act take effect July 1, 2004, but only if legislation that provides additional revenues, excluding transfers, for the multimodal transportation account is in effect on that date.

(2) Sections 11 through 14 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and take effect July 1, 2003.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 18. Captions used in this act are not part of the law."

ESHB 2228 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Highways & Transportation

ADOPTED AS AMENDED 04/15/2003

On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "incentives;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 70.94.527, 82.08.0287, 82.12.0282, and 82.44.015; adding a new section to chapter 70.94 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 82 RCW; creating new sections; repealing RCW 82.04.4453, 82.04.4454, 82.16.048, 82.16.049, and 47.01.900; prescribing penalties; providing an effective date; providing a contingent effective date; providing expiration dates; and declaring an emergency."

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