BILL REQ. #:  H-0500.2 

Read first time 01/20/2003.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to tolls on the major mountain pass highways; and adding a new section to chapter 47.56 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 47.56 RCW to read as follows:
     The commission shall establish toll facilities on segments of the state highway system that cross a major mountain pass, subject to the following conditions:
     (1) Tolls may be collected only on Stevens Pass (SR 2), Snoqualmie Pass (SR 90), and White Pass (SR 12);
     (2) The tolls must cover the full cost of establishing and operating the toll-collection facilities;
     (3) The tolls must recover the cost of maintaining and operating the sections of state highways through the mountain passes identified in subsection (1) of this section at a rate equal to or greater than the rate at which fares on the Washington State Ferries recover the costs of maintaining and operating the state ferry system;
     (4) Tolls must be collected from traffic in both directions on the authorized passes.