Title: An act relating to studying toll discounts.

Brief Description: Studying toll discounts.

Sponsors: Representatives Appleton, Green, Kilmer, Woods, Flannigan, Campbell, Lantz, Williams, Hunt, Darneille, Kirby, Chase, Eickmeyer and Conway.

Brief History:

Transportation: 2/24/05, 3/3/05 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 21 members: Representatives Murray, Chair; Wallace, Vice Chair; Woods, Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Campbell, Dickerson, Ericksen, Hankins, Hudgins, Jarrett, Kilmer, Lovick, Morris, Nixon, Rodne, Sells, Simpson, B. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove and Wood.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 5 members: Representatives Skinner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Buck, Curtis, Schindler and Shabro.

Staff: Gary Lebow (786-7304).

Background:

The Tacoma Narrows Bridge toll project is authorized in 47.46 RCW. A Citizen Advisory Committee is required for each project developed under 47.46 RCW. The nine committee members are appointed by the Governor and must be permanent residents of the affected project area. The advisory committee advises the Transportation Commission, the toll setting authority, on all matters relating to the setting of tolls. No toll charge may be imposed or modified unless the advisory committee has been given at least 20 days to review and comment on the proposed toll schedule.

The project is currently under construction and is scheduled to begin collecting tolls in April, 2007. The members of the Citizen Advisory Committee have not been appointed at this time.

Summary of Bill:

The WSDOT is directed to conduct a study on the feasibility of offering toll discounts to frequent users, senior citizens, students and low-income families. The study is due to the transportation committees of the Legislature by June 30, 2006.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: Discounts are very important for the users. These discounts could be implemented with pre-qualified discount cards or transponders.

It just makes sense to study your options before the tolls are implemented.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Gene Straw, Silverdale Chamber of Commerce; Bryan Petro, Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce; David Pope, Washington State Department of Transportation; and Terry Lee, Pierce County Council.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.