Title: An act relating to mileage fees for diesel.

Brief Description: Concerning mileage fees for diesel.

Sponsors: Representatives Morris, Simpson, Wallace and Chase.

Brief History:

Transportation: 2/1/06, 2/2/06 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 28 members: Representatives Murray, Chair; Wallace, Vice Chair; Woods, Ranking Minority Member; Skinner, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Buck, Campbell, Clibborn, Curtis, Dickerson, Flannigan, Hankins, Holmquist, Hudgins, Jarrett, Kilmer, Lovick, Morris, Nixon, Rodne, Schindler, Sells, Shabro, Simpson, B. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove and Wood.

Staff: Beth Redfield (786-7347).

Background:

In addition to weight fees, airporter and commercial bus companies pay a vehicle license fee based on intrastate mileage that is deposited in the Motor Vehicle Fund. The fee for vehicles powered by gasoline is 15 cents per 100 miles traveled and the fee for vehicles using diesel, natural gas, other special fuels, electricity, or steam is 20 cents per 100 miles traveled.

Summary of Bill:

The higher fee per 100 miles traveled paid for vehicles using alternative fuels is deleted. Vehicles powered by diesel, natural gas, electricity, or other fuels will pay the same fee as paid for gasoline powered vehicles.

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: The higher fee is a disincentive to use alternative fuels. Airporter and bus companies are interested in using alternative fuels and would like to see the disincentive eliminated.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Morris, prime sponsor; and David Danner, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.