FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5556

C 272 L 09

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning toll enforcement for infractions detected through the use of a photo enforcement system.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Kilmer, Carrell and Kauffman).

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committee on Transportation

Background: Drivers that do not pay a toll when required on the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge are subject to an infraction. The infraction is $40 plus an additional toll penalty of three time the cash toll for a standard passenger car during peak hours, currently $4. The court remits the toll penalty to the Washington State Department of Transportation (DOT) and it is deposited into the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Toll Account.

Any reduction in the total penalty imposed is made proportionally between the $40 infraction penalty and the toll penalty.

Summary: Any reduction in the Tacoma Narrows Bridge toll infraction must be made only to the infraction penalty. The toll penalty may not be reduced. If the driver is found to have not committed an infraction, the driver must pay the toll due at the time the photograph was taken, unless the toll has already been paid.

Additionally, DOT is to report to the Legislature by December 1, 2009, with recommendations for implementing a time period allowing for the payment of tolls on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge prior to the issuance of an infraction.

Votes on Final Passage: