HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2642

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Title: An act relating to the deadline for annual regulatory fees for charter party and excursion service carriers.

Brief Description: Modifying the deadline for annual regulatory fees for charter party and excursion service carriers.

Sponsors: Representatives Walkinshaw, Kochmar, Clibborn and Klippert; by request of Utilities & Transportation Commission.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation: 2/3/14, 2/4/14 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/17/14, 96-0.

Passed House: 2/17/14, 97-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

Changes the date by which passenger charter carriers must pay their annual regulatory fee from December 31 to May 1.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 31 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Farrell, Vice Chair; Fey, Vice Chair; Moscoso, Vice Chair; Orcutt, Ranking Minority Member; Hargrove, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Overstreet, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bergquist, Fitzgibbon, Freeman, Habib, Hawkins, Hayes, Johnson, Klippert, Kochmar, Moeller, Morris, Muri, Ortiz-Self, Pike, Riccelli, Rodne, Ryu, Sells, Shea, Takko, Tarleton, Walkinshaw, Young and Zeiger.

Background:

The Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) regulates various transportation businesses, including railroads, commercial ferries, and passenger charter carriers. Entities regulated by the UTC are required to provide an annual report to the UTC and to pay an annual fee. These regulatory fees must be deposited in the Public Service Revolving Fund.

Summary of Bill:

Passenger charter carriers are required to pay an annual regulatory fee by May 1 of each year, to cover operations for the year in which the fee is paid.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill only moves the collection of annual fees from December 31 to May 1, helping the UTC's administration.

Entities regulated by the UTC are generally required to pay their regulatory fees by May 1, but passenger charter carriers are required to pay on December 31. This imposes an administrative burden on the UTC and certain businesses. This is just an efficiency bill for the UTC to sync everything on one date.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Walkinshaw, prime sponsor; and Ann Rendahl, Utilities and Transportation Commission.