NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. As efforts have been underway to evaluate the possible future use of a road usage charge for motor vehicle travel, the legislature recognizes that significant public concern has emerged over the prospect of double taxation for motor vehicle travel on public highways in the state. The legislature recognizes that the state fuel excise tax may be supplemented or supplanted at some time in the future by a road usage charge for motor vehicles, and would like to provide the public with an assurance that individuals will not be required to pay both over the same time period by prohibiting this form of double taxation of the same activity. The legislature does not intend for any individual to be responsible for both at the same time. Rather, the legislature believes that any transition from a state fuel excise tax to a road usage charge that may be relied on in the future to provide funding for the transportation system must shift to a road usage charge without, for any period of time, placing a double taxation burden on any member of the public. The legislature also believes that, like the state fuel excise tax, any revenue from a road usage charge for motor vehicle travel should be reserved exclusively for highway purposes.

THAT, At the next general election to be held in this state the secretary of state shall submit to the qualified voters of the state for their approval and ratification, or rejection, an amendment to Article VII and Article II of the Constitution of the state of Washington by adding new sections to read as follows:

Article VII, section . . .. No person required to pay the state motor vehicle fuel excise tax may be assessed a road usage charge for motor vehicle travel that occurs during the same time period for which the person is required to pay the state fuel excise tax for motor vehicle travel. This section does not prohibit a road usage charge for motor vehicle travel and a state fuel excise tax for motor vehicle travel from both being assessed at the same time provided that no person is required to pay both a road usage charge and a state fuel excise tax for the same period of time.

Article II, section . . .. Revenue collected by the state from a road usage charge for motor vehicle travel is reserved exclusively for highway purposes. Revenue collected by the state as a road usage charge for motor vehicle travel shall be paid into the state treasury and placed in a special fund to be used exclusively for highway purposes, and may only be used for the highway purposes permitted under Article II, section 40 of this Constitution.

The legislature finds that the changes contained in this amendment constitute a single integrated plan for limiting the manner in which a road usage charge may be implemented. If this amendment is held to be separate amendments, this joint resolution is void in its entirety and is of no further force and effect.