The legislature finds that increasing the rate of adoption of electric vehicles and vessels and other clean alternative fuel vehicles will help to reduce harmful air pollution from exhaust emissions, including greenhouse gas emissions, in the state. The legislature also finds that an increased reliance on greener transit options will help to further reduce harmful air pollution from exhaust emissions. The legislature further finds that support for clean alternative fuel infrastructure can help to increase adoption of green transportation in the state, as noted in a 2015 joint transportation committee report. It is therefore the legislature's intent to drive green vehicle and vessel adoption and increased green transit use by: (1) Establishing and extending tax incentive programs for alternative fuel vehicles and related infrastructure, including for commercial vehicles; (2) providing funding for a capital grant program to assist transit authorities in reducing the carbon output of their fleets; (3) increasing public and private electric utilities' ability to invest in electric vehicle charging infrastructure; (4) establishing a technical assistance program for public agencies within the Washington State University's energy program; (5) funding a pilot program to test methods for facilitating access to alternative fuel vehicles and alternative fuel vehicle infrastructure by low-income residents of the state; (6) funding a study to examine opportunities to provide financing assistance to lower-income residents of the state who would like to purchase an electric vehicle; and (7) establishing a tax incentive program for certain electric vessels.
(1) Before accepting an application for an annual vehicle registration renewal for a vehicle that both (a) uses at least one method of propulsion that is capable of being reenergized by an external source of electricity and (b) is capable of traveling at least thirty miles using only battery power, the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director must require the applicant to pay a one hundred dollar fee in addition to any other fees and taxes required by law. The one hundred dollar fee is due only at the time of annual registration renewal.
(2) This section only applies to a vehicle that is designed to have the capability to drive at a speed of more than thirty-five miles per hour.
(3)(a)
(b)
(i) Seventy percent to the motor vehicle fund created in RCW 46.68.070;
(ii) Fifteen percent to the transportation improvement account created in RCW 47.26.084; and
(iii) Fifteen percent to the rural arterial trust account created in RCW 36.79.020.
(4)(a) In addition to the fee established in subsection (1) of this section, before accepting an application for an annual vehicle registration renewal for a vehicle that both (i) uses at least one method of propulsion that is capable of being reenergized by an external source of electricity and (ii) is capable of traveling at least thirty miles using only battery power, the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director must require the applicant to pay a
(b) The fee required under (a) of this subsection must be
(5) This section applies to annual vehicle registration renewals until the effective date of enacted legislation that imposes a vehicle miles traveled fee or tax.
(1) The governing authority of an electric utility formed under this chapter may adopt an electrification of transportation plan that, at a minimum, establishes a finding that utility outreach and investment in the electrification of transportation infrastructure does not increase net costs to ratepayers in excess of one-quarter of one percent.
(2) In adopting an electrification of transportation plan under subsection (1) of this section, the governing authority may consider some or all of the following: (a) The applicability of multiple options for electrification of transportation across all customer classes; (b) the impact of electrification on the utility's load, and whether demand response or other load management opportunities, including direct load control and dynamic pricing, are operationally appropriate; (c) system reliability and distribution system efficiencies; (d) interoperability concerns, including the interoperability of hardware and software systems in electrification of transportation proposals; and (e) overall customer experience.
(3) An electric utility formed under this chapter may, upon making a determination in accordance with subsection (1) of this section, offer incentive programs in the electrification of transportation for its customers, including the promotion of electric vehicle adoption and advertising programs to promote the utility's services, incentives, or rebates.
(1)
(2) The department must define corridors in which bidders may propose to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure
(3)(a) For bid proposals under this section, the department must require the following:
(i) Bidders must have private sector partners contributing to the project who stand to gain indirect value from development of the project, such as motor vehicle manufacturers, retail stores, or tourism stakeholders;
(ii) Bidders must demonstrate that the proposed project will be valuable to
(iii) Projects must be expected to be profitable and sustainable for the owner-operator and the private partner; and
(iv) Bidders must specify how the project captures the indirect value of charging
(b) The department may adopt rules that require any other criteria for a successful project.
(4) In evaluating proposals under this section, the department may use the electric vehicle financial analysis tool that was developed in the joint transportation committee's study into financing electric vehicle charging station infrastructure.
(5)(a) After selecting a successful proposer under this section, the department may provide a loan or grant to the proposer.
(b) Grants and loans issued under this subsection must be funded from the electric vehicle
(c) Any project selected for support under this section is eligible for only one grant or loan as a part of the
(6) The department may conduct preliminary workshops with potential bidders and other potential private sector partners to determine the best method of designing
(7) The department must adopt rules to implement
(1) The commission of a public utility district may adopt an electrification of transportation plan that, at a minimum, establishes a finding that outreach and investment in the electrification of transportation infrastructure does not increase net costs to ratepayers in excess of one-quarter of one percent.
(2) In adopting an electrification of transportation plan under subsection (1) of this section, the commission of a public utility district may consider some or all of the following: (a) The applicability of multiple options for electrification of transportation across all customer classes; (b) the impact of electrification on the district's load, and whether demand response or other load management opportunities, including direct load control and dynamic pricing, are operationally appropriate; (c) system reliability and distribution system efficiencies; (d) interoperability concerns, including the interoperability of hardware and software systems in electrification of transportation proposals; and (e) overall customer experience.
(3) A public utility district may, upon making a determination in accordance with subsection (1) of this section, offer incentive programs in the electrification of transportation for its customers, including the promotion of electric vehicle adoption and advertising programs to promote the district's services, incentives, or rebates.
(1) An electric utility regulated by the utilities and transportation commission under this chapter may submit to the commission an electrification of transportation plan that deploys electric vehicle supply equipment or provides other electric transportation programs, services, or incentives to support electrification of transportation, provided that such electric vehicle supply equipment, programs, or services may not increase costs to customers in excess of one-quarter of one percent above the benefits of electric transportation to all customers over a period consistent with the utility's planning horizon under its most recent integrated resource plan.
(2) In reviewing an electrification of transportation plan under subsection (1) of this section, the commission may consider the following: (a) The applicability of multiple options for electrification of transportation across all customer classes; (b) the impact of electrification on the utility's load, and whether demand response or other load management opportunities, including direct load control and dynamic pricing, are operationally appropriate; (c) system reliability and distribution system efficiencies; (d) interoperability concerns, including the interoperability of hardware and software systems in electrification of transportation proposals; (e) the benefits and costs of the planned actions; and (f) the overall customer experience.
(3) The commission must issue an acknowledgment of an electrification of transportation plan within six months of the submittal of the plan. The commission may establish by rule the requirements for preparation and submission of an electrification of transportation plan. An electric utility may submit a plan under this section before or during rule-making proceedings.
(1) In establishing rates for each electrical company regulated under this title, the commission may allow an incentive rate of return on investment
(2) An incentive rate of return on investment under this section may be allowed only if the company chooses to pursue capital investment in electric vehicle supply equipment on a fully regulated basis similar to other capital investments behind a customer's meter. In the case of an incentive rate of return on investment allowed under this section, an increment of up to two percent must be added to the rate of return on common equity allowed on the company's other investments.
(3) The incentive rate of return on investment authorized in subsection (2) of this section applies only to projects which have been installed after July 1, 2015
(4) The incentive rate of return on investment increment pursuant to this section may be earned only for a period up to the depreciable life of the electric vehicle supply equipment as defined in the depreciation schedules developed by the company and submitted to the commission for review. When the capital investment has fully depreciated, an electrical company may gift the electric vehicle supply equipment to the owner of the property on which it is located.
(5) By December 31, 2017, the commission must report to the appropriate committees of the legislature with regard to the use of any incentives allowed under this section, the quantifiable impacts of the incentives on actual electric vehicle deployment, and any recommendations to the legislature about utility participation in the electric vehicle market.
This section is the tax preference performance statement for the tax preferences contained in sections 10 through 16, chapter . . ., Laws of 2019 (sections 10 through 16 of this act). The performance statement is only intended to be used for subsequent evaluation of the tax preference. It is not intended to create a private right of action by any party or be used to determine eligibility for preferential tax treatment.
(1) The legislature categorizes the tax preferences as ones intended to induce certain designated behavior by taxpayers, as indicated in RCW 82.32.808(2)(a).
(2) It is the legislature's specific public policy objective to increase the use of clean alternative fuel vehicles in Washington. It is the legislature's intent to establish and extend tax incentive programs for alternative fuel vehicles and related infrastructure by: (a) Reinstating the sales and use tax exemption on certain clean alternative fuel vehicles in order to reduce the price charged to customers for clean alternative fuel vehicles; (b) extending the business and occupation and public utility tax credit for clean alternative fuel commercial vehicles and expanding it to include clean alternative fuel infrastructure; (c) extending the sales and use tax exemption for electric vehicle batteries and infrastructure and expanding it to include the electric battery component of electric buses and zero emissions buses; and (d) extending the leasehold excise tax exemption to tenants of public lands for electric vehicle infrastructure.
(3) To measure the effectiveness of the tax preferences in sections 10 through 16, chapter . . ., Laws of 2019 (sections 10 through 16 of this act) in achieving the public policy objectives described in subsection (2) of this section, the joint legislative audit and review committee must evaluate the number of clean alternative fuel vehicles titled in the state.
(4) In order to obtain the data necessary to perform the review in subsection (3) of this section, the department of licensing and the department of revenue must provide data needed for the joint legislative audit and review committee analysis. In addition to the data source described under this subsection, the joint legislative audit and review committee may use any other data it deems necessary.
(1)(a)
Gross Vehicle Weight |
Incremental Cost Amount |
Maximum Credit Amount Per Vehicle |
Maximum Annual Credit Per Vehicle Class |
Up to 14,000 pounds |
$25,000 |
$2,000,000 |
|
14,001 to 26,500 pounds |
$50,000 |
$2,000,000 |
|
Above 26,500 pounds |
$100,000 |
$2,000,000 |
(b) On September 1st of each year
(c) The credit provided in
(2) A person who is taxable under this chapter is allowed, subject to the maximum annual credit per
(3) The total credits under
(4) A person may not receive credit under this section for amounts claimed as credits under chapter 82.16 RCW.
(5) Credits are available on a first-in-time basis.
(6) For the purposes of the limits provided in this section, a credit must be counted against such limits for the calendar year in which the credit is earned.
(7) To claim a credit under this section a person must electronically file with the department all returns, forms, and any other information required by the department, in an electronic format as provided or approved by the department. No refunds may be granted for credits under this section.
(8) To claim a credit under this section, the person applying must:
(a) Complete an application for the credit which must include:
(i) The name, business address, and tax identification number of the applicant;
(ii) A quote or unexecuted copy of the purchase requisition or order for the vehicle
(iii) The type of alternative fuel to be used by the vehicle
(iv) The incremental cost of the alternative fuel system
(v) The anticipated delivery date of the vehicle
(vi) The estimated annual fuel use of the vehicle in the anticipated duties
(vii) The gross weight of each vehicle
(viii) For leased vehicles, a copy of the lease contract that includes the gross capitalized cost, residual value, and name of the lessee; and
(ix) Any other information deemed necessary by the department to support administration or reporting of the program.
(b) Within fifteen days of notice of credit availability from the department, provide notice of intent to claim the credit including:
(i) A copy of the order for the vehicle
(ii) The anticipated delivery date of the vehicle
(iii)
(c) Provide final documentation within
(i) A copy of the final invoice for the vehicle
(ii) A copy of the factory build sheet or equivalent documentation;
(iii) The vehicle identification number of each vehicle;
(iv) The incremental cost of the alternative fuel system
(v) Attestations signed by both the seller and purchaser of each vehicle attesting that the incremental cost of the alternative fuel system includes only the costs necessary for the vehicle to run on alternative fuel and no other vehicle options, equipment, or costs; and
(vi) Any other information deemed necessary by the department to support administration or reporting of the program.
(9) A person applying for credit under subsection (8) of this section may apply for multiple vehicles on the same application, but the application must include the required information for each vehicle included in the application.
(10) To administer the credits, the department must, at a minimum:
(a) Provide notification on its web site monthly of the amount of credits that have been applied for, claimed, and the amount remaining before the statewide annual limit
(b) Within fifteen days of receipt of the application, notify persons applying of the availability of tax credits in the year in which the vehicles
(c) Within fifteen days of receipt of the notice of intent to claim the tax credit, notify the applicant of the approval, denial, or missing information in their notice; and
(d) Within fifteen days of receipt of final documentation, review the documentation and notify the person applying of the acceptance of their final documentation.
(11) If a person fails to supply the information as required in subsection (8) of this section, the department must deny the application.
(12)(a) Taxpayers are only eligible for a credit under this section based on:
(i) Sales or leases of new commercial vehicles and qualifying used commercial vehicles with propulsion units that are principally powered by a clean alternative fuel;
(ii) Costs to modify a commercial vehicle, including sales of tangible personal property incorporated into the vehicle and labor or service expenses incurred in modifying the vehicle, to be principally powered by a clean alternative fuel
(b) A credit is earned when the purchaser or the lessee takes receipt of the qualifying commercial vehicle or
(13) A credit earned during one calendar year may be carried over to be credited against taxes incurred in the subsequent calendar year, but may not be carried over a second year.
(14)(a) Beginning November 25, 2015, and on the 25th of February, May, August, and November of each year thereafter, the department must notify the state treasurer of the amount of credits taken under this section as reported on returns filed with the department during the preceding calendar quarter ending on the last day of December, March, June, and September, respectively.
(b) On the last day of March, June, September, and December of each year, the state treasurer, based upon information provided by the department, must transfer a sum equal to the dollar amount of the credit provided under this section from the multimodal transportation account to the general fund.
(15)
(a)
(i) Have an odometer reading of less than four hundred fifty thousand miles;
(ii) Are less than ten years past their original date of manufacture;
(iii) Were modified after the initial purchase with a United States environmental protection agency certified conversion that would allow the propulsion units to be principally powered by a clean alternative fuel; and
(iv) Are being sold for the first time after modification.
(1) Beginning with sales made or lease agreements signed on or after the qualification period start date:
(a) The tax levied by RCW 82.08.020 does not apply as provided in (b) of this subsection to sales or leases of new or used passenger cars, light duty trucks, and medium duty passenger vehicles that:
(i) Are exclusively powered by a clean alternative fuel; or
(ii) Use at least one method of propulsion that is capable of being reenergized by an external source of electricity and are capable of traveling at least thirty miles using only battery power; and
(iii)(A) Have a vehicle selling price plus trade-in property of like kind that does not exceed forty-five thousand dollars; or
(B) Have a fair market value at the inception of the lease that does not exceed forty-five thousand dollars;
(b)(i) The exemption in this section is applicable for up to the amounts specified in (b)(ii) or (iii) of this subsection of:
(A) The total amount of the vehicle's selling price, for sales made; or
(B) The total lease payments made plus any additional selling price of the leased vehicle if the original lessee purchases the leased vehicle before the qualification period end date, for lease agreements signed.
(ii) Based on the purchase date or the date the lease agreement was signed of the vehicle if the vehicle is new at the time of the purchase date or the date the lease agreement was signed:
(A) From the qualification period start date until July 31, 2021, the maximum amount eligible under (b)(i) of this subsection is thirty-two thousand dollars;
(B) From August 1, 2021, until July 31, 2023, the maximum amount eligible under (b)(i) of this subsection is twenty-four thousand dollars;
(C) From August 1, 2023, until July 31, 2025, the maximum amount eligible under (b)(i) of this subsection is sixteen thousand dollars.
(iii) If the vehicle is used at the time of the purchase date or the date the lease agreement was signed, the maximum amount eligible under (b)(i) of this subsection is sixteen thousand dollars.
(2) The seller must keep records necessary for the department to verify eligibility under this section. A person claiming the exemption must also submit itemized information to the department for all vehicles for which an exemption is claimed that must include the following: Vehicle make; vehicle model; model year; whether the vehicle has been sold or leased; date of sale or start date of lease; length of lease; sales price for purchased vehicles and fair market value at the inception of the lease for leased vehicles; and the total amount qualifying for the incentive claimed for each vehicle, in addition to the future monthly amount to be claimed for each leased vehicle. This information must be provided in a form and manner prescribed by the department.
(3)(a) The department of licensing must maintain and publish a list of all vehicle models that meet the qualifying criteria in subsection (1)(a)(i) or (ii) of this section and section 12(1)(a)(i) or (ii) of this act until the expiration date of this section, and is authorized to issue final rulings on vehicle model qualification for these criteria. A seller is not responsible for repayment of the tax exemption under this section and section 12 of this act for a vehicle if the department of licensing's published list of qualifying vehicle models on the purchase date or the date the lease agreement was signed includes the vehicle model and the department of licensing subsequently removes the vehicle model from the published list, provided the vehicle meets the applicable qualifying criterion under subsection (1)(a)(iii) of this section and section 12(1)(a)(iii) of this act.
(b) The department of revenue retains responsibility for determining whether a vehicle meets the applicable qualifying criterion under subsection (1)(a)(iii) of this section and section 12(1)(a)(iii) of this act.
(4) On the last day of January, April, July, and October
(5) By the last day of October 2019, and every six months thereafter until this section expires, based on the best available data, the department must report the following information to the transportation committees of the legislature: The cumulative number of vehicles that qualified for the exemption under this section and section 12 of this act by month of purchase or lease start and vehicle make and model; the dollar amount of all state retail sales and use taxes exempted on or after the qualification period start date, under this section and section 12 of this act; and estimates of the future costs of leased vehicles that qualified for the exemption under this section and section 12 of this act.
(6) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(a) "Clean alternative fuel" means natural gas, propane, hydrogen, or electricity, when used as a fuel in a motor vehicle that meets the California motor vehicle emission standards in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations, effective January 1, 2019, and the rules of the Washington state department of ecology.
(b) "Fair market value" has the same meaning as "value of the article used" in RCW 82.12.010.
(c) "Qualification period end date" means August 1, 2025.
(d) "Qualification period start date" means the effective date of this section.
(e) "Used vehicle" has the same meaning as in RCW 46.04.660.
(7)(a) Sales of vehicles delivered to the buyer or leased vehicles for which the lease agreement was signed after the qualification period end date do not qualify for the exemption under this section.
(b) All leased vehicles that qualified for the exemption under this section before the qualification period end date must continue to receive the exemption as described under subsection (1)(b) of this section on any lease payments due through the remainder of the lease before the expiration date of this section.
(8) This section expires August 1, 2028.
(1) Beginning with sales made or lease agreements signed on or after the qualification period start date:
(a) The provisions of this chapter do not apply as provided in (b) of this subsection in respect to the use of new or used passenger cars, light duty trucks, and medium duty passenger vehicles that:
(i) Are exclusively powered by a clean alternative fuel; or
(ii) Use at least one method of propulsion that is capable of being reenergized by an external source of electricity and are capable of traveling at least thirty miles using only battery power; and
(iii)(A) Have a fair market value that, at the time use tax is imposed for purchased vehicles, does not exceed forty-five thousand dollars; or
(B) Have a fair market value that, at the inception of the lease for leased vehicles, does not exceed forty-five thousand dollars;
(b)(i) The exemption in this section is only applicable for up to the amounts specified in (b)(ii) or (iii) of this subsection of:
(A) The total amount of the vehicle's purchase price, for sales made; or
(B) The total lease payments made plus any additional purchase price of the leased vehicle if the original lessee purchases the leased vehicle before the qualification period end date, for lease agreements signed.
(ii) Based on the purchase date or the date the lease agreement was signed of the vehicle if the vehicle is new at the time of the purchase date or the date the lease agreement was signed:
(A) From the qualification period start date until July 31, 2021, the maximum amount eligible under (b)(i) of this subsection is thirty-two thousand dollars;
(B) From August 1, 2021, until July 31, 2023, the maximum amount eligible under (b)(i) of this subsection is twenty-four thousand dollars;
(C) From August 1, 2023, until July 31, 2025, the maximum amount eligible under (b)(i) of this subsection is sixteen thousand dollars.
(iii) If the vehicle is used at the time of the purchase date or the date the lease agreement was signed, the maximum amount eligible under (b)(i) of this subsection is sixteen thousand dollars.
(2)(a) The seller must keep records necessary for the department to verify eligibility under this section, except as provided in (b) of this subsection. A person claiming the exemption must also submit itemized information to the department for all vehicles for which an exemption is claimed that must include the following: Vehicle make; vehicle model; model year; whether the vehicle has been sold or leased; date of sale or start date of lease; length of lease; fair market value of the vehicle; and the total amount qualifying for the incentive claimed for each vehicle, in addition to the future monthly amount to be claimed for each leased vehicle. This information must be provided in a form and manner prescribed by the department.
(b) (a) of this subsection applies only if the seller or person claiming the exemption is a vehicle dealer, as defined under RCW 46.70.011. When the seller is not a vehicle dealer, the department of licensing shall establish a process for granting the tax exemption under this section for use tax otherwise collected at the time the ownership of a vehicle is transferred when the vehicle qualifies for the use tax exemption under subsection (1)(a) of this section, and must provide any information required under (a) of this subsection that it obtains as part of the vehicle titling and registration process for these vehicles to the department on at least a quarterly basis.
(3) On the last day of January, April, July, and October of each year, the state treasurer, based upon information provided by the department, must transfer from the electric vehicle account to the general fund a sum equal to the dollar amount that would otherwise have been deposited into the general fund during the prior calendar quarter but for the exemption provided in this section. Information provided by the department to the state treasurer must be based on the best available data.
(4)(a) Vehicles purchased or leased vehicles for which the lease agreement was signed after the qualification period end date do not qualify for the exemption under this section.
(b) All leased vehicles that qualified for the exemption under this section before the qualification period end date must continue to receive the exemption as described under subsection (1)(b) of this section on any lease payments due through the remainder of the lease before the expiration date of this section.
(5) The definitions in section 11 of this act apply to this section.
(6) This section expires August 1, 2028.
(1) The tax imposed by RCW 82.08.020 does not apply to:
(a) The sale of batteries for electric vehicles
(b) The sale of or charge made for labor and services rendered in respect to installing, repairing, altering, or improving electric vehicle batteries;
(c) The sale of or charge made for labor and services rendered in respect to installing, constructing, repairing, or improving electric vehicle infrastructure;
(d) The sale of tangible personal property that will become a component of electric vehicle infrastructure during the course of installing, constructing, repairing, or improving electric vehicle infrastructure
(2) Sellers may make tax exempt sales under this section only if the buyer provides the seller with an exemption
(3) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(a) "Battery charging station" means an electrical component assembly or cluster of component assemblies designed specifically to charge batteries within electric vehicles, which meet or exceed any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.
(b) "Battery exchange station" means a fully automated facility that will enable an electric vehicle with a swappable battery to enter a drive lane and exchange the depleted battery with a fully charged battery through a fully automated process, which meets or exceeds any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.
(c) "Electric vehicle infrastructure" means structures, machinery, and equipment necessary and integral to support an electric vehicle, including battery charging stations, rapid charging stations, and battery exchange stations.
(d) "Rapid charging station" means an industrial grade electrical outlet that allows for faster recharging of electric vehicle batteries through higher power levels, which meets or exceeds any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.
(4) This section expires
(1) The tax imposed by RCW 82.12.020 does not apply to the use of:
(a) Electric vehicle batteries
(b) Labor and services rendered in respect to installing, repairing, altering, or improving electric vehicle batteries;
(c) Tangible personal property that will become a component of electric vehicle infrastructure during the course of installing, constructing, repairing, or improving electric vehicle infrastructure
(2) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(a) "Battery charging station" means an electrical component assembly or cluster of component assemblies designed specifically to charge batteries within electric vehicles, which meet or exceed any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.
(b) "Battery exchange station" means a fully automated facility that will enable an electric vehicle with a swappable battery to enter a drive lane and exchange the depleted battery with a fully charged battery through a fully automated process, which meets or exceeds any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.
(c) "Electric vehicle infrastructure" means structures, machinery, and equipment necessary and integral to support an electric vehicle, including battery charging stations, rapid charging stations, and battery exchange stations.
(d) "Rapid charging station" means an industrial grade electrical outlet that allows for faster recharging of electric vehicle batteries through higher power levels, which meets or exceeds any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.
(3) This section expires
(1)(a)
Gross Vehicle Weight |
Incremental Cost Amount |
Maximum Credit Amount Per Vehicle |
Maximum Annual Credit Per Vehicle Class |
Up to 14,000 pounds |
$25,000 |
$2,000,000 |
|
14,001 to 26,500 pounds |
$50,000 |
$2,000,000 |
|
Above 26,500 pounds |
$100,000 |
$2,000,000 |
(b) On September 1st of each year
(c) The credit provided in
(2) A person who is taxable under this chapter is allowed, subject to the maximum annual credit per
(3) The total credits under
(4) A person may not receive credit under this section for amounts claimed as credits under chapter 82.04 RCW.
(5) Credits are available on a first-in-time basis.
(6) For the purposes of the limits provided in this section, a credit must be counted against such limits for the calendar year in which the credit is earned.
(7) To claim a credit under this section a person must electronically file with the department all returns, forms, and any other information required by the department, in an electronic format as provided or approved by the department. No refunds may be granted for credits under this section.
(8) To claim a credit under this section, the person applying must:
(a) Complete an application for the credit which must include:
(i) The name, business address, and tax identification number of the applicant;
(ii) A quote or unexecuted copy of the purchase requisition or order for the vehicle
(iii) The type of alternative fuel to be used by the vehicle
(iv) The incremental cost of the alternative fuel system
(v) The anticipated delivery date of the vehicle
(vi) The estimated annual fuel use of the vehicle in the anticipated duties
(vii) The gross weight of each vehicle
(viii) For leased vehicles, a copy of the lease contract that includes the gross capitalized cost, residual value, and name of the lessee; and
(ix) Any other information deemed necessary by the department to support administration or reporting of the program.
(b) Within fifteen days of notice of credit availability from the department, provide notice of intent to claim the credit including:
(i) A copy of the order for the vehicle
(ii) The anticipated delivery date of the vehicle
(iii)
(c) Provide final documentation within
(i) A copy of the final invoice for the vehicle
(ii) A copy of the factory build sheet or equivalent documentation;
(iii) The vehicle identification number of each vehicle;
(iv) The incremental cost of the alternative fuel system
(v) Attestations signed by both the seller and purchaser of the vehicle attesting that the incremental cost of the alternative fuel system includes only the costs necessary for the vehicle to run on alternative fuel and no other vehicle options, equipment, or costs; and
(vi) Any other information deemed necessary by the department to support administration or reporting of the program.
(9) A person applying for credit under subsection (8) of this section may apply for multiple vehicles on the same application, but the application must include the required information for each vehicle included in the application.
(10) To administer the credits, the department must, at a minimum:
(a) Provide notification on its web site monthly of the amount of credits that have been applied for, claimed, and the amount remaining before the statewide annual limit
(b) Within fifteen days of receipt of the application, notify persons applying of the availability of tax credits in the year in which the vehicles
(c) Within fifteen days of receipt of the notice of intent to claim the tax credit, notify the applicant of the approval, denial, or missing information in their notice; and
(d) Within fifteen days of receipt of final documentation, review the documentation and notify the person applying of the acceptance of their final documentation.
(11) If a person fails to supply the information as required in subsection (8) of this section, the department must deny the application.
(12)(a) Taxpayers are only eligible for a credit under this section based on:
(i) Sales or leases of new commercial vehicles and qualifying used commercial vehicles with propulsion units that are principally powered by a clean alternative fuel;
(ii) Costs to modify a commercial vehicle, including sales of tangible personal property incorporated into the vehicle and labor or service expenses incurred in modifying the vehicle, to be principally powered by a clean alternative fuel
(b) A credit is earned when the purchaser or the lessee takes receipt of the qualifying commercial vehicle or
(13) The definitions in RCW 82.04.4496 apply to this section.
(14) A credit earned during one calendar year may be carried over to be credited against taxes incurred in the subsequent calendar year, but may not be carried over a second year.
(15)(a) Beginning November 25, 2015, and on the 25th of February, May, August, and November of each year thereafter, the department must notify the state treasurer of the amount of credits taken under this section as reported on returns filed with the department during the preceding calendar quarter ending on the last day of December, March, June, and September, respectively.
(b) On the last day of March, June, September, and December of each year, the state treasurer, based upon information provided by the department, must transfer a sum equal to the dollar amount of the credit provided under this section from the multimodal transportation account to the general fund.
(16) Credits may be earned under this section from January 1, 2016,
(1) Leasehold excise tax may not be imposed on leases to tenants of public lands for purposes of installing, maintaining, and operating electric vehicle infrastructure.
(2) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(a) "Battery charging station" means an electrical component assembly or cluster of component assemblies designed specifically to charge batteries within electric vehicles, which meet or exceed any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.
(b) "Battery exchange station" means a fully automated facility that will enable an electric vehicle with a swappable battery to enter a drive lane and exchange the depleted battery with a fully charged battery through a fully automated process, which meets or exceeds any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.
(c) "Electric vehicle infrastructure" means structures, machinery, and equipment necessary and integral to support an electric vehicle, including battery charging stations, rapid charging stations, and battery exchange stations.
(d) "Rapid charging station" means an industrial grade electrical outlet that allows for faster recharging of electric vehicle batteries through higher power levels, which meets or exceeds any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.
(3) This section expires
The electric vehicle
(1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the department's public-private partnership office must develop a pilot program to support clean alternative fuel car sharing programs to provide clean alternative fuel vehicle use opportunities to underserved communities and low to moderate income members of the workforce not readily served by transit or located in transportation corridors with emissions that exceed federal or state emissions standards. Nonprofit organizations with a demonstrated history of managing or implementing low-income transportation clean alternative fuel and shared mobility pilot programs are eligible to participate in this program.
(2) The department must determine specific eligibility criteria, based on the requirements of this section, the report submitted to the legislature by the Puget Sound clean air agency entitled facilitating low-income utilization of electric vehicles, and other factors relevant to increasing clean alternative fuel vehicle use in underserved and low to moderate income communities. The department may adopt rules specifying the eligibility criteria it selects.
(3) The department may conduct preliminary workshops with potential bidders and other potential partners to determine the best method of designing the pilot program.
(4) The department must include the following elements in its proposal evaluation and scoring methodology: History of successful management of equity focused clean alternative fuel vehicle projects; substantial level of involvement from community-based, equity focused organizations in the project; plan for long-term financial sustainability of the work beyond the duration of the grant period; matching resources leveraged for the project; and geographical diversity of the projects selected.
(5) After selecting successful proposals under this section, the department may provide grant funding to them. The total grant amount available per project may range from fifty thousand to two hundred thousand dollars. The grant opportunity must include possible funding of vehicles, charging or refueling station infrastructure, staff time, and any other expenses required to implement the project. No more than ten percent of grant funds may be used for administrative expenses.
(6)(a) Any property acquired with state grant funding under this section by nongovernmental participants must be used solely for program purposes and, if sold, the proceeds of the sale must be used solely for program purposes.
(b) At the termination of a program for providing alternative fuel car sharing services, the state must be reimbursed for any property acquired with state grant funding under this section that nongovernmental participants in the program retain at the time of program termination. The amount of reimbursement may under no circumstances be less than the fair market value of the property at the time of the termination of the program.
Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the department of commerce must conduct a study to identify opportunities to reduce barriers to electric vehicle adoption by lower income residents of the state through the use of vehicle and infrastructure financing assistance. The study must include an assessment of opportunities to work with nonprofit lenders to facilitate vehicle purchases through the use of loan-loss reserves and rate buy downs by qualified borrowers purchasing electric vehicles that are eligible for the tax exemptions under sections 11 and 12 of this act, and may address additional financing assistance opportunities identified. The study must focus on potential borrowers who are at or below eighty percent of the state median household income. The study may also address any additional opportunities identified to increase electric vehicle adoption by lower income residents of the state.
The department of commerce must provide a report detailing the findings of this study to the transportation committees of the legislature by December 1, 2019, and may contract with a consultant on all or a portion of the study.
(1)(a) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the department's public transportation division shall establish a green transportation capital grant program. The purpose of the grant program is to aid any transit authority in funding cost-effective capital projects such as electrification of vehicle fleets, modification or replacement of capital facilities in order to facilitate fleet electrification, necessary upgrades to electrical transmission and distribution systems, and construction of charging and fueling stations, which reduce the carbon intensity of the Washington transportation system. The department's public transportation division shall identify projects and shall submit a prioritized list of all projects requesting funding to the legislature by December 1st of each even-numbered year.
(b) The department's public transportation division shall select projects based on a competitive process that considers the following criteria:
(i) The cost-effectiveness of the reductions in carbon emissions provided by the project; and
(ii) The benefit provided to transitioning the entire state to a transportation system with lower carbon intensity.
(2) The department's public transportation division must establish an advisory committee to assist in identifying projects under subsection (1) of this section. The advisory committee must include representatives from the department of ecology, the department of commerce, the utilities and transportation commission, and at least one transit authority.
(3) In order to receive green transportation capital grant program funding for a project, a transit authority must provide matching funding for that project that is at least equal to twenty percent of the total cost of the project.
(4) The department's public transportation division must report annually to the transportation committees of the legislature on the status of any grant projects funded by the program created under this section.
(5) For purposes of this section, "transit authority" means a city transit system under RCW 35.58.2721 or chapter 35.95A RCW, a county public transportation authority under chapter 36.57 RCW, a metropolitan municipal corporation transit system under chapter 36.56 RCW, a public transportation benefit area under chapter 36.57A RCW, an unincorporated transportation benefit area under RCW 36.57.100, a regional transit authority under chapter 81.112 RCW, or any special purpose district formed to operate a public transportation system.
(1) All earnings of investments of surplus balances in the state treasury shall be deposited to the treasury income account, which account is hereby established in the state treasury.
(2) The treasury income account shall be utilized to pay or receive funds associated with federal programs as required by the federal cash management improvement act of 1990. The treasury income account is subject in all respects to chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for refunds or allocations of interest earnings required by the cash management improvement act. Refunds of interest to the federal treasury required under the cash management improvement act fall under RCW 43.88.180 and shall not require appropriation. The office of financial management shall determine the amounts due to or from the federal government pursuant to the cash management improvement act. The office of financial management may direct transfers of funds between accounts as deemed necessary to implement the provisions of the cash management improvement act, and this subsection. Refunds or allocations shall occur prior to the distributions of earnings set forth in subsection (4) of this section.
(3) Except for the provisions of RCW 43.84.160, the treasury income account may be utilized for the payment of purchased banking services on behalf of treasury funds including, but not limited to, depository, safekeeping, and disbursement functions for the state treasury and affected state agencies. The treasury income account is subject in all respects to chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for payments to financial institutions. Payments shall occur prior to distribution of earnings set forth in subsection (4) of this section.
(4) Monthly, the state treasurer shall distribute the earnings credited to the treasury income account. The state treasurer shall credit the general fund with all the earnings credited to the treasury income account except:
(a) The following accounts and funds shall receive their proportionate share of earnings based upon each account's and fund's average daily balance for the period: The abandoned recreational vehicle disposal account, the aeronautics account, the aircraft search and rescue account, the Alaskan Way viaduct replacement project account, the brownfield redevelopment trust fund account, the budget stabilization account, the capital vessel replacement account, the capitol building construction account, the Cedar River channel construction and operation account, the Central Washington University capital projects account, the charitable, educational, penal and reformatory institutions account, the Chehalis basin account, the cleanup settlement account, the Columbia river basin water supply development account, the Columbia river basin taxable bond water supply development account, the Columbia river basin water supply revenue recovery account, the common school construction fund, the community forest trust account, the connecting Washington account, the county arterial preservation account, the county criminal justice assistance account, the deferred compensation administrative account, the deferred compensation principal account, the department of licensing services account, the department of licensing tuition recovery trust fund, the department of retirement systems expense account, the developmental disabilities community trust account, the diesel idle reduction account, the drinking water assistance account, the drinking water assistance administrative account, the early learning facilities development account, the early learning facilities revolving account, the Eastern Washington University capital projects account, the Interstate 405 express toll lanes operations account, the education construction fund, the education legacy trust account, the election account, the electric vehicle
(b) Any state agency that has independent authority over accounts or funds not statutorily required to be held in the state treasury that deposits funds into a fund or account in the state treasury pursuant to an agreement with the office of the state treasurer shall receive its proportionate share of earnings based upon each account's or fund's average daily balance for the period.
(5) In conformance with Article II, section 37 of the state Constitution, no treasury accounts or funds shall be allocated earnings without the specific affirmative directive of this section.
This section is the tax preference performance statement for the tax preferences contained in sections 23 and 24, chapter . . ., Laws of 2019 (sections 23 and 24 of this act). The performance statement is only intended to be used for subsequent evaluation of the tax preference. It is not intended to create a private right of action by any party or be used to determine eligibility for preferential tax treatment.
(1) The legislature categorizes the tax preferences as ones intended to induce certain designated behavior by taxpayers, as indicated in RCW 82.32.808(2)(a).
(2) It is the legislature's specific public policy objective to increase the use of electric vessels in Washington. It is the legislature's intent to establish a sales and use tax exemption on certain electric vessels in order to reduce the price charged to customers for electric vessels.
(3) To measure the effectiveness of the tax preferences in sections 23 and 24, chapter . . ., Laws of 2019 (sections 23 and 24 of this act) in achieving the public policy objectives described in subsection (2) of this section, the joint legislative audit and review committee must evaluate the number of electric vessels titled in the state.
(4) In order to obtain the data necessary to perform the review in subsection (3) of this section, the department of licensing and the department of revenue must provide data needed for the joint legislative audit and review committee analysis. In addition to the data source described under this subsection, the joint legislative audit and review committee may use any other data it deems necessary.
(1) The tax imposed by RCW 82.08.020 does not apply to:
(a) The sale of new battery-powered electric marine propulsion systems with continuous power greater than fifteen kilowatts.
(b) The sale of new vessels equipped with propulsion systems that qualify under (a) of this subsection.
(2) Sellers may make tax exempt sales under this section only if the buyer provides the seller with an exemption certificate in a form and manner prescribed by the department. The seller must retain a copy of the certificate for the seller's files.
(3) For the purposes of this section:
(a) A "battery-powered electric marine propulsion system" is a fully electric outboard or inboard motor used by vessels, the sole source of propulsive power of which is the energy stored in the battery packs. It includes required accessories, such as throttles/displays and battery packs.
(b) "Vessel" includes every watercraft, other than a seaplane, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water.
(4) This section expires August 1, 2029.
(1) The tax imposed by RCW 82.12.020 does not apply to the use of:
(a) New battery-powered electric marine propulsion systems with continuous power greater than fifteen kilowatts; and
(b) New vessels equipped with propulsion systems that qualify under (a) of this subsection.
(2) Sellers may make tax exempt sales under this section only if the buyer provides the seller with an exemption certificate in a form and manner prescribed by the department. The seller must retain a copy of the certificate for the seller's files.
(3) For the purposes of this section, "battery-powered electric marine propulsion system" and "vessel" have the same meanings as in section 23 of this act.
(4) This section expires August 1, 2029.
Sections 1 through 9, 11 through 14, and 16 through 24 of this act take effect August 1, 2019.
Sections 10 and 15 of this act take effect January 1, 2020.