FINAL BILL REPORT

                  HB 2201

                         C 270 L 99

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Imposing a surcharge on trip permit fees.

Sponsors:  Representatives Fisher, Hankins, Ogden, K. Schmidt, Ericksen, Skinner, Radcliff and Mielke.

House Committee on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:

Motor vehicles driving on Washington's public highways must be either licensed in Washington or be covered by a reciprocal arrangement with another state.  Vehicles that are unlicensed and have no such reciprocal agreement must either become licensed or purchase a trip permit in lieu of a license.

Commercial vehicle operators must pay a special fuel use tax while operating in Washington.  A special fuel user may obtain a trip permit in lieu of paying the fuel tax.

Each trip permit authorizes the operation of a single vehicle at the maximum weight limit for that vehicle for a period of three consecutive days.  No more than three permits may be used for any vehicle in any period of 30 consecutive days. For recreational vehicles, no more than two permits may be used for any one vehicle in a one year period.

Trip permits may be obtained from field offices of the Department of Transportation, Washington State Patrol, Department of Licensing, or other agents appointed by the Department of Licensing.  The current fee for obtaining a vehicle trip permit is $10.  The fee for obtaining a special fuel user trip permit is $20.  Trip permit fees are deposited in the motor vehicle fund and the state general fund.

Summary:

A surcharge of $5 is imposed on the issuance of trip permits.  The portion of the surcharge paid by motor carriers must be deposited in the motor vehicle fund for the purpose of supporting vehicle weigh stations, weigh-in-motion programs, and the commercial vehicle information systems and networks program.  The remaining portion of the surcharge must be used for congestion relief programs.

Votes on Final Passage:

House942

Senate3414(Senate amended)

House8313(House concurred)

Effective:July 25, 1999