6445-S AMS BENT MAYN 096

SSB 6445 - S AMD TO S-4540.2 124

By Senator Benton

WITHDRAWN 02/14/2012

    On page 7, after line 27, insert the following:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. A new section is added to chapter 47.56 RCW under the subchapter heading "toll facilities created after July 1,

2008" to read as follows:

(1) The Columbia river crossing project citizen advisory committee is hereby created. The governor shall appoint nine members to the committee. The advisory committee members must be current Washington residents and shall be appointed proportionately, to the extent practicable, from those areas from which the majority of the trips originate on the bridge according to the latest traffic analysis by the department. Appointees must also be able to demonstrate that they are or will be toll-paying commuters on regular basis.

(2) The Columbia river crossing project citizen advisory committee shall serve in an advisory capacity to the tolling authority, or toll rate setting entity that may be created under an agreement pursuant to section 4 of this act, on all matters related to the imposition of tolls including, but not limited to: (a) the feasibility of providing discounts to frequent users, electronic transponder users, senior citizens, or students; (b) the tradeoff of lower tolls versus the early retirement of debt; and (c) a consideration of variable, or time of day pricing.

(3) No toll charge may be imposed or modified unless the citizen advisory committee has been given at least twenty days to review and comment on any proposed toll charge schedule. In setting toll rates, the tolling authority, or toll rate setting entity that may be created under an agreement pursuant to section 4 of this act, shall give consideration to any recommendations of the citizen advisory committee."

Renumber the remaining sections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.

SSB 6445 S AMD TO S-4540.2

     By Senator ....

     On page 1, line ... of the title, after "...", insert "..."

EFFECT: Establishes the Columbia river crossing project citizen advisory committee. Requires the Governor to appoint nine members to the committee and specifies eligibility criteria for the members. Specifies that no toll may be imposed or modified unless the tolling authority has given the citizen advisory committee at least 20 days to review and comment on any proposed toll charge schedule. Requires the tolling authority to give consideration to any recommendations of the citizen advisory committee.

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