SENATE BILL REPORT

SJR 8206

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.

Brief Description: Amending the state Constitution so that certain sales and use tax revenue collected from new and used car purchases are used for highway purposes.

Sponsors: Senators Fortunato, King, Hawkins, Sheldon, Padden, Bailey, Brown, Warnick, Honeyford, Wilson, L., Holy, Becker and O'Ban.

Brief Summary of Joint Resolution

Amends the state Constitution to specify that the revenue from the state sales and use tax imposed on motor vehicle, camper, and travel trailer purchases must be used exclusively for highway purposes.

Background: The 18th Amendment. The 18th Amendment to the state Constitution requires that the state's motor vehicle fuel taxes, currently 49.4 cents per gallon; vehicle licensing fees; and all other state revenue intended to be used for highway purposes be deposited into the Motor Vehicle Fund. Monies in that fund may only be spent for highway purposes, which are defined to include expenditures on construction, preservation, maintenance, operation, and administration of highways and ferries.

Constitutional Amendment. A proposed amendment to the state Constitution must be approved by two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the Legislature, and then approved by a majority of the voters in the next general election.

Summary of Joint Resolution: A proposed state Constitutional amendment is submitted to the voters at the 2019 general election to specify the revenue from the state sales and use tax imposed on motor vehicle, camper, and travel trailer purchases collected after January 1, 2020, must be used exclusively for highway purposes.