SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5739
As of January 24, 2022
Title: An act relating to providing funds primarily for the cleanup of large debris litter along state highways.
Brief Description: Providing funds primarily for the cleanup of large debris litter along state highways.
Sponsors: Senators Fortunato, Salomon and Wagoner.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Transportation: 1/24/22.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires that a $1 per tire fee be collected on the retail sale of retreaded vehicle tires.
  • Allows funds collected from the fee to be used for the cleanup of large debris litter along state highways.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Staff: Daniel Masterson (786-7454)
Background:

State law requires that a $1 per tire fee be collected on the retail sale of new replacement vehicle tires, but not retreaded tires.  Retailers are permitted to retain 10 percent of the fee for costs associated with the proper management of the waste vehicle tires by the retailer.  The remaining 90 percent of the fee is paid to the Department of Revenue (DOR) and may be appropriated to the Department of Ecology for cleanup of unauthorized waste tire piles.
Summary of Bill:

A $1 per tire fee is levied on the retail sale of retreaded vehicle tires.  Retreaded vehicle tires does not include tires that are newly manufactured for vehicle purposes.

Retailers are permitted to retain 10 percent of the new retreaded tire fee for costs associated with the proper management of the waste vehicle tires by the retailer.  The remaining 90 percent of the fee is paid to DOR and deposited in the large debris litter account.  DOR is required to collect the number of tires sold and the fee amount collected by each retailer on the business and occupation tax return form.  DOR must incorporate a reconciliation of the number of tires sold and the amount of revenue collected by the businesses selling retail retreaded vehicle tires into the agency's regular audit cycle.
 
The large debris litter account is created in the state treasury and funds in the account may be spent only after appropriation.  Expenditures from the account may be used only for the cleanup of large debris litter along state highways, and then for general litter control activities along state highways should any moneys remain in the account.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

PRO:  We passed SB 5040 last year to try to get debris picked up.  But there is still, what I would consider, large debris.  Couches, large garbage bags, car bumpers, and retread tires are still on the side of the road in case of an emergency.  These are a hazard to motorcycle drivers and people that may have to pull off to the side of the road.  These are dangerous things and we need to get them picked up.  I imagine that the Department of Transportation would put together a crew that would go around and pick up the large stuff fairly quickly.  That's the object, to just get this stuff off the street and make the shoulders a little safer for people and motorcycle drivers.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Phil Fortunato, Prime Sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.