SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5309
As of January 27, 2025
Title: An act relating to motor vehicle weight fees applicable to motorcycles.
Brief Description: Concerning motor vehicle weight fees applicable to motorcycles.
Sponsors: Senators Cortes, MacEwen, Gildon, Harris, Hasegawa, Krishnadasan, Liias and Nobles.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Transportation: 1/27/25.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Lowers the vehicle weight fee as it applies to motorcycles from $35 to $25.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Staff: Bryon Moore (786-7726)
Background:

Motor vehicles used on public highways must generally be registered annually with the Department of Licensing. Most vehicles, such as passenger cars, motorcycles, and sport utility vehicles are subject to: (1) a $30 annual registration fee, (2) an annual vehicle weight fee of $35 to $82 based on the scale weight of the vehicle, and (3) other fees totaling $13.25.

 

There are also fees and charges based on where the vehicle is registered geographically and whether the vehicle qualifies for a fee based on vehicle type.

 

The majority of the proceeds from vehicle weight fees are deposited in the Multimodal Transportation Account. Funds in the account are used for transportation purposes, which is broader than highway purposes and can include public transportation and rail.
Summary of Bill:

The vehicle weight fee as it applies to motorcycles is lowered from $35 to $25, regardless of scale weight.
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:  Motorcycles are lumped in with other heavier passenger cars and similar types of vehicles under current weight fee structure and that is not fair.  Acknowledging the fiscal impact, this bill is about making the system more equitable.  The fiscal impact associated with this fee reduction is relatively modest.  The vehicle weight fee is designed to compensate for the wear and tear on the roads, and the current fee amount for motorcycles is disproportionate to this impact.  Motorcycles travel less and are lower weight, and this bill adjusts the fee for motorcycles to reflect that.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Adrian Cortes, Prime Sponsor; LARRY WALKER, ABATE of WA (Motorcyclists); Chad Magendanz, ABATE of WA (Motorcyclists).
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.