Washington SB 5726: Concerning interruptive military service credit for members of the state retirement systems.

Bill Text

AN ACT Relating to establishing new sources of transportation 1
revenue based on motor vehicle use of public roadways; amending RCW 2
46.16A.170, 46.12.650, 46.17.050, 46.17.323, 46.17.324, 46.01.030, 3
46.01.040, 46.01.110, 42.56.330, 46.16A.040, and 46.16A.110; 4
reenacting and amending RCW 43.84.092 and 43.84.092; adding a new 5
section to chapter 46.08 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 46.68 6
RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 46 RCW; creating a new section; 7
providing effective dates; and providing an expiration date.8
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:9
Part I10
General Provisions11
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature recognizes that 12
sufficient funding for the transportation system is essential to 13
ensuring that it meets the mobility needs of residents of Washington. 14
Transportation funding needs are currently met through a variety of 15
revenue-generating funding mechanisms, including fuel taxes, vehicle 16
licensing fees, and other registration fees. While the fuel tax bears 17
a relationship to use of the roadways, it also varies based on the 18
fuel economy of a vehicle. The legislature believes that a more 19
direct road usage-based funding method would more fairly and 20
S-1333.1
SENATE BILL 5726
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Senator Ramos
p. 1 SB 5726

accurately correspond to motor vehicle use of public roads. The 1
legislature also recognizes that the state's roadways are part of the 2
state's integrated transportation system, and that all elements of 3
the transportation system are necessary to sustain the system as a 4
whole and to foster mobility throughout the state.5
(2) The legislature finds that a fair and equitable means of 6
funding the statewide transportation system in the long term is 7
needed to serve the transportation needs of the state. As vehicles 8
become more fuel efficient and this impacts state fuel tax revenue, 9
which has historically funded the construction, preservation, 10
maintenance, and operations of the state highway system and the state 11
ferry system, a reliable source of 18th amendment protected funds is 12
needed to offset reductions in fuel tax revenue. At the same time, 13
the legislature recognizes that support for a range of transportation 14
modes can help mitigate the demands placed on the roadway system and 15
that establishing a source of transportation revenue to support these 16
modes can further the longstanding and growing need for an additional 17
revenue source to help offset demands on a heavily utilized state 18
highway system by funding critical rail, bicycle, pedestrian, and 19
public transportation needs.20
(3) It is, therefore, the legislature's intent to establish a 21
road usage licensing fee for preservation and maintenance highway 22
purposes that imposes a per mile fee for the use of public roads and 23
that is phased in over time using a rate to maintain the same net 24
level of revenue as the fuel tax rate generates today. It is also the 25
legislature's intent to establish a road use assessment on the use of 26
public roadways that can be collected alongside a road usage fee to, 27
in combination, provide support to all elements of the state's 28
transportation system, thereby ensuring that the system is able to 29
meet the demands being placed upon it.30
(4) The legislature further finds and declares that the road 31
usage charge system must protect individuals' privacy and civil 32
liberties. Experience in states that collect road usage charges, in 33
addition to the research and year long test of road usage charging in 34
Washington, demonstrates that mileage-based charges can be 35
implemented in a manner that ensures data security and protects the 36
privacy of motor vehicle owners. The legislature intends that the 37
road usage charge system authorized in this act be designed and 38
implemented in a manner that places privacy of the motor vehicle 39
owner as a first principle, especially with regard to location data.40
p. 2 SB 5726

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1)(a) A voluntary road usage charge 1
program is established that places a per mile fee on motor vehicle 2
usage of public roadways in the state. The department shall implement 3
and administer the voluntary road usage charge program. The following 4
vehicles are eligible to be enrolled in the voluntary road usage 5
charge program:6
(i) From July 1, 2027, to June 30, 2029, all electric and hybrid 7
electric vehicles; and8
(ii) From July 1, 2029, to June 30, 2031, internal combustion 9
engine vehicles with a fuel economy rating of 20 miles per gallon or 10
higher.11
(b)(i) Beginning July 1, 2027, before accepting an application 12
for an annual vehicle renewal for a motor vehicle registering for on-13
road use, the department, county auditor, or other agent or subagent 14
appointed by the director, shall require the applicant to pay the 15
road usage fee at the rate established in section 4 of this act i