wa-law.org > bill > 2025-26 > HB 1921 > Original Bill
The legislature recognizes that sufficient funding for the transportation system is essential to ensuring that it meets the mobility needs of residents of Washington. Transportation funding needs are currently met through a variety of revenue-generating funding mechanisms, including fuel taxes, vehicle licensing fees, and other registration fees. While the fuel tax bears a relationship to use of the roadways, it also varies based on the fuel economy of a vehicle. The legislature believes that a more direct road usage-based funding method would more fairly and accurately correspond to motor vehicle use of public roads. The legislature also recognizes that the state's roadways are part of the state's integrated transportation system, and that all elements of the transportation system are necessary to sustain the system as a whole and to foster mobility throughout the state.
The legislature finds that a fair and equitable means of funding the statewide transportation system in the long term is needed to serve the transportation needs of the state. As vehicles become more fuel efficient and this impacts state fuel tax revenue, which has historically funded the construction, preservation, maintenance, and operations of the state highway system and the state ferry system, a reliable source of 18th amendment protected funds is needed to offset reductions in fuel tax revenue. At the same time, the legislature recognizes that support for a range of transportation modes can help mitigate the demands placed on the roadway system and that establishing a source of transportation revenue to support these modes can further the longstanding and growing need for an additional revenue source to help offset demands on a heavily utilized state highway system by funding critical rail, bicycle, pedestrian, and public transportation needs.
It is, therefore, the legislature's intent to establish a road usage licensing fee for preservation and maintenance highway purposes that imposes a per mile fee for the use of public roads and that is phased in over time using a rate to maintain the same net level of revenue as the fuel tax rate generates today. It is also the legislature's intent to establish a road use assessment on the use of public roadways that can be collected alongside a road usage fee to, in combination, provide support to all elements of the state's transportation system, thereby ensuring that the system is able to meet the demands being placed upon it.
The legislature further finds and declares that the road usage charge system must protect individuals' privacy and civil liberties. Experience in states that collect road usage charges, in addition to the research and year long test of road usage charging in Washington, demonstrates that mileage-based charges can be implemented in a manner that ensures data security and protects the privacy of motor vehicle owners. The legislature intends that the road usage charge system authorized in this act be designed and implemented in a manner that places privacy of the motor vehicle owner as a first principle, especially with regard to location data.
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A voluntary road usage charge program is established that places a per mile fee on motor vehicle usage of public roadways in the state. The department shall implement and administer the voluntary road usage charge program. The following vehicles are eligible to be enrolled in the voluntary road usage charge program:
From July 1, 2027, to June 30, 2029, all electric and hybrid electric vehicles; and
From July 1, 2029, to June 30, 2031, internal combustion engine vehicles with a fuel economy rating of 20 miles per gallon or higher.
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Beginning July 1, 2027, before accepting an application for an annual vehicle renewal for a motor vehicle registering for on-road use, the department, county auditor, or other agent or subagent appointed by the director, shall require the applicant to pay the road usage fee at the rate established in section 4 of this act if the vehicle is enrolled in the voluntary road usage charge program established in this section for the prior 12-month period of vehicle registration, subject to (b)(ii) of this subsection.
The department is authorized to establish rules for periodic payment options for road usage fees.
The electric and hybrid electric vehicle registration renewal fees specified in RCW 46.17.323 and the transportation electrification fees specified in RCW 46.17.324 are waived if the registration renewal applicant enrolled the vehicle in the voluntary road usage charge program established in this section for the prior 12-month period of vehicle registration.
The road usage fee for electric and hybrid electric vehicles due at the end of each 12-month period following vehicle registration, or any applicable portion of that period, under the voluntary road usage charge program established in this section may not exceed the combined amount in fees required under RCW 46.17.323 and 46.17.324 that would be due if they were not waived for the vehicle as a result of its enrollment in the voluntary road usage charge program.
This section only applies to a motor vehicle registered for on-road use that is designed to have the capability to drive at a speed of more than 35 miles per hour and that has a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less.
For the purposes of this section:
"Electric vehicle" means a vehicle that is powered by an electric motor that draws electricity from a battery and is capable of being charged from an external source; and
"Hybrid electric vehicle" means a vehicle that is powered by an internal combustion engine in combination with one or more electric motors that use energy stored in batteries.
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A mandatory road usage charge program is established that places a per mile fee on motor vehicle usage of public roadways in the state. The department shall implement and administer the mandatory road usage charge program. The following vehicles are required to be enrolled in the mandatory road usage charge program:
Beginning July 1, 2029, all electric and hybrid electric vehicles;
Beginning July 1, 2031, internal combustion engine vehicles with a fuel economy rating of 40 miles per gallon or higher;
Beginning July 1, 2032, internal combustion engine vehicles with a fuel economy rating of 35 miles per gallon or higher;
Beginning July 1, 2033, internal combustion engine vehicles with a fuel economy rating of 30 miles per gallon or higher;
Beginning July 1, 2034, internal combustion engine vehicles with a fuel economy rating of 25 miles per gallon or higher; and
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Beginning July 1, 2029, before accepting an application for an annual vehicle renewal for a motor vehicle registering for on-road use, the department, county auditor, or other agent or subagent appointed by the director, shall require the applicant to pay the road usage fee at the rate established in section 4 of this act if the applicant's vehicle is required to be enrolled in the mandatory road usage charge program established in this section for the prior 12-month period of vehicle registration, subject to (b)(ii) of this subsection.
The department is authorized to establish rules for determination of the fuel economy rating of vehicles to be used to carry out this section and section 2 of this act, and is also authorized to establish rules to set periodic payment options for road usage fee payments required under this section and section 2 of this act.
This section only applies to a motor vehicle registered for on-road use that is designed to have the capability to drive at a speed of more than 35 miles per hour and that has a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less.
For the purposes of this section:
"Electric vehicle" means a vehicle that is powered by an electric motor that draws electricity from a battery and is capable of being charged from an external source; and
"Hybrid electric vehicle" means a vehicle that is powered by an internal combustion engine in combination with one or more electric motors that use energy stored in batteries.
The road usage charge rate for participants in the voluntary and mandatory road usage charge programs established in sections 2 and 3 of this act is 2.6 cents per mile and is automatically adjusted when a fuel tax rate adjustment is made to the motor vehicle fuel tax rate imposed under chapter 82.38 RCW by applying the percentage change to the aggregate motor fuel tax rate under RCW 82.38.030 to the road usage charge rate in place at that time under this section.
Proceeds from the per mile fee imposed under sections 2 and 3 of this act are motor vehicle license fees that must be used for preservation and maintenance highway purposes and must be deposited in the road usage charge highway account created in section 23 of this act.
All moneys that have accrued or may accrue in the road usage charge highway account created in section 23 of this act first must be expended for purposes enumerated in subsections (1) and (2) of this section. Beginning July 1, 2029, the remaining net fee amount must be distributed monthly by the state treasurer on a pro rata basis according to the manner in which fuel taxes imposed under RCW 46.68.090 (2) through (7) are distributed:
For payment of refunds of road usage charges that have been paid and are refundable as provided by law; and
For payment of amounts to be expended pursuant to appropriations for the administrative expenses of the offices of the state treasurer, state auditor, and department of licensing of the state of Washington in the administration of the road usage charge, which sums must be distributed monthly.
A road usage assessment for participants in the mandatory road usage charge program established in section 3 of this act is established that places an assessment on road usage fees to support a comprehensive approach to addressing demand being placed on the public roadway system. A road usage assessment shall be assessed and collected on vehicles enrolled in the mandatory road usage charge program under section 3 of this act in an amount equal to 10 percent of the total road usage fees imposed under this chapter after the application of road usage fee credits and exemptions imposed under this chapter. The department shall implement and administer the road usage assessment. For the purpose of administrative efficiency, time of collection for the road usage assessment shall be consistent with the time of collection for the road usage fee imposed under this chapter. This assessment is not a motor vehicle license fee.
The road usage assessment is imposed to provide funds to help manage roadway system needs through the support of a range of transportation modes that help mitigate the demands placed on the roadway system. Proceeds from the assessment on road usage imposed under this section must be used for the following multimodal transportation system purposes: Rail, bicycle, pedestrian, and public transportation. Proceeds from the assessment must be deposited in the road usage assessment account created in section 24 of this act.
A vehicle registered under RCW 46.16A.040 or 46.16A.110 that is exempt from vehicle registration renewal and that is enrolled in the voluntary and mandatory road usage charge programs established in sections 2 and 3 of this act is required to pay the road usage fee at the rate established in section 4 of this act and the road usage assessment as established in section 6 of this act on an annual basis consistent with this chapter, except as provided in RCW 46.16A.170 or section 10 of this act.
The department may adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.
The department shall require vehicle owners participating in the voluntary and mandatory road usage charge programs under sections 2 and 3 of this act to report miles driven through the submittal of periodic odometer mileage. The department may also offer vehicle owners the option of one or more automated methods of reporting miles driven. The department may certify one or more private sector service providers to provide the automated methods of reporting miles driven. Any customer fees associated with third-party automated reporting methods certified by the department may not be assumed by the department.
At the time of road usage fee collection under sections 2 and 3 of this act, the fee due for a vehicle participating in the road usage charge program is reduced by a fee credit in the amount of the motor vehicle fuel tax imposed under chapter 82.38 RCW that is determined by the department to correspond, either constructively or actually, to the vehicle's motor vehicle fuel usage over the period of time for which the road usage fee is being assessed. The fee credit is available solely to offset the road usage fee due based on applicable vehicle miles driven during the period of time the fee credit is earned and is nonrefundable and nontransferable to future years of program participation. The department shall adopt by rule methodologies used to determine constructive motor vehicle fuel usage by vehicles, as well as any requirements for the determination of actual fuel usage by vehicles applicable.
At the time of road usage fee collection under sections 2 and 3 of this act, the road usage fee due for a vehicle participating in the road usage charge program is reduced by an amount corresponding to a standard deduction of 200 miles per 12-month period, or by a proportionate share of the standard deduction applicable to the period of time for which the road usage fee is being assessed. The department shall establish by rule a process for submission of documentation for road usage charge program participants to claim a road usage fee exemption for the operation of an enrolled vehicle on roadways other than public roadways in the state in excess of the applicable standard deduction. Application for a road usage fee exemption must be made to the department in a form and manner determined by the department. The application must include any information and documentation required by the department.
The following exemptions apply to road usage fees imposed under this chapter as specified below:
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The use of vehicles by publicly owned and operated urban passenger transportation systems;
For the purposes of this subsection (1)(a), "publicly owned and operated urban passenger transportation systems" include public transportation benefit areas under chapter 36.57A RCW, metropolitan municipal corporations under chapter 36.56 RCW, city-owned transit systems under chapter 35.58 RCW, county public transportation authorities under chapter 36.57 RCW, unincorporated transportation benefit areas under chapter 36.57 RCW, and regional transit authorities under chapter 81.112 RCW;
The use of vehicles by a private, nonprofit transportation provider regulated under chapter 81.66 RCW when providing transportation services for persons with special transportation needs;
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The use of vehicles by privately owned urban passenger transportation systems and carriers as defined in chapters 81.68 and 81.70 RCW, except that no exemption applies to privately owned urban transportation vehicles, or vehicles operated pursuant to chapters 81.68 and 81.70 RCW, on any trip where any portion of the trip is more than 25 road miles beyond the corporate limits of the county in which the trip originated;
For purposes of this subsection (1)(c), "privately owned urban passenger transportation system" means every privately owned transportation system having as its principal source of revenue the income from transporting persons for compensation by means of motor vehicles or trackless trolleys, each having a seating capacity for over 15 persons over prescribed routes in such a manner that the routes of such motor vehicles or trackless trolleys, either alone or in conjunction with routes of other such motor vehicles or trackless trolleys subject to routing by the same transportation system, do not extend for a distance exceeding 25 road miles beyond the corporate limits of the county in which the original starting points of such motor vehicles or trackless trolleys are located;
The use of vehicles by federally recognized Indian tribes to provide public transportation services;
The use of vehicles owned and operated by the state of Washington, any county, or any municipality, when used for street and highway construction and maintenance purposes; and
The use of publicly owned firefighting equipment.
The legislature intends to address the impact of the mandatory road usage charge program established in section 3 of this act on drivers who operate on the platforms of transportation network companies, as defined in RCW 46.04.652, by July 1, 2027.
The department is required to complete the following activities for further development of the road usage charge program:
Provide a report to the legislature on periodic payment options for the road usage charge program, with input from relevant stakeholders, by June 30, 2027; and
Coordinate a task force to evaluate options for road usage fee and assessment revenue collection enforcement to address potential challenges to collection and provide recommendations to the legislature by January 1, 2028.
The joint transportation committee is required to oversee studies on the following topics to inform further development of the mandatory road usage charge program established in section 3 of this act:
Assess the applicability and impacts of the road usage charge program in a tribal context with input from relevant stakeholders and make recommendations to the transportation committees of the legislature and the governor in a report to be provided by June 30, 2026;
Examine the differentiated road wear and safety impacts of large and heavy passenger vehicles and provide a report to the legislature by January 1, 2027, to inform the legislature's consideration in 2027 of implementation of differentiated road usage charge rates based on hood height and/or vehicle weight;
Evaluate the impact of the collection of the road usage fee on funding for off-road vehicle infrastructure and options available to address that impact, with a report provided to the transportation committees of the legislature by January 1, 2028; and
Explore possible local jurisdiction revenue-generating mechanisms that could be used to complement the state road usage charge program.
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Upon completion of the study required under subsection (1)(a) of this section, the governor shall conduct a consultation with the state's federally recognized Indian tribes to determine the manner in which the mandatory road usage charge program required under section 3 of this act will apply to federally recognized Indian tribes.
The governor may enter into an agreement with any federally recognized Indian tribe located on a reservation within this state regarding the mandatory road usage charge program established in section 3 of this act. The agreement may provide mutually agreeable means to address any tribal immunities or any preemption of the road usage fee and assessment.
The department, in consultation with the Washington state transportation commission, shall design and execute a public outreach and education program to be carried out prior to implementation of the voluntary and mandatory road usage charge programs established in sections 2 and 3 of this act.
Beginning January 1, 2027, the department shall provide semiannual reports to the joint transportation committee of the legislature on the status of preparations for and implementation of the voluntary and mandatory road usage charge programs established in sections 2 and 3 of this act and recommendations for program enhancements, and shall continue to report semiannually to the joint transportation committee of the legislature on road usage charge program status and recommendations.
The Washington state transportation commission shall pursue federal grant funding opportunities for which the voluntary and mandatory road usage charge programs established under sections 2 and 3 of this act are eligible, as directed by the legislature.
The following vehicles are exempt from the payment of vehicle license fees:
Except for payment of road usage fees required under sections 2 and 3 of this act, any vehicle owned, rented, or leased by the state of Washington, or by any county, city, town, school district, or other political subdivision of the state of Washington and used exclusively by them;
Except for payment of road usage fees required under sections 2 and 3 of this act, vehicles owned or leased with an option to purchase by the United States government, or by the government of foreign countries, or by international bodies to which the United States government is a signatory by treaty;
Vehicles owned or leased by the governing body of an Indian tribe located within this state and recognized as a governmental entity by the United States department of the interior, and used exclusively in its service;
Except for payment of road usage fees required under sections 2 and 3 of this act, any bus or vehicle owned and operated by a private school or schools meeting the requirements of RCW 28A.195.010 and used by that school or schools primarily to transport children to and from school or to transport children in connection with school activities. A registration issued by the department for these buses or vehicles is exempt from the motor vehicle excise tax provided in chapter 82.44 RCW;
Except for payment of road usage fees required under sections 2 and 3 of this act, vehicles owned and used exclusively by the United States government that are clearly identified by displaying registration numbers or license plates assigned by the United States government if the vehicle is registered and displays license plates assigned to it by the United States government; and
Except for payment of the license plate fee required under RCW 46.17.240 and payment of road usage fees required under sections 2 and 3 of this act, vehicles owned and used exclusively by the United States government and are clearly identified by displaying registration numbers of license plates assigned by the state of Washington if the vehicle is registered and displays license plates assigned to it by the state of Washington.
The department shall assign a license plate or plates to each vehicle or may assign a block of license plates to an agency or political subdivision for further assignment by the agency or political subdivision to individual vehicles registered to it. The agency, political subdivision, or Indian tribe, except a foreign government or international body, shall pay the fee required in RCW 46.17.240 for the license plate or plates for each vehicle.
An Indian tribe located within this state and recognized as a governmental entity by the United States department of the interior is not entitled to register any tribal government service vehicle under this section if that tribe itself registers any tribal government service vehicles under tribal law.
A vehicle registration or license plates may not be issued to any vehicle under this section for the transportation of school children unless the vehicle has been first inspected by the director or the director's authorized representative.
An owner releasing interest in a vehicle shall:
Sign the release of interest section provided on the certificate of title or on a release of interest document or form approved by the department;
Give the certificate of title or most recent evidence of ownership to the person gaining the interest in the vehicle;
Give the person gaining interest in the vehicle an odometer disclosure statement if one is required; and
Report the vehicle sold as provided in subsection (2) of this section.
An owner shall notify the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director in writing within five business days after a vehicle is or has been:
Sold;
Given as a gift to another person;
Traded, either privately or to a dealership;
Donated to charity;
Turned over to an insurance company or wrecking yard; or
Disposed of.
A report of sale is properly filed if it is received by the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director within five business days after the date of sale or transfer and it includes:
The date of sale or transfer;
The owner's full name and complete, current address;
The full name and complete, current address of the person acquiring the vehicle, including street name and number, and apartment number if applicable, or post office box number, city or town, and postal code;
The vehicle identification number and license plate number;
The mileage shown on the odometer of the motor vehicle at the time of vehicle transfer, except for reports of sale filed as required under this subsection (3)(e) or (f) of this subsection if the department determines that the odometer reading is unavailable due to damage sustained by the vehicle;
A date or stamp by the department showing it was received on or before the fifth business day after the date of sale or transfer; and
Payment of the fees required under RCW 46.17.050.
(a) The department shall:
i. Provide or approve reports of sale forms;
ii. Provide a system enabling an owner to submit reports of sale electronically;
iii. Immediately update the department's vehicle record when a report of sale has been filed;
iv. Provide instructions on release of interest forms that allow the seller of a vehicle to release their interest in a vehicle at the same time a financial institution, as defined in RCW 30A.22.040, releases its lien on the vehicle;
A vehicle dealer as defined in RCW 46.70.011 may, but is not required to, file a report of sale on behalf of an owner who trades in, sells, or otherwise transfers ownership of a vehicle to the dealer. A vehicle dealer who files on behalf of an owner shall collect and remit the fees required under RCW 46.17.050 from the owner in addition to any other fees charged to or owed by the customer.
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A person who has recently acquired a vehicle by purchase, exchange, gift, lease, inheritance, or legal action shall apply to the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director for a new certificate of title within 15 days of delivery of the vehicle. A secured party who has possession of the certificate of title shall either:
Apply for a new certificate of title on behalf of the owner and pay the fee required under RCW 46.17.100; or
Provide all required documents to the owner, as long as the transfer was not a breach of its security agreement, to allow the owner to apply for a new certificate of title.
Compliance with this subsection does not affect the rights of the secured party.
The certificate of title must be kept by or delivered to the person who becomes the secured party when a security interest is reserved or created at the time of the transfer of ownership. The parties must comply with RCW 46.12.675.
A person who has recently acquired a motor vehicle by purchase, exchange, gift, lease, inheritance, or legal action who does not apply for a new certificate of title within 15 calendar days of delivery of the vehicle is charged a penalty, as described in RCW 46.17.140, when applying for a new certificate of title. It is a misdemeanor to fail or neglect to apply for a transfer of ownership within 45 days after delivery of the vehicle. The misdemeanor is a single continuing offense for each day that passes regardless of the number of days that have elapsed following the 45-day time period.
The penalty is not charged if the delay in application is due to at least one of the following:
The department requests additional supporting documents;
The department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent fails to perform or is neglectful;
The owner is prevented from applying due to an illness or extended hospitalization;
The legal owner fails or neglects to release interest;
The owner did not know of the filing of a report of sale by the previous owner and signs an affidavit to the fact; or
The department finds other conditions exist that adequately explain the delay.
The department shall review applications for certificates of title and issue certificates of title when it has determined that all applicable provisions of law have been complied with.
The department may adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.
Until June 30, 2017, before accepting a report of sale filed under RCW 46.12.650(2), the county auditor or other agent or subagent appointed by the director shall require the applicant to pay:
The filing fee under RCW 46.17.005(1), the license plate technology fee under RCW 46.17.015, and the license service fee under RCW 46.17.025 to the county auditor or other agent; and
The service fee under RCW 46.17.040(1)(b) to the subagent.
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Beginning July 1, 2017, before accepting a report of sale filed under RCW 46.12.650(2), the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director shall require the applicant to pay the filing fee under RCW 46.17.005(1), the license plate technology fee under RCW 46.17.015, the license service fee under RCW 46.17.025, and the service fee under RCW 46.17.040(1)(b).
Service fees collected under (a) of this subsection by the department or county auditor or other agent appointed by the director must be credited to the capital vessel replacement account under RCW 47.60.322.
Beginning July 1, 2027, before accepting a report of sale filed under RCW 46.12.650(2), the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director shall also require the applicant to pay the road usage fees and assessments due for vehicles enrolled in a voluntary or mandatory road usage charge program under section 2 or 3 of this act that would have been due at the time of annual vehicle registration renewal if not for the transfer of ownership of the vehicle, to be determined using the odometer reading of the vehicle at the time of transfer, subject to the exception for unavailable odometers in RCW 46.12.650(3)(e).
Before accepting an application for an annual vehicle registration renewal for a vehicle that both (a) uses at least one method of propulsion that is capable of being reenergized by an external source of electricity and (b) is capable of traveling at least 30 miles using only battery power, except for electric motorcycles, the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director must require the applicant to pay a $100 fee in addition to any other fees and taxes required by law. The $100 fee is due only at the time of annual registration renewal.
This section only applies to a vehicle that is designed to have the capability to drive at a speed of more than 35 miles per hour.
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The fee under this section is imposed to provide funds to mitigate the impact of vehicles on state roads and highways and for the purpose of evaluating the feasibility of transitioning from a revenue collection system based on fuel taxes to a road user assessment system, and is separate and distinct from other vehicle license fees. Proceeds from the fee must be used for highway purposes, and must be deposited in the motor vehicle fund created in RCW 46.68.070, subject to (b) of this subsection.
If in any year the amount of proceeds from the fee collected under this section exceeds $1,000,000, the excess amount over $1,000,000 must be deposited as follows:
Seventy percent to the motor vehicle fund created in RCW 46.68.070;
Fifteen percent to the transportation improvement account created in RCW 47.26.084; and
Fifteen percent to the rural arterial trust account created in RCW 36.79.020.
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In addition to the fee established in subsection (1) of this section, before accepting an application for an annual vehicle registration renewal for a vehicle that both (i) uses at least one method of propulsion that is capable of being reenergized by an external source of electricity and (ii) is capable of traveling at least 30 miles using only battery power, except for electric motorcycles, the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director must require the applicant to pay a $50 fee.
The fee required under (a) of this subsection must be distributed as follows:
The first $1,000,000 raised by the fee must be deposited into the multimodal transportation account created in RCW 47.66.070; and
Any remaining amounts must be deposited into the motor vehicle fund created in RCW 46.68.070.
Beginning November 1, 2022, before accepting an application for an annual vehicle registration renewal for an electric motorcycle that uses propulsion units powered solely by electricity, the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director must require the applicant to pay a $30 fee in addition to any other fees and taxes required by law. The $30 fee is due only at the time of annual registration renewal.
The fees collected pursuant to subsection (5) of this section shall be deposited into the motor vehicle fund created in RCW 46.68.070.
This section applies to annual vehicle registration renewals until the effective date of enacted legislation that imposes a mandatory vehicle miles traveled fee or tax that applies to all vehicles that are required to pay fees under this section.
The fees specified in this section are waived if the registration renewal applicant enrolled the vehicle in a voluntary or mandatory road usage charge program established in section 2 or 3 of this act for the prior 12-month period of vehicle registration.
To realize the environmental benefits of electrification of the transportation system it is necessary to support the adoption of electric vehicles and other electric technology in the state by incentivizing the purchase of these vehicles, building out the charging infrastructure, developing greener transit options, and supporting clean alternative fuel infrastructure. Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to support these activities through the imposition of new transportation electrification fees in this section.
A vehicle that both (a) uses at least one method of propulsion that is capable of being reenergized by an external source of electricity and (b) is capable of traveling at least 30 miles using only battery power, is subject to an annual $75 transportation electrification fee to be collected by the department, county auditor, or other agent or subagent appointed by the director, in addition to any other fees and taxes required by law. For administrative efficiencies, the transportation electrification fee must be collected at the same time as vehicle registration renewals and may only be collected for vehicles that are renewing an annual vehicle registration.
Beginning October 1, 2019, in lieu of the fee in subsection (1) of this section for a hybrid or alternative fuel vehicle that is not required to pay the fees established in RCW 46.17.323 (1) and (4), for reasons other than participation in the voluntary or mandatory road usage charge program established in section 2 or 3 of this act, the department, county auditor, or other agent or subagent appointed by the director must require that the applicant for the annual vehicle registration renewal of such hybrid or alternative fuel vehicle pay a $75 hybrid vehicle transportation electrification fee, in addition to any other fees and taxes required by law.
The fees required under this section must be deposited in the electric vehicle account created in RCW 82.44.200, until July 1, 2025, when the fee must be deposited in the motor vehicle account.
This section only applies to a vehicle that is designed to have the capability to drive at a speed of more than 35 miles per hour.
The fees specified in this section are waived if the registration renewal applicant enrolled the vehicle in a voluntary or mandatory road usage charge program established in section 2 or 3 of this act for the prior 12-month period of vehicle registration.
The only personally identifying information that may be collected under the voluntary and mandatory road usage charge programs established in sections 2 and 3 of this act, as well as for purposes of applying the assessment established in section 6 of this act, is personally identifying information necessary to properly calculate, report, and collect road usage fees and assessments, unless the vehicle owner provides his or her express written consent for the collection of additional information.
Per mile reporting methods may only record or report general location data when:
The vehicle owner chooses a reporting method that requires general location data to be collected;
Proper disclosure of the reporting method was made pursuant to rules adopted by the department; and
The vehicle owner specifically consents to the reporting of general location data.
Per mile reporting methods shall not report specific location data to the department or any subdivision of the state, including data on travel patterns, origins, destinations, waypoint locations, or times of travel, unless a vehicle owner specifically consents to the recording or reporting of this location data.
The department and any road usage charge service provider has an affirmative public duty regarding the collection of a per mile fee under sections 2 and 3 of this act to:
Ensure that per mile information is protected with reasonable operational, administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to ensure its confidentiality and integrity;
Implement and maintain reasonable security procedures and practices to protect per mile information from unauthorized access, destruction, use, modification, or disclosure; and
Implement and maintain a usage and privacy policy to ensure that the collection of per mile information is consistent with respect for individuals' privacy and civil liberties.
The department may adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.
For the purposes of this section:
"General location data" means vehicle location information necessary for the determination of road usage fees and assessments.
"Personally identifying information" means any information that identifies or describes a person including, but not limited to, travel pattern data, address, telephone number, email address, photograph, bank account information, or credit card number. "Personally identifying information" does not include publicly available information that is lawfully made available to the general public from federal, state, or local government records.
"Public purposes" means research, testing, and information gathering that advances the safety of the motoring public or the adequate preservation, maintenance, and upkeep of public roadways.
"Specific location data" means information about the origin, destination, waypoint, or travel patterns of vehicles.
"Vehicle owner" has the same meaning as "owner" in RCW 46.04.380.
The department is responsible for administering and recommending the improvement of the motor vehicle laws of this state relating to:
Driver examining and licensing;
Driver improvement;
Driver records;
Financial responsibility;
Certificates of title;
Vehicle registration certificates and license plates;
Proration and reciprocity;
Liquid fuel tax collections;
Road usage fee collections;
Road usage assessment collections;
Licensing of dealers, motor vehicle transporters, motor vehicle wreckers, for hire vehicles, and drivers' schools;
General highway safety promotion in cooperation with the Washington state patrol and traffic safety commission; and
Such other activities as the legislature may provide.
The department is vested with all powers, functions, and duties with respect to and including the following:
The fuel tax and aircraft fuel tax as provided in chapters 82.38 and 82.42 RCW;
The motor vehicle excise tax as provided in chapter 82.44 RCW;
The travel trailers and campers excise tax as provided in chapter 82.50 RCW;
Road usage fees and assessments as provided in chapter 46.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 29 of this act);
All general powers and duties relating to motor vehicles as provided in chapter 46.08 RCW;
Certificates of title and registration certificates as provided in chapters 46.12 and 46.16A RCW;
The registration of motor vehicles as provided in chapter 46.16A RCW;
Dealers' licenses as provided in chapter 46.70 RCW;
The licensing of motor vehicle transporters as provided in chapter 46.76 RCW;
The licensing of vehicle wreckers as provided in chapter 46.80 RCW;
The administration of the laws relating to reciprocal or proportional registration of motor vehicles as provided in chapter 46.85 RCW;
The licensing of passenger vehicles for hire as provided in chapter 46.72 RCW;
Drivers' licenses as provided in chapter 46.20 RCW;
Commercial driver training schools as provided in chapter 46.82 RCW;
Financial responsibility as provided in chapter 46.29 RCW;
Accident reporting as provided in chapter 46.52 RCW;
Disposition of revenues as provided in chapter 46.68 RCW; and
The administration of all other laws relating to motor vehicles vested in the director of licenses on June 30, 1965.
The director may adopt and enforce rules to carry out provisions related to vehicle registrations, certificates of title, road usage fees and assessments, and drivers' licenses. These rules must not be based:
Solely on a section of law stating a statute's intent or purpose;
On the enabling provisions of the statute establishing the agency; or
On any combination of subsections (1) and (2) of this section.
The following information relating to public utilities and transportation is exempt from disclosure under this chapter:
Records filed with the utilities and transportation commission or attorney general under RCW 80.04.095 or 81.77.210 that a court has determined are confidential under RCW 80.04.095 or 81.77.210;
The addresses, telephone numbers, electronic contact information, and customer-specific utility usage and billing information in increments less than a billing cycle of the customers of a public utility contained in the records or lists held by the public utility of which they are customers, except that this information may be released to the division of child support or the agency or firm providing child support enforcement for another state under Title IV-D of the federal social security act, for the establishment, enforcement, or modification of a support order;
The names, residential addresses, residential telephone numbers, and other individually identifiable records held by an agency in relation to a vanpool, carpool, or other ride-sharing program or service. Participants' names, general locations, and point of contact may be disclosed to other persons who apply for ride-matching services and who need that information in order to identify potential riders or drivers with whom to share rides;
The personally identifying information of current or former participants or applicants in a paratransit or other transit service operated for the benefit of persons with disabilities or elderly persons;
The personally identifying information of persons who acquire and use transit passes or other fare payment media including, but not limited to, stored value smart cards and magnetic strip cards, except that an agency may disclose personally identifying information to a person, employer, educational institution, or other entity that is responsible, in whole or in part, for payment of the cost of acquiring or using a transit pass or other fare payment media for the purpose of preventing fraud. As used in this subsection, "personally identifying information" includes acquisition or use information pertaining to a specific, individual transit pass or fare payment media.
Information regarding the acquisition or use of transit passes or fare payment media may be disclosed in aggregate form if the data does not contain any personally identifying information.
Personally identifying information may be released to law enforcement agencies if the request is accompanied by a court order;
Any information obtained by governmental agencies that is collected by the use of a motor carrier intelligent transportation system or any comparable information equipment attached to a truck, tractor, or trailer; however, the information may be given to other governmental agencies or the owners of the truck, tractor, or trailer from which the information is obtained. As used in this subsection, "motor carrier" has the same definition as provided in RCW 81.80.010;
The personally identifying information of persons who acquire and use transponders or other technology to facilitate payment of tolls. This information may be disclosed in aggregate form as long as the data does not contain any personally identifying information. For these purposes aggregate data may include the census tract of the account holder as long as any individual personally identifying information is not released. Personally identifying information may be released to law enforcement agencies only for toll enforcement purposes. Personally identifying information may be released to law enforcement agencies for other purposes only if the request is accompanied by a court order;
The personally identifying information of persons who acquire and use a driver's license or identicard that includes a radio frequency identification chip or similar technology to facilitate border crossing. This information may be disclosed in aggregate form as long as the data does not contain any personally identifying information. Personally identifying information may be released to law enforcement agencies only for United States customs and border protection enforcement purposes. Personally identifying information may be released to law enforcement agencies for other purposes only if the request is accompanied by a court order;
Personally identifying information included in safety complaints submitted under chapter 81.61 RCW; and
The personally identifying information of persons who report their vehicle odometer mileage or any vehicle location information as part of a vehicle registration or vehicle registration renewal application required under chapter 46.16A or 46.--- RCW (the new chapter created in section 29 of this act) or as part of a report of sale required under RCW 46.12.650 and 46.17.050. This information may be disclosed in aggregate form only if the data does not contain any personally identifying information. Personally identifying information may be released to law enforcement agencies only if the request is accompanied by a court order.
The road usage charge highway account is created in the motor vehicle fund. All receipts from the voluntary and mandatory road usage charge programs established in sections 2 and 3 of this act must be deposited in the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only for the purposes specified in RCW 46.68.070 that are also highway preservation and maintenance purposes.
The road usage assessment account is created in the state treasury. All receipts from the assessment imposed under section 6 of this act must be deposited in the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may only be used for the following multimodal transportation system purposes: Rail, bicycle, pedestrian, and public transportation. Expenditures from the account may not be used for purposes exclusive of these multimodal transportation system purposes.
(1) All earnings of investments of surplus balances in the state treasury shall be deposited to the treasury income account, which account is hereby established in the state treasury.
(1) All earnings of investments of surplus balances in the state treasury shall be deposited to the treasury income account, which account is hereby established in the state treasury.
An owner or the owner's authorized representative must apply for an original vehicle registration to the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director on a form furnished by the department. The application must contain:
A description of the vehicle, including its make, model, vehicle identification number, type of body, and power to be used;
The name and address of the person who is the registered owner of the vehicle and, if the vehicle is subject to a security interest, the name and address of the secured party;
The purpose for which the vehicle is to be used;
The licensed gross weight for the vehicle, which is:
The adult seating capacity, including the operator, as provided for in RCW 46.16A.455(1) if the vehicle will be operated as a for hire vehicle or auto stage and has a seating capacity of more than six; or
The gross weight declared by the applicant as required in RCW 46.16A.455(2) if the vehicle will be operated as a motor truck, tractor, or truck tractor;
The empty scale weight of the vehicle; and
Other information that the department may require.
In the application for an original vehicle registration of a motor vehicle for on-road use, the department shall request the mileage shown on the odometer of the motor vehicle being registered at the time of application.
A vehicle owner enrolling in the voluntary and mandatory road usage charge programs established in sections 2 and 3 of this act at the time of application is required to provide the mileage shown on the odometer in the application for an original vehicle registration of a motor vehicle for on-road use at the time of vehicle enrollment.
A vehicle owner is not required to provide the mileage shown on the odometer for a vehicle not enrolling in the voluntary or mandatory road usage charge program established in section 2 or 3 of this act at the time of application. Failure to provide the mileage shown on the odometer vehicle for vehicle owners identified in this subsection (2)(b) is not grounds to deny vehicle registration or to issue any monetary or civil penalty or infraction. The application for an original vehicle registration must state that the vehicle owner of a vehicle not enrolling in the voluntary or mandatory road usage charge program established in section 2 or 3 of this act is not required to provide the mileage shown on the odometer for the vehicle and that failure to provide the mileage shown on the odometer of a vehicle not enrolling in the voluntary or mandatory road usage charge program established in section 2 or 3 of this act is not grounds to deny vehicle registration or issue any monetary or civil penalty or infraction.
The registered owner or the registered owner's authorized representative shall sign the application for an original vehicle registration and certify that the statements on the application are true to the best of the applicant's knowledge.
The application for an original vehicle registration must be accompanied by a draft, money order, certified bank check, or cash for all fees and taxes due for the application for an original vehicle registration.
Whenever any person, after applying for or receiving a vehicle registration, moves from the address named in the application or in the registration issued to him or her, or changes his or her name of record, the person shall, within 10 days thereafter, notify the department of the name or address change as provided in RCW 46.08.195.
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A registered owner or the registered owner's authorized representative must apply for a renewal vehicle registration to the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director on a form approved by the director. The application for a renewal vehicle registration must be accompanied by a draft, money order, certified bank check, or cash for all fees, assessments, and taxes required by law for the application for a renewal vehicle registration.
In the application for a renewal vehicle registration of a motor vehicle for on-road use, the department shall request the mileage shown on the odometer of the motor vehicle being registered at the time of application.
A vehicle owner enrolling or enrolled in the voluntary or mandatory road usage charge program established in section 2 or 3 of this act is required to provide the mileage shown on the odometer in the application for an original vehicle registration of a motor vehicle for on-road use at the time of enrollment and at subsequent vehicle registration renewals.
A vehicle owner is not required to provide the mileage shown on the odometer for a vehicle not enrolling or enrolled in the voluntary or mandatory road usage charge program established in section 2 or 3 of this act. Failure to provide the mileage shown on the odometer vehicle for vehicle owners identified in this subsection (1)(b) is not grounds to deny vehicle registration or to issue any monetary or civil penalty or infraction. The application for an original vehicle registration must state that the vehicle owner of a vehicle not enrolling or enrolled in the voluntary and mandatory road usage charge programs established in sections 2 and 3 of this act is not required to provide the mileage shown on the odometer for the vehicle, and that failure to provide the mileage shown on the odometer of a vehicle not enrolling or enrolled in the voluntary or mandatory road usage charge program established in section 2 or 3 of this act is not grounds to deny vehicle registration or issue any monetary or civil penalty or infraction.
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When a vehicle changes ownership, the person taking ownership or his or her authorized representative must apply for a renewal vehicle registration as provided in subsection (1) of this section and, except as provided in (b) of this subsection, pay all the taxes, assessments, and fees that are due at the time of registration renewal. For the purposes of this section, when a vehicle is sold to a vehicle dealer for resale, the application for a renewal registration need not be made until the vehicle is sold by the vehicle dealer.
The person taking ownership or his or her authorized representative must be given credit for the portion of a motor vehicle excise tax, including the motor vehicle excise tax collected under RCW 81.104.160, that reflects the remaining period for which the tax was initially paid by the previous owner.
An application and the fees, assessments, and taxes for a renewal vehicle registration must be handled in the same manner as an original vehicle registration application. The registration does not need to show the name of the lienholder when the application for renewal vehicle registration becomes the renewal registration upon validation.
A person expecting to be out of state during the normal renewal period of a vehicle registration may renew a vehicle registration and have license plates or tabs preissued by applying for a renewal as described in subsection (1) of this section. A vehicle registration may be renewed for the subsequent registration year up to 18 months before the current expiration date and must be displayed from the date of issue or from the day of the expiration of the current registration year, whichever date is later.
An application for a renewal vehicle registration is not required for those vehicles owned, rented, or leased by:
The state of Washington, or by any county, city, town, school district, or other political subdivision of the state of Washington; or
A governing body of an Indian tribe located within this state and recognized as a governmental entity by the United States department of the interior.
Section 25 of this act expires July 1, 2028.
Sections 27 and 28 of this act take effect July 1, 2026.
Sections 14 and 15 of this act take effect July 1, 2027.
Section 26 of this act takes effect July 1, 2028.