The bill establishes a road usage charge system in Washington State to generate new transportation revenue through a per-mile fee on eligible vehicles. It introduces both voluntary and mandatory programs, with the voluntary program starting on July 1, 2027, for electric and hybrid vehicles, and the mandatory program commencing on July 1, 2029, expanding to include internal combustion engine vehicles over time. The legislation also includes provisions for a road usage assessment to support multimodal transportation needs and emphasizes privacy and data security for participants, requiring vehicle owners to report their mileage while allowing for automated reporting methods. Exemptions are provided for certain vehicles, including those used by public transportation systems and federally recognized tribes.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to clarify vehicle license fee exemptions, mandates the payment of road usage fees during vehicle transfers, and establishes a framework for reporting on the road usage charge programs. It introduces a vehicle miles traveled fee applicable to all vehicles required to pay registration fees, along with an annual transportation electrification fee for electric vehicles. The bill creates two new accounts for managing funds from the road usage charge programs and assessments, ensuring compliance with privacy standards. It also outlines new requirements for vehicle registration applications, including the collection of odometer mileage, while specifying that non-enrolling vehicle owners are not penalized for failing to provide this information.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 46.16A.170, 46.12.650, 46.17.050, 46.17.323, 46.17.324, 46.04.380, 46.01.040, 46.01.110, 42.56.330, 46.16A.040, 46.08.195