Bill > SB5726

This bill establishes a comprehensive road usage charge program designed to create a new transportation revenue system based on actual vehicle miles traveled. The bill creates two interconnected programs: a voluntary road usage charge program starting in 2027 for electric and hybrid vehicles, and a mandatory road usage charge program that will gradually expand to include more vehicle types from 2029 to 2035. The per-mile fee will be 2.6 cents and will be automatically adjusted with fuel tax rate changes. Additionally, the bill introduces a 10% road usage assessment to support multimodal transportation modes like rail, bicycle, pedestrian, and public transportation. The legislation emphasizes privacy protection, ensuring that personally identifying information is minimally collected and securely managed. Vehicles enrolled in the program will be exempt from certain existing electric and hybrid vehicle fees. The bill aims to address declining fuel tax revenues due to increasing vehicle fuel efficiency and provide a more equitable funding mechanism for transportation infrastructure. The road usage fees will be deposited into a dedicated highway account, while the assessment funds will go to a separate multimodal transportation account. The program will be implemented gradually, with extensive stakeholder consultation, privacy safeguards, and periodic reporting to the legislature.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5726&Year=2025&Initiative=false