What is Initiative 976 and how would it impact local and state transportation systems?
I-976 is an Initiative to the Legislature that was filed for consideration in the 2019 legislative session. The Legislature took no action on the initiative so it will be presented to voters during the next general election in November 2019.
If passed, the immediate impact to cities would be a repeal of the authority for city transportation benefit districts (TBDs) to impose a car tab fee. Under current law, cities have the authority to establish TBDs for the purposes of acquiring, constructing, providing, and funding transportation improvements. To date, over 100 cities have formed TBDs to fund local transportation projects, with 62 TBDs receiving revenue from vehicle license fees. Fifty-five of the 62 TBDs use vehicle license fees as their sole funding source. In fiscal year 2018, vehicle license fees raised $58.2 million in revenue to fund local projects.
In addition to repealing city TBD fees, I-976 would do the following:
- Lower motor vehicle and light duty truck weight fees (car tab fees) to $30;
- Eliminate the 0.3 percent sales tax on vehicle purchases;
- Lower the electric vehicle, snowmobile, and commercial trailer fees; and,
- Modify and reduce Sound Transit motor vehicle excise tax provisions.
These actions would reduce direct revenue to cities through TBDs, reduce revenue to Sound Transit, and reduce revenue to numerous state transportation accounts. These state accounts provide funding for the Washington State Department of Transportation and provide significant investment in transportation projects across the state. These projects include, but aren’t limited to the following: state and local highway construction, maintenance, ferries and support services; multimodal projects like public transportation, rail and bicycle/pedestrian projects; activities of the Washington State Patrol; and more. Below is a chart showing the potential fiscal impacts of the initiative over a six-year period.
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State accounts
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Six-year revenue loss (2020-25)
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Multimodal account
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$ 1,484,122,000
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Motor vehicle account
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$ 265,553,000
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WA State patrol highway account
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$ 88,573,000
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Transportation partnership account
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$ 45,685,000
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Other accounts
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$ 37,968,000
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Subtotal
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$ 1,921,901,000
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Local governments
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Sound Transit
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$ 1,968,000,000
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City TBDs
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$ 349,121,000
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Subtotal
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$ 2,317,121,000
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Total
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$4,239,022,000
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Source: OFM Fiscal Impact Statement for Initiative 976
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What can I do as an elected official to respond to I-976?
Elected officials and cities have a few options for officially engaging with an initiative. Some cities have already taken action; click here to see the City of Burien’s Agenda Bill and the City of Shoreline’s Council Agenda Item. To learn more, please review AWC’s extensive list of allowed and prohibited actions and, for further reference, please see the PDC Guidelines for Local Government Agencies in Election Campaigns.
View a recording of AWC’s webinar on I-976
Explore city TBDs across the state
To understand how I-976 would impact your city and others across the state, check out the AWC data tool below to discover TBDs in your area and their revenue sources.
What is AWC’s role on initiatives during election season?
AWC cannot take positions for or against ballot initiatives during election season but can provide educational materials that can be shared with elected officials, staff, and communities.