Following years of research, stakeholder work and two pilot studies, a road usage charge (RUC) system is closer than ever to becoming a reality in Washington. Last week, Rep. Jake Fey (D-Tacoma) introduced a proposal for implementing a voluntary RUC program, bringing the state one step closer to a statewide road usage charge system, and signaling to the federal government that our state is ready to contemplate a RUC as an alternative revenue source to the gas tax.

HB 1832 establishes a voluntary road usage charge program that imposes a per mile fee for the use of public roads. It also creates the Road Usage Charge Account in the state Treasury. The revenues from the program will flow into the account and must be used for transportation preservation and maintenance purposes only.

The Department of Licensing (DOL) will administer the program. DOL must offer participants the option to report miles driven through periodic odometer mileage submissions. It may also offer other options of automated reporting methods. Participants in the program do not have to pay for miles driven off of public roadways in Washington.

The proposed rate for the program is 2.5 cents per mile. The amount owed is due at the time of vehicle registration renewal, 12-months after enrollment. Eligible vehicles are those that can travel faster than 35 mph and weigh 10,000 pounds or less.

Existing electric and hybrid-electric vehicle registration fees are waived for program participants. The RUC due on a vehicle cannot exceed the amount of fees that would have been owed had they not been waived. Currently, the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) receives 15% of the proceeds of the electric vehicle fee after the first $1 million is collected; however, the waiver would reduce these proceeds. Unfortunately, as written, the bill does not contemplate an adjustment to ensure that investments into TIB are maintained. Cities rely heavily on TIB to support and fund transportation projects like pavement preservation.

Concerns about privacy, particularly regarding location data, are addressed in the bill. It prohibits DOL from collecting “personally identifying information beyond what is necessary to calculate, report, and collect the per mile fee.” Through written consent, however, vehicle owners may provide additional information. The Department may record and report general location data under certain circumstances; it may not report specific location data without consent from the vehicle owner.

Finally, the bill sets a target date for implementation of a comprehensive, mandatory RUC program for January 2030.

To learn more about the state’s RUC research and pilot programs, visit waroadusagecharge.org. AWC has previously written about RUC here and here. Rep. Fey’s bill is not the only proposal for a statewide RUC to have come before the Legislature. Last year, Rep. Emily Wick (D–Everett) introduced such a bill, which died early in the legislative session.

Date to remember

HB 1832 is scheduled for public hearing in the House Transportation Committee on Tuesday, February 21 at 1:30 pm.