The Senate Transportation Committee is scheduled to hear three bills related to electric vehicle fees, including a bill to implement a per mile charge on electric and hybrid vehicles.

SB 5444, sponsored by Sen. Rebecca Saldana (D–Seattle), establishes a per mile fee on certain electric and hybrid vehicles by July 1, 2026. The bill repeals the $150 in combined electric vehicle fees and the $75 transportation electrification fee by the time the per mile fee goes into effect. All revenue generated from the per mile fee must be used for preservation and maintenance and must be deposited in the Motor Vehicle Fund.

SB 5308, sponsored by Sen. Shelly Short (R–Addy), removes the $75 hybrid vehicle transportation electrification fee assessed on hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles at time of annual registration renewal.

SB 5085, sponsored by Sen. Christine Rolfes (D–Bainbridge Island), exempts electric motorcycles from the $100 annual registration fees for alternative fuel vehicles and instead assesses an annual $30 registration fee for electric motorcycles.

Additionally, the House Transportation Committee plans to hold a work session on Thursday, February 18 to explore current and emerging transportation needs. To better understand local government transportation needs, the Committee will hear from several local government representatives, including a representative on behalf of cities.

Dates to remember

SB 5444, SB 5308 & SB 5085 are scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Transportation Committee on Thursday, February 18 at 1:30 pm.

The House Transportation work session will also be held on February 18 at 1:30 pm.