Transportation Bill Would Increase Vehicle and License Fees

The Senate Transportation Committee continued its public testimony of Senate Bill 5974, which would increase vehicle-related fees, continue work toward the Move On WA goal, and increase the overall commitment to climate change initiatives in our state.

SB 5974- 2021-22 Addressing Transportation Resources

Committee Materials

Read the full Senate Bill Report (link)

The bill analysis and bill report are prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Bill

• Provides direction and requirements on the spending for a portion of the funding generated under the Climate Commitment Act.
• Removes the requirement to consider and enact legislation dealing with compliance obligations for emissions-intensive and trade-exposed industries under the Climate Commitment Act.
• Repeals the current motor vehicle fuel tax exemption for exported fuel and replaces it with a credit system in which a $0.06 per gallon tax would apply to some portion of exported fuel.
• Increases a variety of transportation taxes and fees and provides additional local government taxing authority.
• Removes language requiring passage of an additive transportation package before the Clean Fuel compliance and credit provisions go into effect.
• Makes transfers from the state general fund and other changes dealing with state general fund support.
• Makes a variety of other changes associated with financing and spending assumptions, and with certain transportation policies, as provided in the Move Ahead WA transportation package.

Proposed Fee Increases

The following are some of the proposed fee increases from SB5974:

• Dealer Temporary Permit – $15 to $40
• Plate fee – $10 to $50, $10 to $30 to replace. $4 to $20 for motorcycle, $40 to $12 to replace.
• Enhanced Driver Licenses and Indenticards – $24 to $42 for a six-year, $32 to $56 for eight-year
• License photo and update fee – $10 to $20

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Unless otherwise noted, the above information was obtained from the official Washington State Legislative website. Future meetings are subject to change. Auburn representatives in bold.