8b Full Text of Initiative 976

Initiative Measure No. 976, filed March 19, 2018 

BRING BACK OUR $30 CAR TABS 
AN ACT Relating to limiting state and local taxes, fees, and
other  charges  relating  to  vehicles;  amending  RCW  46.17.350,
46.17.355,   46.17.323,   82.08.020,   82.44.065,   81.104.140,   and
81.104.160; adding a new section to chapter 46.17 RCW; adding a new
section to chapter 82.44 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 81.112
RCW;  creating  new  sections;  repealing  RCW  46.17.365,  46.68.415,
82.80.130,  82.80.140,  82.44.035,  and  81.104.160;  and  providing  an
effective date. 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON: 

POLICIES AND PURPOSES 

NEW  SECTION.    Sec.  1.    Voters  have  repeatedly  approved
initiatives  limiting  vehicle  costs,  yet  politicians  keep  ignoring
the  voters'  repeated,  unambiguous  mandate  by  imposing  higher  and

higher vehicle taxes and fees.   It's not fair and it must stop.
Without this follow-up ballot measure, vehicle costs will continue
to skyrocket until vehicle charges are obscenely expensive, as they
were  prior  to  Initiative  695.    This  measure  and  each  of  its
provisions  limit  state  and  local  taxes,  fees,  and  other  charges
relating to motor vehicles.   This measure would limit annual motor
vehicle license fees to $30, except voter-approved charges, repeal 
and remove authority to impose certain vehicle taxes and charges;
and  base vehicle  taxes  on  Kelley  Blue  Book rather  than  the
dishonest,  inaccurate,  and  artificially  inflated  manufacturer's
suggested  retail  price  (MRSP). Voters  h  ave  repeatedly  approved
initiatives  limiting  vehicle  costs. Politicians  must  learn  to
listen to the people. 

LIMITING ANNUAL MOTOR-VEHICLE-LICENSE FEES TO $30, 
EXCEPT VOTER-APPROVED CHARGES 

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 46.17
RCW to read as follows: 
(1) State and local motor vehicle license fees may not exceed
$30 per year for motor vehicles, regardless of year, value, make, or
model.
(2) For the purposes of this section, "state and local motor
vehicle license fees" means the general license tab fees paid
annually for licensing motor vehicles, including but not limited to
cars, sport utility vehicles, light trucks under RCW 46.17.355,
motorcycles, and motor homes, and do not include charges approved by
voters after the effective date of this section.  This annual fee
must be paid and collected annually and is due at the time of
initial and renewal vehicle registration. 

Sec. 3.  RCW 46.17.350 and 2014 c 30 s 2 are each amended to
read as follows: 
(1) Before accepting an application for a vehicle registration,
the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed
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by the director shall require the applicant, unless specifically
exempt, to pay the following vehicle license fee by vehicle type: 
VEHICLE TYPE       INITIAL FEE RENEWAL   DISTRIBUTED
FEE       UNDER 
(a) Auto stage, six seats or     $ 30.00     $ 30.00    RCW 46.68.030 
less 
(b) Camper                $ 4.90      $ 3.50     RCW 46.68.030 
(c) Commercial trailer          $        $ 30.00    RCW 46.68.035 
((34.00)) 
30.00 
(d) For hire vehicle, six       $ 30.00     $ 30.00    RCW 46.68.030 
seats or less 
(e) Mobile home (if          $ 30.00     $ 30.00    RCW 46.68.030 
registered) 
(f) Moped                 $ 30.00     $ 30.00    RCW 46.68.030 
(g) Motor home            $ 30.00     $ 30.00    RCW 46.68.030 
(h) Motorcycle             $ 30.00     $ 30.00    RCW 46.68.030 
(i) Off-road vehicle         $ 18.00     $ 18.00    RCW 46.68.045 
(j) Passenger car            $ 30.00     $ 30.00    RCW 46.68.030 
(k) Private use single-axle     $ 15.00     $ 15.00    RCW 46.68.035 
trailer 
(l) Snowmobile               $           $        RCW 46.68.350 
((50.00)) ((50.00)) 
30.00      30.00 
(m) Snowmobile, vintage     $ 12.00     $ 12.00    RCW 46.68.350 
(n) Sport utility vehicle      $ 30.00     $ 30.00    RCW 46.68.030 
(o) Tow truck              $ 30.00     $ 30.00    RCW 46.68.030 
(p) Trailer, over 2000        $ 30.00     $ 30.00    RCW 46.68.030 
pounds 
(q) Travel trailer            $ 30.00     $ 30.00    RCW 46.68.030 
(r) Wheeled all-terrain        $ 12.00     $ 12.00    RCW 46.09.540 
vehicle, on-road
use 

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(s) Wheeled all-terrain        $ 18.00     $ 18.00    RCW 46.09.510 
vehicle, off-road
use 
(2) The vehicle license fee required in subsection (1) of this
section  is  in  addition  to  the  filing  fee  required  under  RCW
46.17.005, and any other fee or tax required by law. 
Sec. 4.   RCW 46.17.355 and 2015 3rd sp.s. c 44 s 201 are each
amended to read as follows: 
(1)(a)  For  vehicle  registrations  that  are  due  or  become  due
before July 1, 2016, in lieu of the vehicle license fee required
under  RCW  46.17.350  and  before  accepting  an  application  for  a
vehicle registration for motor vehicles described in RCW 46.16A.455,
the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed
by  the  director  shall  require  the  applicant,  unless  specifically
exempt, to pay the following license fee by weight: 
WEIGHT                  SCHEDULE A                SCHEDULE B 
4,000 pounds                           $ 38.00                             $ 38.00 
6,000 pounds                           $ 48.00                             $ 48.00 
8,000 pounds                           $ 58.00                             $ 58.00 
10,000 pounds                          $ 60.00                             $ 60.00 
12,000 pounds                          $ 77.00                             $ 77.00 
14,000 pounds                          $ 88.00                             $ 88.00 
16,000 pounds                          $ 100.00                            $ 100.00 
18,000 pounds                          $ 152.00                            $ 152.00 
20,000 pounds                          $ 169.00                            $ 169.00 
22,000 pounds                          $ 183.00                            $ 183.00 
24,000 pounds                          $ 198.00                            $ 198.00 
26,000 pounds                          $ 209.00                            $ 209.00 
28,000 pounds                          $ 247.00                            $ 247.00 
30,000 pounds                          $ 285.00                            $ 285.00 
32,000 pounds                          $ 344.00                            $ 344.00 
34,000 pounds                          $ 366.00                            $ 366.00 
36,000 pounds                          $ 397.00                            $ 397.00 
38,000 pounds                          $ 436.00                            $ 436.00 
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40,000 pounds                          $ 499.00                            $ 499.00 
42,000 pounds                          $ 519.00                            $ 609.00 
44,000 pounds                          $ 530.00                            $ 620.00 
46,000 pounds                          $ 570.00                            $ 660.00 
48,000 pounds                          $ 594.00                            $ 684.00 
50,000 pounds                          $ 645.00                            $ 735.00 
52,000 pounds                          $ 678.00                            $ 768.00 
54,000 pounds                          $ 732.00                            $ 822.00 
56,000 pounds                          $ 773.00                            $ 863.00 
58,000 pounds                          $ 804.00                            $ 894.00 
60,000 pounds                          $ 857.00                            $ 947.00 
62,000 pounds                          $ 919.00                           $ 1,009.00 
64,000 pounds                          $ 939.00                           $ 1,029.00 
66,000 pounds                         $ 1,046.00                           $ 1,136.00 
68,000 pounds                         $ 1,091.00                           $ 1,181.00 
70,000 pounds                         $ 1,175.00                           $ 1,265.00 
72,000 pounds                         $ 1,257.00                           $ 1,347.00 
74,000 pounds                         $ 1,366.00                           $ 1,456.00 
76,000 pounds                         $ 1,476.00                           $ 1,566.00 
78,000 pounds                         $ 1,612.00                           $ 1,702.00 
80,000 pounds                         $ 1,740.00                           $ 1,830.00 
82,000 pounds                         $ 1,861.00                           $ 1,951.00 
84,000 pounds                         $ 1,981.00                           $ 2,071.00 
86,000 pounds                         $ 2,102.00                           $ 2,192.00 
88,000 pounds                         $ 2,223.00                           $ 2,313.00 
90,000 pounds                         $ 2,344.00                           $ 2,434.00 
92,000 pounds                         $ 2,464.00                           $ 2,554.00 
94,000 pounds                         $ 2,585.00                           $ 2,675.00 
96,000 pounds                         $ 2,706.00                           $ 2,796.00 
98,000 pounds                         $ 2,827.00                           $ 2,917.00 
100,000 pounds                        $ 2,947.00                          $ 3,037.00 
102,000 pounds                        $ 3,068.00                          $ 3,158.00 
104,000 pounds                        $ 3,189.00                          $ 3,279.00 
105,500 pounds                        $ 3,310.00                          $ 3,400.00 

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(b) For vehicle registrations that are due or become due on or
after July 1, 2016, in lieu of the vehicle license fee required
under RCW 46.17.350 and before accepting an application for a
vehicle registration for motor vehicles described in RCW 46.16A.455,
the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed
by the director shall require the applicant, unless specifically
exempt, to pay the following license fee by gross weight: 
WEIGHT                  SCHEDULE A                SCHEDULE B 
4,000 pounds                     $ ((53.00)) 30.00                  $ ((53.00)) 30.00 
6,000 pounds                     $ ((73.00)) 30.00                  $ ((73.00)) 30.00 
8,000 pounds                     $ ((93.00)) 30.00                  $ ((93.00)) 30.00 
10,000 pounds                    $ ((93.00)) 30.00                  $ ((93.00)) 30.00 
12,000 pounds                          $ 81.00                             $ 81.00 
14,000 pounds                          $ 88.00                             $ 88.00 
16,000 pounds                          $ 100.00                            $ 100.00 
18,000 pounds                          $ 152.00                            $ 152.00 
20,000 pounds                          $ 169.00                            $ 169.00 
22,000 pounds                          $ 183.00                            $ 183.00 
24,000 pounds                          $ 198.00                            $ 198.00 
26,000 pounds                          $ 209.00                            $ 209.00 
28,000 pounds                          $ 247.00                            $ 247.00 
30,000 pounds                          $ 285.00                            $ 285.00 
32,000 pounds                          $ 344.00                            $ 344.00 
34,000 pounds                          $ 366.00                            $ 366.00 
36,000 pounds                          $ 397.00                            $ 397.00 
38,000 pounds                          $ 436.00                            $ 436.00 
40,000 pounds                          $ 499.00                            $ 499.00 
42,000 pounds                          $ 519.00                            $ 609.00 
44,000 pounds                          $ 530.00                            $ 620.00 
46,000 pounds                          $ 570.00                            $ 660.00 
48,000 pounds                          $ 594.00                            $ 684.00 
50,000 pounds                          $ 645.00                            $ 735.00 
52,000 pounds                          $ 678.00                            $ 768.00 
54,000 pounds                          $ 732.00                            $ 822.00 
56,000 pounds                          $ 773.00                            $ 863.00 
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58,000 pounds                          $ 804.00                            $ 894.00 
60,000 pounds                          $ 857.00                            $ 947.00 
62,000 pounds                          $ 919.00                           $ 1,009.00 
64,000 pounds                          $ 939.00                           $ 1,029.00 
66,000 pounds                         $ 1,046.00                           $ 1,136.00 
68,000 pounds                         $ 1,091.00                           $ 1,181.00 
70,000 pounds                         $ 1,175.00                           $ 1,265.00 
72,000 pounds                         $ 1,257.00                           $ 1,347.00 
74,000 pounds                         $ 1,366.00                           $ 1,456.00 
76,000 pounds                         $ 1,476.00                           $ 1,566.00 
78,000 pounds                         $ 1,612.00                           $ 1,702.00 
80,000 pounds                         $ 1,740.00                           $ 1,830.00 
82,000 pounds                         $ 1,861.00                           $ 1,951.00 
84,000 pounds                         $ 1,981.00                           $ 2,071.00 
86,000 pounds                         $ 2,102.00                           $ 2,192.00 
88,000 pounds                         $ 2,223.00                           $ 2,313.00 
90,000 pounds                         $ 2,344.00                           $ 2,434.00 
92,000 pounds                         $ 2,464.00                           $ 2,554.00 
94,000 pounds                         $ 2,585.00                           $ 2,675.00 
96,000 pounds                         $ 2,706.00                           $ 2,796.00 
98,000 pounds                         $ 2,827.00                           $ 2,917.00 
100,000 pounds                        $ 2,947.00                          $ 3,037.00 
102,000 pounds                        $ 3,068.00                          $ 3,158.00 
104,000 pounds                        $ 3,189.00                          $ 3,279.00 
105,500 pounds                        $ 3,310.00                          $ 3,400.00 
(2) Schedule A applies to vehicles either used exclusively for
hauling logs or that do not tow trailers. Schedule B applies to
vehicles that tow trailers and are not covered under Schedule A. 
(3) If the resultant gross weight is not listed in the table
provided in subsection (1) of this section, it must be increased to
the next higher weight. 
(4) The license fees provided in subsection (1) of this section
and the freight project fee provided in subsection (((6))) (7) of
this section are in addition to the filing fee required under RCW
46.17.005 and any other fee or tax required by law. 
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(5) The license fees provided in subsection (1) of this section
for light trucks weighing 10,000 pounds or less are limited to $30. 
(6) The license fee based on declared gross weight as provided
in subsection (1) of this section must be distributed under RCW
46.68.035. 
(((6))) (7) For vehicle registrations that are due or become due
on or after July 1, 2016, in addition to the license fee based on
declared gross weight as provided in subsection (1) of this section,
the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed
by the director must require an applicant with a vehicle with a
declared gross weight of more than 10,000 pounds, unless
specifically exempt, to pay a freight project fee equal to fifteen
percent of the license fee provided in subsection (1) of this
section, rounded to the nearest whole dollar, which must be
distributed under RCW 46.68.035. 
(((7))) (8) For vehicle registrations that are due or become due
on or after July 1, 2022, in addition to the license fee based on
declared gross weight as provided in subsection (1) of this section,
the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed
by the director must require an applicant with a vehicle with a
declared gross weight of less than or equal to 12,000 pounds, unless
specifically exempt, to pay an additional weight fee of ten dollars,
which must be distributed under RCW 46.68.035. 

Sec. 5.  RCW 46.17.323 and 2015 3rd sp.s. c 44 s 203 are each
amended to read as follows: 
(1) Before accepting an application for an annual vehicle
registration renewal for a vehicle that both (a) uses at least one
method of propulsion that is capable of being reenergized by an
external source of electricity and (b) is capable of traveling at
least thirty miles using only battery power, the department, county
auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director must
require the applicant to pay a ((one hundred dollar fee in addition
to any other fees and taxes required by law)) $30 fee. The (( one

8

hundred thirty dollar)) $30 fee is due only at the time of annual
registration renewal. 
(2) This section only applies to a vehicle that is designed to
have the capability to drive at a speed of more than thirty-five
miles per hour. 
(3)(((a) The fee under this section is imposed to provide funds
to mitigate the impact of vehicles on state roads and highways and
for the purpose of evaluating the feasibility of transitioning from
a revenue collection system based on fuel taxes to a road user
assessment system, and is separate and distinct from other vehicle
license fees. Proceeds from the fee must be used for highway
purposes, and must be deposited in the motor vehicle fund created in
RCW 46.68.070, subject to (b) of this subsection. 
(b))) If in any year the amount of proceeds from the fee
collected under this section exceeds one million dollars, the excess
amount over one million dollars must be deposited as follows: 
(((i))) (a) Seventy percent to the motor vehicle fund created in
RCW 46.68.070; 
(((ii))) (b) Fifteen percent to the transportation improvement
account created in RCW 47.26.084; and 
(((iii))) (c) Fifteen percent to the rural arterial trust
account created in RCW 36.79.020. 
(((4)(a) In addition to the fee established in subsection (1) of
this section, before accepting an application for an annual vehicle
registration renewal for a vehicle that both (i) uses at least one
method of propulsion that is capable of being reenergized by an
external source of electricity and (ii) is capable of traveling at
least thirty miles using only battery power, the department, county
auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director must
require the applicant to pay a fifty dollar fee. 
(b) The fee required under (a) of this subsection must be
distributed as follows: 
(i) The first one million dollars raised by the fee must be
deposited into the multimodal transportation account created in RCW
47.66.070; and 
9

(ii) Any remaining amounts must be deposited into the motor
vehicle fund created in RCW 46.68.070. 
(5) This section applies to annual vehicle registration renewals
until the effective date of enacted legislation that imposes a
vehicle miles traveled fee or tax.)) 
REPEAL AND REMOVE AUTHORITY TO IMPOSE 
CERTAIN VEHICLE TAXES AND CHARGES 

Sec. 6.  The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed: 
(1) RCW 46.17.365 (Motor vehicle weight feeMotor home vehicle
weight fee) and 2015 3rd sp.s. c 44 s 202 & 2010 c 161 s 533; 
(2) RCW 46.68.415 (Motor vehicle weight fee, motor home vehicle
weight feeDisposition) and 2010 c 161 s 813; 
(3) RCW 82.80.130 (Passenger-only ferry serviceLocal option
motor vehicle excise tax authorized) and 2010 c 161 s 916, 2006 c
318 s 4, & 2003 c 83 s 206; and 
(4) RCW 82.80.140 (Vehicle feeTransportation benefit district
Exemptions) and 2015 3rd sp.s. c 44 s 310, 2010 c 161 s 917, 2007 c 
329 s 2, & 2005 c 336 s 16. 

Sec. 7.  RCW 82.08.020 and 2014 c 140 s 12 are each amended to
read as follows: 
(1) There is levied and collected a tax equal to six and fivetenths
percent of the selling price on each retail sale in this
state of: 
(a) Tangible personal property, unless the sale is specifically
excluded from the RCW 82.04.050 definition of retail sale; 
(b) Digital goods, digital codes, and digital automated
services, if the sale is included within the RCW 82.04.050
definition of retail sale; 
(c) Services, other than digital automated services, included
within the RCW 82.04.050 definition of retail sale; 
(d) Extended warranties to consumers; and 

10

(e) Anything else, the sale of which is included within the RCW
82.04.050 definition of retail sale. 
(2) There is levied and collected an additional tax on each
retail car rental, regardless of whether the vehicle is licensed in
this state, equal to five and nine-tenths percent of the selling
price. The revenue collected under this subsection must be deposited
in the multimodal transportation account created in RCW 47.66.070. 
(3) ((Beginning July 1, 2003, there is levied and collected an
additional tax of three-tenths of one percent of the selling price
on each retail sale of a motor vehicle in this state, other than
retail car rentals taxed under subsection (2) of this section. The
revenue collected under this subsection must be deposited in the
multimodal transportation account created in RCW 47.66.070. 
(4) For purposes of subsection (3) of this section, "motor
vehicle" has the meaning provided in RCW 46.04.320, but does not
include: 
(a) Farm tractors or farm vehicles as defined in RCW 46.04.180
and 46.04.181, unless the farm tractor or farm vehicle is for use in
the production of marijuana; 
(b) Off-road vehicles as defined in RCW 46.04.365; 
(c) Nonhighway vehicles as defined in RCW 46.09.310; and 
(d) Snowmobiles as defined in RCW 46.04.546. 
(5))) Beginning on December 8, 2005, 0.16 percent of the taxes
collected under subsection (1) of this section must be dedicated to
funding comprehensive performance audits required under RCW
43.09.470. The revenue identified in this subsection must be
deposited in the performance audits of government account created in
RCW 43.09.475. 
(((6))) (4) The taxes imposed under this chapter apply to
successive retail sales of the same property. 
(((7))) (5) The rates provided in this section apply to taxes
imposed under chapter 82.12 RCW as provided in RCW 82.12.020. 
BASE VEHICLE TAXES USING KELLEY BLUE BOOK VALUE 

11

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8.  A new section is added to chapter 82.44
RCW to read as follows: 
(1) BASE VEHICLE TAXES USING KELLEY BLUE BOOK VALUE.  Any motor
vehicle excise tax must be calculated in an honest and accurate way
so the burden on vehicle owners is not artificially inflated.  For 
the purpose of determining a vehicle tax, a taxing district imposing
a vehicle tax must set a vehicle's taxable value at the vehicle's
base  model  Kelley  Blue  book  value.   This  ensures  an  honest  and
accurate  calculation  of  the  tax  and,  combined  with  the  appeal
process in RCW 82.44.065, ensures that vehicle owners are taxed on
their vehicle's market value.
(2) For the purpose of determining a tax under this chapter,
the value of a truck-type power or trailing unit, or motor vehicle,
including a passenger vehicle, motorcycle, motor home, sport utility
vehicle,  or  light  duty  truck  is the  base  model  Kelley  Blue  book 
value  of  the  vehicle,  excluding  applicable  federal  excise  taxes,
state  and  local  sales  or  use  taxes,  transportation  or  shipping
costs, or preparatory or delivery costs. 
Sec. 9.   RCW 82.44.065 and 2010 c 161 s 912 each amended to
read as follows: 
If the department determines a value for a vehicle ((equivalent
to a manufacturer's base suggested retail price or the value of a
truck or trailer under RCW 82.44.035)) under section 8 of this act,
any person who pays a state or locally imposed tax for that vehicle
may appeal the valuation to the department under chapter 34.05 RCW.
If the taxpayer is successful on appeal, the department shall refund
the  excess  tax  in  the  manner  provided  in  RCW  82.44.120.   Using
Kelley Blue Book value ensures an honest and accurate calculation. 

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 10.  RCW 81.104.140 and 2015 3rd sp.s. c 44 s
318 are each amended to read as follows: 
(1) Agencies authorized to provide high capacity transportation
service, including transit agencies and regional transit
authorities, and regional transportation investment districts acting
12

with the agreement of an agency, are hereby granted dedicated
funding sources for such systems.  These dedicated funding sources,
as set forth in RCW 81.104.150, 81.104.160, 81.104.170, and
81.104.175, are authorized only for agencies located in (a) each
county with a population of two hundred ten thousand or more and (b)
each county with a population of from one hundred twenty-five
thousand to less than two hundred ten thousand except for those
counties that do not border a county with a population as described
under (a) of this subsection. In any county with a population of one
million or more or in any county having a population of four hundred
thousand or more bordering a county with a population of one million
or more, these funding sources may be imposed only by a regional
transit authority or a regional transportation investment district.
Regional transportation investment districts may, with the approval
of the regional transit authority within its boundaries, impose the
taxes authorized under this chapter, but only upon approval of the
voters and to the extent that the maximum amount of taxes authorized
under this chapter have not been imposed. 
(2) Agencies planning to construct and operate a high capacity
transportation system should also seek other funds, including
federal, state, local, and private sector assistance. 
(3) Funding sources should satisfy each of the following
criteria to the greatest extent possible: 
(a) Acceptability; 
(b) Ease of administration; 
(c) Equity; 
(d) Implementation feasibility; 
(e) Revenue reliability; and 
(f) Revenue yield. 
(4)(a) Agencies participating in regional high capacity
transportation system development are authorized to levy and collect
the following voter-approved local option funding sources: 
(i) Employer tax as provided in RCW 81.104.150, other than by
regional transportation investment districts; 
(ii) ((Special motor vehicle excise tax as provided in RCW
13

81.104.160; 
(iii))) Regular property tax as provided in 81.104.175; and 
(((iv))) (iii) Sales and use tax as provided in RCW 81.104.170. 
(b) Revenues from these taxes may be used only to support those
purposes prescribed in subsection (10) of this section.  Before the
date of an election authorizing an agency to impose any of the taxes
enumerated in this section and authorized in RCW 81.104.150,
81.104.160, 81.104.170, and 81.104.175, the agency must comply with
the process prescribed in RCW 81.104.100 (1) and (2) and 81.104.110.
No construction on exclusive right-of-way may occur before the
requirements of RCW 81.104.100(3) are met. 
(5) Except for the regular property tax authorized in
81.104.175, the authorization in subsection (4) of this section may
not adversely affect the funding authority of transit agencies not
provided for in this chapter.  Local option funds may be used to
support implementation of interlocal agreements with respect to the
establishment of regional high capacity transportation service.
Except when a regional transit authority exists, local jurisdictions
must retain control over moneys generated within their boundaries,
although funds may be commingled with those generated in other areas
for planning, construction, and operation of high capacity
transportation systems as set forth in the agreements. 
(6) Except for the regular property tax authorized in
81.104.175, agencies planning to construct and operate high capacity
transportation systems may contract with the state for collection
and transference of voter-approved local option revenue. 
(7) Dedicated high capacity transportation funding sources
authorized in RCW 81.104.150, 81.104.160, 81.104.170, and 81.104.175
are subject to voter approval by a simple majority. A single ballot
proposition may seek approval for one or more of the authorized
taxing sources.  The ballot title must reference the document
identified in subsection (8) of this section. 
(8) Agencies must provide to the registered voters in the area a
document describing the systems plan and the financing plan set
forth in RCW 81.104.100. It must also describe the relationship of
14

the system to regional issues such as development density at station
locations and activity centers, and the interrelationship of the
system to adopted land use and transportation demand management
goals within the region. This document must be provided to the
voters at least twenty days prior to the date of the election. 
(9) For any election in which voter approval is sought for a
high capacity transportation system plan and financing plan pursuant
to RCW 81.104.040, a local voter's pamphlet must be produced as
provided in chapter 29A.32 RCW. 
(10)(a) Agencies providing high capacity transportation service
must retain responsibility for revenue encumbrance, disbursement,
and bonding. Funds may be used for any purpose relating to planning,
construction, and operation of high capacity transportation systems
and commuter rail systems, personal rapid transit, busways, bus
sets, and entrained and linked buses. 
(b) A regional transit authority that ((imposes a motor vehicle
excise tax after the effective date of this section,)) imposes a
property tax((,)) or increases a sales and use tax to more than
nine-tenths of one percent must undertake a process in which the
authority's board formally considers inclusion of the name, Scott
White, in the naming convention associated with either the
University of Washington or Roosevelt stations. 
NEW SECTION. Sec. 11.  The following acts or parts of acts are
each repealed: 
(1) RCW 82.44.035 (Valuation of vehicles) and 2010 c 161 s 910 &
2006 c 318 s 1; and 
(2)  RCW  81.104.160  (Motor  vehicle  excise  tax  for  regional
transit  authorities---Sales  and  use  tax  on  car  rentals---Former
motor vehicle excise tax repealed) and 2015 3rd sp.s. c 44 s 319,
2010 c 161 s 903, 2009 c 280 s 4, 2003 c 1 s 6 (Initiative Measure
No. 776, approved November 5, 2002), & 1998 c 321 s 35 (Referendum
Bill No. 49, approved November 3, 1998). 

15

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 12.  A new section is added to chapter 81.112
RCW to read as follows: 
In order to effectuate the policies, purposes, and intent of
this act and to ensure that the motor vehicle excise taxes repealed
by this act are no longer imposed or collected, an authority that
imposes a motor vehicle excise tax under RCW 81.104.160 must fully
retire, defease, or refinance any outstanding bonds issued under
this chapter if: 
(1) Any revenue collected prior to the effective date of this
section from the motor vehicle excise tax imposed under RCW 
81.104.160 has been pledged to such bonds; and 
(2) The bonds, by virtue of the terms of the bond contract,
covenants, or similar terms, may be retired or defeased early or
refinanced. 

Sec. 13.  RCW 81.104.160 and 2015 3rd sp.s. c 44 s 319 are each
amended to read as follows: 
(1) Regional transit authorities that include a county with a
population of more than one million five hundred thousand may submit
an authorizing proposition to the voters, and if approved, may levy
and collect an excise tax, at a rate approved by the voters, but not
exceeding ((eight-tenths)) two-tenths of one percent on the value,
under chapter 82.44 RCW, of every motor vehicle owned by a resident
of the taxing district, solely for the purpose of providing high
capacity transportation service.  The maximum tax rate under this
subsection does not include a motor vehicle excise tax approved
before the effective date of this section if the tax will terminate
on the date bond debt to which the tax is pledged is repaid.  This
tax does not apply to vehicles licensed under RCW 46.16A.455 except
vehicles with an unladen weight of six thousand pounds or less, RCW
46.16A.425 or 46.17.335(2).  Notwithstanding any other provision of
this subsection or chapter 82.44 RCW, a motor vehicle excise tax
imposed by a regional transit authority before or after the
effective date of this section must comply with chapter 82.44 RCW as
it existed on January 1, 1996, until December 31st of the year in
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which the regional transit authority repays bond debt to which a
motor vehicle excise tax was pledged before the effective date of
this section. Motor vehicle taxes collected by regional transit
authorities after December 31st of the year in which a regional
transit authority repays bond debt to which a motor vehicle excise
tax was pledged before the effective date of this section must
comply with chapter 82.44 RCW as it existed on the date the tax was
approved by voters. 
(2) An agency and high capacity transportation corridor area may
impose a sales and use tax solely for the purpose of providing high
capacity transportation service, in addition to the tax authorized
by RCW 82.14.030, upon retail car rentals within the applicable
jurisdiction that are taxable by the state under chapters 82.08 and
82.12 RCW.  The rate of tax may not exceed 2.172 percent.  The rate
of tax imposed under this subsection must bear the same ratio of the
2.172 percent authorized that the rate imposed under subsection (1)
of this section bears to the rate authorized under subsection (1) of
this section.  The base of the tax is the selling price in the case
of a sales tax or the rental value of the vehicle used in the case
of a use tax. 
(3) Any motor vehicle excise tax previously imposed under the
provisions of RCW 81.104.160(1) shall be repealed, terminated, and
expire on December 5, 2002, except for a motor vehicle excise tax
for which revenues have been contractually pledged to repay a bonded
debt issued before December 5, 2002, as determined by Pierce County
et al. v. State, 159 Wn.2d 16, 148 P.3d 1002 (2006).  In the case of
bonds that were previously issued, the motor vehicle excise tax must
comply with chapter 82.44 RCW as it existed on January 1, 1996. 
(4) If a regional transit authority imposes the tax authorized
under subsection (1) of this section, the authority may not receive
any state grant funds provided in an omnibus transportation
appropriations act except transit coordination grants created in
chapter 11, Laws of 2015 3rd sp. sess. 

17

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 14.  CONSTRUCTION CLAUSE.  The provisions of
this act are to be liberally construed to effectuate the intent,
policies, and purposes of this act. 

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 15.  SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.  If any provision
of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held
invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the
provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected. 

NEW SECTION. Sec. 16.  EFFECTIVE DATE. (1) Sections 10 and 11 of
this act take effect on the date that the regional transit authority
complies  with  section  12 of  this  act  and  retires,  defeases,  or
refinances its outstanding bonds.
(2) Section 13 takes effect April 1, 2020, if sections 10 and 11 
of this act have not taken effect by March 31, 2020.
(3) The regional transit authority must provide written notice
of the effective dates of sections 10, 11, and 13 of this act to
affected parties, the chief clerk of the house of representatives,
the secretary of the senate, the office of the code reviser, and
others as deemed appropriate by the regional transit authority.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 17.  TITLE.  This act is known and may be
cited as "Bring Back Our $30 Car Tabs." 
--- END --- 





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