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Committee hears bill to change toll-rate rulemaking, remove toll-setting from APA
Summary
Senate Bill 5,702 would replace the Administrative Procedures Act rulemaking schedule for toll-setting by the Washington State Transportation Commission with a bespoke WSTC process of public notice, outreach and an open meeting; proponents say it speeds decisions needed to meet financial obligations.
Staff and Transportation Commission leaders told the House Transportation Committee that Senate Bill 5,702 would remove toll-rate setting from the Administrative Procedures Act and replace it with a WSTC-led process the commission says would be faster while preserving public notice and hearings.
Under the bill text summarized to the committee, the Washington State Transportation Commission must issue written public notice at least 30 days before it intends to set or adjust toll rates on eligible facilities, carry out public outreach on rate options, adopt rates at an open public meeting and notify the public and stakeholders within one week of adoption. The bill includes an emergency-adoption provision if the commission determines immediate action is needed to comply with the state’s legal or financial obligations. Administrative fees tied to tolling would follow the same process, and the commission would be required to post rates and policies on its website and provide remote participation for public meetings.
Rima Griffith, executive director of the Transportation Commission, said the current APA-based process averages more than five months, during which the commission cannot substantively change a proposal without restarting proceedings. Griffith told the committee the bill reflects recommendations from a 2024 commission study and would preserve public engagement while avoiding a “60 plus days” delay before adoption can take effect. She said the change is limited to the commission’s toll-rate setting authority and does not affect other regulatory functions, such as fare settings.
Staff noted the bill takes effect Jan. 1, 2026, and presented a multi-agency fiscal summary that described no cost to WSDOT and an indeterminate but minimal fiscal impact to the WSTC. The committee closed public testimony on this bill at the end of the hearing section.
No formal committee vote on the bill occurred at this meeting.
