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Senate Transportation Committee hears public comment on SB 5726 road-usage charge
Summary
The Senate Transportation Committee held a public hearing on SB 5726, a proposal for a per-mile road-usage charge with a surcharge to fund transit. Supporters including the Puget Sound Regional Council and car dealers praised the usage-based approach; rural residents, a nurse and others warned of added costs and access problems.
The Senate Transportation Committee heard public testimony on SB 5726, a proposal to charge drivers by the mile and impose a surcharge to fund transit, at a public hearing that concluded with the committee adjourning after public comment.
The bill drew support from regional planners and the auto-dealer industry and prompted concerns from rural residents and a nurse who said the measure would increase the cost of accessing health care. Chair Elias presided over the hearing and accepted testimony from residents, business representatives and regional agencies.
Joe Kunstler, a public commenter, said he “really appreciate[d] the surcharge to fund transit” and called for a clear voter mandate, urging supporters to place the question on a November ballot so opponents cannot force a later referendum. Scott Hazelgrove, representing new-car dealers, said dealers favor usage-based charges and warned that…
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