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Bill would require toll suspension on evacuation routes during declared emergencies
Summary
Representative Lowe introduced HB 2,379, which would require WSDOT to immediately suspend tolling on facilities reasonably construed to be evacuation routes during emergencies; staff noted indeterminate fiscal impacts and provided a sample weekly revenue range for large facilities.
Representative Lowe told the committee House Bill 2,379 responds to recent evacuations and would require the Washington State Department of Transportation to suspend tolls on routes that could reasonably be considered evacuation routes during emergencies.
“I think that's not something people should be thinking about when they're trying to evacuate,” Lowe said, describing recent local evacuations and a constituent question about toll charges while fleeing danger.
Staff explained the legislature alone has authority to authorize tolls on eligible facilities and that WSDOT would be required to suspend tolling immediately during an emergency and to resume when suspension is no longer necessary to facilitate evacuation. The bill as presented would take effect in October 2026.
Fiscal witnesses described an indeterminate local fiscal impact related to work‑group or implementation costs; WSDOT provided a sample revenue impact range if tolls were suspended for a week, estimating about $50,000 up to $2,000,000 for large facilities such as SR‑520 or the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The committee closed public testimony on HB 2,379; no committee vote on the bill was recorded at this hearing.
