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Staff: tribal exemptions would affect less than 1% of bridge transactions; net‑revenue impact modest but administrative costs material
Summary
A sensitivity analysis of tribal discounts/exemptions found eligible tribal members would represent under 1% of I‑5 transactions and estimated net‑revenue impacts of roughly $0.4–1.5 million per year in FY2036 depending on scope; staff warned verification and customer-service costs are material.
Staff presented sensitivity testing of tribal discount and exemption options, including limited eligibility (10 tribes with direct ties to the program area) and broader statewide eligibility (38 tribes), each with either a 50% discount or a full exemption. The sensitivity assumed 60% of eligible tribal members would enroll and that discounts/exemptions would require Good2Go transponder registration and an account in good standing.
Liz Horta said the analysis found less than 1% of I‑5 bridge transactions would be eligible under any of the four sensitivities. Brent Baker explained net-revenue effects for scenario 2 (representative scenario): a 50% discount limited to 10 tribes would reduce net revenue by about $400,000 in FY2036 (roughly 0.3% of net revenue); a full exemption for the 38-tribe option could reduce net revenues by about $1.5 million (about 1.3%). Staff and WSDOT operational leads said verifying tribal membership, issuing transponders and staffing customer service to manage disputes would add administrative costs and require bilateral coordination with tribal governments.
