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Bill

HB 1961

Directing revenues from fees, charges, or taxes assessed on motor vehicles based on miles traveled on the highways to be used for highway purposes in accordance with the state Constitution.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Cyndy Jacobsen and 2 co-sponsors

Bill directs all revenues from vehicle mileage-based fees or taxes to be used exclusively for highway infrastructure and maintenance per state constitutional requirements.

First reading, referred to Transportation.
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Bill Summary · HB 1961

Legislative bill overview

HB 1961 directs that revenues generated from vehicle mileage-based fees, charges, or taxes must be allocated exclusively for highway infrastructure and maintenance purposes. The bill ensures constitutional compliance by requiring these transportation-specific revenues to follow the state's constitutional requirements for highway funding.

Why is this important

Mileage-based taxation (often called Vehicle Miles Traveled or VMT fees) is an emerging alternative to gas taxes as vehicles become more fuel-efficient and electric. This bill clarifies that any such new revenue streams in Washington must be dedicated to roads, addressing potential constitutional questions and ensuring public trust that new transportation fees won't be diverted to unrelated purposes.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition of "highway purposes": Ambiguity over whether this includes transit, active transportation infrastructure, or only traditional road maintenance—potentially narrowing funding flexibility
  • VMT fee feasibility concerns: Privacy advocates and some businesses have raised concerns about tracking vehicle miles, which this bill implicitly endorses as a revenue mechanism
  • Existing revenue dedication conflicts: May complicate efforts to fund multimodal transportation solutions or address transportation equity if revenues must be siloed exclusively for highways

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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