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SB 5702

Streamlining the toll rate setting process at the transportation commission.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Keith Goehner and 2 co-sponsors

SB 5702 shifts toll rate setting from APA rulemaking to a transparent WSTC process, with notice, public input, open meetings, and emergency changes, effective Jan 1, 2026.

Effective date 1/1/2026.
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Bill Summary · SB 5702

Summary of Senate Bill 5702 (SB 5702) — Streamlining the Toll Rate Setting Process at the Transportation Commission

Purpose and intent

SB 5702 aims to accelerate and simplify how Washington state sets and adjusts toll rates for state toll facilities. By exempting toll rate setting from the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) rulemaking process and establishing a new, transparent process within the Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC), the bill seeks to ensure timely responses to changing financial and contractual obligations while preserving public engagement and accountability.

What the bill does

  • Removes toll rate setting from APA rulemaking and replaces it with a dedicated process at the WSTC.
  • Applies the same streamlined process to establishing or adjusting toll exemptions and discounts, including administrative fees.
  • Requires a structured public process for toll decisions:
    • Written public notice at least 30 days in advance that a toll rate change is being considered.
    • Public outreach to discuss possible rate options.
    • Selection and adoption of toll rates at an open public meeting after reviewing options and feedback.
    • Notification of the adopted toll rates to the public and stakeholder agencies within one week.
  • Allows emergency toll changes if immediate action is necessary to meet legal or financial obligations.
  • Mandates that all toll rates and toll policies be posted on the WSTC website.
  • Requires open public meetings to offer remote participation options.

Who/what is affected

  • Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) acts as the tolling authority and will implement the new process.
  • Eligible toll facilities and associated exemptions/discounts.
  • Public and stakeholder agencies, as well as the general public, who participate in or are affected by toll decisions.
  • Administrative fees tied to toll rate decisions must follow the same streamlined process.
  • Ferry pricing and other regulatory functions outside toll rate setting are not affected.

Key provisions and details

  • Emergency authority: Toll changes may be adopted on an emergency basis to address urgent legal/financial obligations.
  • Transparency: All rates and policies must be posted publicly; meetings must accommodate remote participation.
  • No appropriation: The bill does not allocate new funding; fiscal note is available.
  • Effective date: January 1, 2026.

Background and context

  • The WSTC is the state’s tolling authority and must review toll policies and revenues annually.
  • Under current law, toll rate setting follows the APA, which can take substantial time (the bills note an average lengthy process and potential substantive changes only through restarting rulemaking).
  • The bill follows recommendations from the WSTC’s 2023-2024 study aimed at making toll rate adjustments more open, timely, and responsive.

Implementation timeline and status

  • Introduced: February 7, 2025.
  • Legislative path: Passed both chambers in 2025; signed by the Governor.
  • Chapter 293, 2025 Laws; effective date: January 1, 2026.

Notes

  • The bill aligns toll rate setting more closely with the bond and financial covenants governing toll facilities, aiming to reduce delay while maintaining public transparency and stakeholder engagement.

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

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