Washington Business Fall 2015 | Legislative Review

2015 legislative review provided the vehicle is used for commercial purposes. A person is limited to $250,000 per year and funding is provided from the transportation budget. The credit covers 50 percent of the incremental cost of the vehicle, up to a certain cap based on the vehicle’s weight class. SHB 1396 and SB 5325 were incorporated in the larger transportation revenue package that was adopted by the Legislature and signed by the governor. AWB supported Substitute House Bill 1822, sponsored by Rep. Jessyn Farrell, D-Seattle, and Substitute Senate Bill 5323, sponsored by Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, which extends the commute trip reduction tax credit for businesses. The tax credit is meant to offset costs related to the state’s commute trip reduction program. Among other administrative changes, these bills extend the tax credit for an additional 10 years. SHB 1822 and SB 5323 were incorporated in the larger transportation revenue package that was adopted by the Legislature and signed by the governor. panies across Washington state that have an interest in general aviation. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) asked AWB to serve on its advisory committee for its Airport Investment Study and continue on with the second phase exploring ways to fund the infrastructure needs at Washington’s public-use airports. Instead of increasing taxes or fees, members of AWB’s Aviation Task Force recommended that officials maximize the existing aircraft excise tax that aircraft owners already pay. Currently, aircraft owners pay an annual excise tax, but 90 percent of the revenue is deposited in the general fund, while only 10 percent funds aeronautics. After many months of working with general aviation members and gathering input from agency staff, airport managers, and pilots, Rep. Dent and Sen. Hobbs introduced HB 1526 and SSB 5324, legislation that dedicates 100 percent of the funds to the aeronautics account to be used for aviation purposes. Thanks to the leadership of Sen. Hobbs and Rep. Dent, HB 1526 and SSB 5324 were incorporated in two larger budget bills that were ultimately adopted by the Legislature and signed by the governor. HB 1526/SSB 5324 SHB 2087 SHB 1822/SB 5323 commute trip reduction tax credit Passed (incorporated in 2ESSB 5987)/ AWB Supported aircraft excise tax protection Passed (incorporated in SB 6057 and 2ESSB 5988)/AWB Supported AWB supported House Bill 1526 sponsored by Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, and Substitute Senate Bill 5324, sponsored by Sen. Steve Hobbs, D -Lake Stevens, which protect the aircraft excise tax for aviation purposes. AWB maintains an active Aviation Task Force consisting of member com- 30 association of washington business electric vehicle incentives Passed (incorporated in 2ESSB 5987)/ AWB Supported Substitute House Bill 2087, sponsored by Rep. Jake Fey, D -Tacoma, extends and modifies the sales tax exemption on the purchase of certain alterative fueled vehicles. The bill provides a sales tax exemption on vehicles valued at $35,000 or less and establishes a new $50 fee on registration renewals, bringing the total registration fee for alternative fueled vehicles to $150 per year. SHB 2087 was incorporated in the larger transportation revenue package that was adopted by the Legislature and signed by the governor. SHB 1851 expedited permitting for local bridges Passed/AWB Supported AWB supported Substitute House Bill 1851, sponsored by Rep. Dave Hayes, R-Camano Island, which creates an expedited permitting and contracting process for bridges owned by local governments that are deemed structurally deficient. The bill allows the state Department of Ecology to exempt local bridges from certain State Environmental Protection Act requirements. The repair project must be on a local bridge that is structurally deficient and within an existing right of way, and that does not add vehicle lanes or change the capacity or function. SHB 1851 passed the House 98-0 and was adopted in the Senate by a vote of 43-5. HB 1219 expedited permitting for state bridges Passed/AWB Supported AWB supported House Bill L

Washington Business Fall 2015 | Legislative Review | Page 32