The definitions in this section apply throughout this subchapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(1) “Eligible toll facility” or “eligible toll facilities” means portions of the state highway system specifically identified by the legislature including, but not limited to, transportation corridors, bridges, crossings, interchanges, on-ramps, off-ramps, approaches, bistate facilities, and interconnections between highways.

(2) “Express toll lanes” means one or more high occupancy vehicle lanes of a highway in which the department charges tolls primarily as a means of regulating access to or use of the lanes to maintain travel speed and reliability.

(3) “Toll revenue” or “revenue from an eligible toll facility” means toll receipts, all interest income derived from the investment of toll receipts, and any gifts, grants, or other funds received for the benefit of transportation facilities in the state, including eligible toll facilities.

(4) “Tolling authority” means the governing body that is legally empowered to review and adjust toll rates. Unless otherwise delegated, the transportation commission is the tolling authority for all state highways.

Reviser’s note: (1) The definitions in this section have been alphabetized pursuant to RCW 1.08.015(2)(k).

(2) This section was amended by 2011 c 369 § 2 and by 2011 c 377 § 7, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).

Finding—2012 c 36: “The legislature finds that the replacement and improvement of the Interstate 5 Columbia river crossing is critical for the west coast’s transportation system and for the safety of Washington and Oregon drivers. The interstate bridge includes two side-by-side structures built in 1917 and 1958. In 2005, approximately one hundred thirty-four thousand vehicles traveled across the interstate bridge each day, and about forty billion dollars in freight crosses the river each year. Collisions on and near the bridge occur at a rate almost twice as high as other similar urban highways, and the aging bridges are vulnerable to earthquakes. Replacing these structures and making multimodal improvements to facilitate travel in the bistate corridor is essential for the economy of the region. Therefore, the state must develop a comprehensive approach to fund an Interstate 5 Columbia river crossing project.” [ 2012 c 36 § 1.]

*Contingent effective date—2012 c 36: “Except for section 4 of this act, this act takes effect upon, and tolls may not be collected on the Columbia river crossing project until: (1) Certification of the secretary of transportation to the governor that the department of transportation has received satisfactory evidence that sufficient funding, including federal funds, will be available to complete the phase of the Columbia river crossing project that includes the construction of the Columbia river bridge and landings; and (2) the agreement or agreements described in section 4 of this act have taken effect. If the secretary of transportation does not provide such certification to the governor by December 31, 2015, this act, except for section 4 of this act, is null and void.” [ 2012 c 36 § 7.]

*Reviser’s note: The contingency in 2012 c 36 § 7 did not occur by December 31, 2015.

Notice of certification and toll rate agreements—2012 c 36: “The secretary of transportation must provide notice that the governor has received certification as described under section 7 of this act to affected parties, the chief clerk of the house of representatives, the secretary of the senate, the office of the code reviser, and others as deemed appropriate by the secretary. Additionally, the tolling authority, as defined in RCW 47.56.810, must provide written notice that the agreements described under section 4 of this act have taken effect to affected parties, the chief clerk of the house of representatives, the secretary of the senate, the office of the code reviser, and others as deemed appropriate by the tolling authority.” [ 2012 c 36 § 8.]

Effective date—2011 c 377: See note following RCW 47.56.796.

Intent—2011 c 369: See note following RCW 47.56.880.

The definitions in this section apply throughout this subchapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(1) “Eligible toll facility” or “eligible toll facilities” means portions of the state highway system specifically identified by the legislature including, but not limited to, transportation corridors, bridges, crossings, interchanges, on-ramps, off-ramps, approaches, bistate facilities, and interconnections between highways. For purposes of a bistate facility, the legislature may define an “eligible toll facility” to include a part of a project that may extend beyond the state border.

(2) “Express toll lanes” means one or more high occupancy vehicle lanes of a highway in which the department charges tolls primarily as a means of regulating access to or use of the lanes to maintain travel speed and reliability.

(3) “Toll revenue” or “revenue from an eligible toll facility” means toll receipts, all interest income derived from the investment of toll receipts, and any gifts, grants, or other funds received for the benefit of transportation facilities in the state, including eligible toll facilities.

(4) “Tolling authority” means the governing body that is legally empowered to review and adjust toll rates. Unless otherwise delegated, the transportation commission is the tolling authority for all state highways.

Finding—Contingent effective date—2023 c 377: See notes following RCW 47.56.902.

Finding—2012 c 36: “The legislature finds that the replacement and improvement of the Interstate 5 Columbia river crossing is critical for the west coast’s transportation system and for the safety of Washington and Oregon drivers. The interstate bridge includes two side-by-side structures built in 1917 and 1958. In 2005, approximately one hundred thirty-four thousand vehicles traveled across the interstate bridge each day, and about forty billion dollars in freight crosses the river each year. Collisions on and near the bridge occur at a rate almost twice as high as other similar urban highways, and the aging bridges are vulnerable to earthquakes. Replacing these structures and making multimodal improvements to facilitate travel in the bistate corridor is essential for the economy of the region. Therefore, the state must develop a comprehensive approach to fund an Interstate 5 Columbia river crossing project.” [ 2012 c 36 § 1.]

*Contingent effective date—2012 c 36: “Except for section 4 of this act, this act takes effect upon, and tolls may not be collected on the Columbia river crossing project until: (1) Certification of the secretary of transportation to the governor that the department of transportation has received satisfactory evidence that sufficient funding, including federal funds, will be available to complete the phase of the Columbia river crossing project that includes the construction of the Columbia river bridge and landings; and (2) the agreement or agreements described in section 4 of this act have taken effect. If the secretary of transportation does not provide such certification to the governor by December 31, 2015, this act, except for section 4 of this act, is null and void.” [ 2012 c 36 § 7.]

*Reviser’s note: The contingency in 2012 c 36 § 7 did not occur by December 31, 2015.

Notice of certification and toll rate agreements—2012 c 36: “The secretary of transportation must provide notice that the governor has received certification as described under section 7 of this act to affected parties, the chief clerk of the house of representatives, the secretary of the senate, the office of the code reviser, and others as deemed appropriate by the secretary. Additionally, the tolling authority, as defined in RCW 47.56.810, must provide written notice that the agreements described under section 4 of this act have taken effect to affected parties, the chief clerk of the house of representatives, the secretary of the senate, the office of the code reviser, and others as deemed appropriate by the tolling authority.” [ 2012 c 36 § 8.]

Effective date—2011 c 377: See note following RCW 47.56.796.

Intent—2011 c 369: See note following RCW 47.56.880.