Washington’s road usage charge is running out of gas – for now

If there was any hope that the Washington state legislature would pass a road usage charge this year, Tuesday’s press conferences from top legislative leaders all but slammed the brakes on the idea.

Both Democratic and Republican leaders made it clear that the bills proposing a per-mile driving fee don’t have the support to make it across the finish line this session.

House Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma)  didn’t shut the door completely, but strongly hinted that this isn’t the year for it.

“Will there be a final whole package on road usage charge getting to the governor’s desk this year? Maybe not, but certainly worth more conversation.” A maybe-not from the House Speaker is about as close to a no as you can get.

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader John Braun (R-Chehalis) was even more blunt, leaving no doubt about where he stands. “I think, is not realistic. It’s not well supported, frankly, on either side of the aisle” he said. When even a Republican leader acknowledges there’s bipartisan disinterest, the writing is on the wall.

Instead of paying per gallon of gas, drivers would pay per mile driven, starting voluntarily in 2027 and becoming mandatory for certain vehicles by 2035.

But opposition came from all directions. Privacy concerns loomed over how the state would track mileage. Rural drivers feared they’d be unfairly burdened. Even some environmental advocates were wary of disincentivizing fuel-efficient cars. And as Braun pointed out, support just wasn’t there, even within the Democratic-controlled legislature.

With both leaders essentially waving the white flag, the road usage charge is all but dead for 2025. Officially, the bills won’t be dead until Friday, if they don’t pass out of their respective committees by then.

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