(1) There shall be paid and collected annually for motor vehicles subject to the fee under RCW 46.16.0621, except motor homes, a vehicle weight fee. The amount of the fee shall be based upon the vehicle scale weight, which is correlated with vehicle size and roadway lane usage. Fees imposed under this section must be used for transportation purposes, and shall not be used for the general support of state government. The vehicle weight fee shall be that portion of the fee as reflected on the scale weight set forth in schedule B provided in RCW 46.16.070 that is in excess of the fee imposed under RCW 46.16.0621. This fee is due at the time of initial and renewal of vehicle registration.

     (2) If the resultant weight according to this section is not listed in schedule B provided in RCW 46.16.070, it shall be increased to the next higher weight pursuant to chapter 46.44 RCW.

     (3) For the purpose of administering this section, the department shall rely on the vehicle empty scale weights as provided by vehicle manufacturers, or other sources defined by the department, to determine the weight of each vehicle. The department shall adopt rules for determining weight for vehicles without manufacturer empty scale weights.

     (4) The vehicle weight fee under this section is imposed to provide funds to mitigate the impact of vehicle loads on the state roads and highways and is separate and distinct from other vehicle license fees. Proceeds from the fee may be used for transportation purposes, or for facilities and activities that reduce the number of vehicles or load weights on the state roads and highways.

     (5) The vehicle weight fee collected under this section shall be deposited as follows:

     (a) On July 1, 2006, six million dollars shall be deposited into the freight mobility multimodal account created in RCW 46.68.310, and the remainder collected from June 7, 2006, through June 30, 2006, shall be deposited into the multimodal transportation account;

     (b) Beginning July 1, 2007, and every July 1st thereafter, three million dollars shall be deposited into the freight mobility multimodal account created in RCW 46.68.310, and the remainder shall be deposited into the multimodal transportation account.

[2006 c 337 § 9; 2005 c 314 § 201.]

NOTES:

     Effective dates -- 2005 c 314 §§ 110 and 201-206: "(1) Section 110 of this act takes effect July 1, 2006.

     (2) Sections 201 through 206 of this act take effect January 1, 2006." [2005 c 314 § 403.]

     Application -- 2005 c 314 §§ 201-206, 301, and 302: "Sections 201 through 206, 301, and 302 of this act apply to vehicle registrations that are due or become due on or after January 1, 2006." [2005 c 314 § 402.]

     Part headings not law -- 2005 c 314: "Part headings used in this act are not part of the law." [2005 c 314 § 407.]