RCW 81.68.040 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 68 / Section 040
RCW 81.68.040: Certificate of convenience and necessity.
Status: in_force

An auto transportation company shall not operate for the transportation of persons and their baggage for compensation between fixed termini or over a regular route in this state, without first having obtained from the commission under this chapter a certificate declaring that public convenience and necessity require such operation. Any right, privilege, certificate held, owned, or obtained by an auto transportation company may be sold, assigned, leased, transferred, or inherited as other property, only if authorized by the commission. The commission may, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, when the applicant requests a certificate to operate in a territory already served by a certificate holder under this chapter, only when the existing auto transportation company or companies serving such territory will not provide the same to the satisfaction of the commission, or when the existing auto transportation company does not object, and in all other cases with or without hearing, issue the certificate as prayed for; or for good cause shown, may refuse to issue same, or issue it for the partial exercise only of the privilege sought, and may attach to the exercise of the rights granted by the certificate to such terms and conditions as, in its judgment, the public convenience and necessity may require.
RCW 81.112.030 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 112 / Section 030
RCW 81.112.030: Formation—Submission of ballot propositions to voters.
Status: in_force

Two or more contiguous counties each having a population of four hundred thousand persons or more may establish a regional transit authority to develop and operate a high capacity transportation system as defined in chapter 81.104 RCW. The authority shall be formed in the following manner: (1) The joint regional policy committee created pursuant to RCW 81.104.040 shall adopt a system and financing plan, including the definition of the service area. This action shall be completed by September 1, 1992, contingent upon satisfactory completion of the planning process defined in RCW 81.104.100 . The final system plan shall be adopted no later than June 30, 1993. In addition to the requirements of RCW 81.104.100 , the plan for the proposed system shall provide explicitly for a minimum portion of new tax revenues to be allocated to local transit agencies for interim express services. Upon adoption the joint regional policy committee shall immediately transmit the plan to the county legislative authorities within the adopted service area. (2) The legislative authorities of the counties within the service area shall decide by resolution whether to participate in the authority. This action shall be completed within forty-five days following receipt of the adopted plan or by August 13, 1993, whichever comes first. (3) Each county that chooses to participate in the authority shall appoint its board members as set forth in RCW 81.112.040 and shall submit its list of members to the secretary of the Washington state department of transportation. These actions must be completed within thirty days following each county's decision to participate in the authority. (4) The secretary shall call the first meeting of the authority, to be held within thirty days following receipt of the appointments. At its first meeting, the authority shall elect officers and provide for the adoption of rules and other operating procedures. (5) The authority is formally constituted at its first meeting and the board shall begin taking steps toward implementation of the system and financing plan adopted by the joint regional policy committee. If the joint regional policy committee fails to adopt a plan by June 30, 1993, the authority shall proceed to do so based on the work completed by that date by the joint regional policy committee. Upon formation of the authority, the joint regional policy committee shall cease to exist. The authority may make minor modifications to the plan as deemed necessary and shall at a minimum review local transit agencies' plans to ensure feeder service/high capacity transit service integration, ensure fare integration, and ensure avoidance of parallel competitive services. The authority shall also conduct a minimum thirty-day public comment period. (6) If the authority determines that major modifications to the plan are necessary before the initial ballot proposition is submitted to the voters, the authority may make those modifications with a favorable vote of two-thirds of the entire membership. Any such modification shall be subject to the review process set forth in RCW 81.104.110 . The modified plan shall be transmitted to the legislative authorities of the participating counties. The legislative authorities shall have forty-five days following receipt to act by motion or ordinance to confirm or rescind their continued participation in the authority. (7) If any county opts to not participate in the authority, but two or more contiguous counties do choose to continue to participate, the authority's board shall be revised accordingly. The authority shall, within forty-five days, redefine the system and financing plan to reflect elimination of one or more counties, and submit the redefined plan to the legislative authorities of the remaining counties for their decision as to whether to continue to participate. This action shall be completed within forty-five days following receipt of the redefined plan. (8) The authority shall place on the ballot within two years of the authority's formation, a single ballot proposition to authorize the imposition of taxes to support the implementation of an appropriate phase of the plan within its service area. In addition to the system plan requirements contained in RCW 81.104.100 (2)(d), the system plan approved by the authority's board before the submittal of a proposition to the voters shall contain an equity element which: (a) Identifies revenues anticipated to be generated by corridor and by county within the authority's boundaries; (b) Identifies the phasing of construction and operation of high capacity system facilities, services, and benefits in each corridor. Phasing decisions should give priority to jurisdictions which have adopted transit-supportive land use plans; and (c) Identifies the degree to which revenues generated within each county will benefit the residents of that county, and identifies when such benefits will accrue. A simple majority of those voting within the boundaries of the authority is required for approval. If the vote is affirmative, the authority shall begin implementation of the projects identified in the proposition. However, the authority may not submit any authorizing proposition for voter-approved taxes prior to July 1, 1993; nor may the authority issue bonds or form any local improvement district prior to July 1, 1993. (9) If the vote on a proposition fails, the board may redefine the proposition, make changes to the authority boundaries, and make corresponding changes to the composition of the board. If the composition of the board is changed, the participating counties shall revise the membership of the board accordingly. The board may then submit the revised proposition or a different proposition to the voters. No single proposition may be submitted to the voters more than twice. Beginning no sooner than the 2007 general election, the authority may place additional propositions on the ballot to impose taxes to support additional phases of plan implementation. (10) At the 2007 general election, the authority shall submit a proposition to support a system and financing plan or additional implementation phases of the authority's system and financing plan as part of a single ballot proposition that includes a plan to support a regional transportation investment plan developed under chapter 36.120 RCW. The authority's plan shall not be considered approved unless both a majority of the persons voting on the proposition residing within the authority vote in favor of the proposition and a majority of the persons voting on the proposition residing within the proposed regional transportation investment district vote in favor of the proposition. (11) Additional phases of plan implementation may include a transportation subarea equity element which (a) identifies the combined authority and regional transportation investment district revenues anticipated to be generated by corridor and by county within the authority's boundaries, and (b) identifies the degree to which the combined authority and regional transportation investment district revenues generated within each county will benefit the residents of that county, and identifies when such benefits will accrue. For purposes of the transportation subarea equity principle established under this subsection, the authority may use the five subareas within the authority's boundaries as identified in the authority's system plan adopted in May 1996. (12) If the authority is unable to achieve a positive vote on a proposition within two years from the date of the first election on a proposition, the board may, by resolution, reconstitute the authority as a single-county body. With a two-thirds vote of the entire membership of the voting members, the board may also dissolve the authority.
RCW 81.112.170 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 112 / Section 170
RCW 81.112.170: Interim financing.
Status: in_force

A regional transit authority may apply for *high capacity transportation account funds and for central Puget Sound account funds for high capacity transit planning and system development. Transit agencies contained wholly or partly within a regional transit authority may make grants or loans to the authority for high capacity transportation planning and system development.
RCW 81.84.010 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 84 / Section 010
RCW 81.84.010: Certificate of convenience and necessity required—Recreation exemption—Service initiation—Progress reports.
Status: in_force

(1) A commercial ferry may not operate any vessel or ferry for the public use for hire between fixed termini or over a regular route upon the waters within this state, including the rivers and lakes and Puget Sound, without first applying for and obtaining from the commission a certificate declaring that public convenience and necessity require such operation. Service authorized by certificates issued to a commercial ferry operator must be exercised by the operator in a manner consistent with the conditions established in the certificate and tariff filed under chapter 81.28 RCW. However, a certificate is not required for a vessel primarily engaged in transporting freight other than vehicles, whose gross earnings from the transportation of passengers or vehicles, or both, are not more than ten percent of the total gross annual earnings of such vessel. (2) If the commission finds, after a hearing, that an existing or a proposed commercial ferry service does not serve an essential transportation purpose and is solely for recreation, the commission may, by order, exempt that service from the requirements of certification and regulation under this chapter. If the nonessential service is a proposed service not already provided by an existing certificate holder, the commission must also find, after notice to any existing certificate holder operating within the same territory and an opportunity to be heard, that the proposed service would not adversely affect the rates or services of any existing certificate holder. (3) This section does not affect the right of any county public transportation benefit area or other public agency within this state to construct, condemn, purchase, operate, or maintain, itself or by contract, agreement, or lease, with any person, firm, or corporation, ferries or boats across the waters within this state, including rivers and lakes and Puget Sound, if the operation is not over the same route or between the same districts being served by a certificate holder without first acquiring the rights granted to the certificate holder under the certificate. (4) The holder of a certificate of public convenience and necessity granted under this chapter must initiate service within five years of obtaining the certificate, except that the holder of a certificate of public convenience and necessity for passenger-only ferry service in Puget Sound must initiate service within twenty months of obtaining the certificate. The certificate holder shall report to the commission every six months after the certificate is granted on the progress of the certificated route. The reports shall include, but not be limited to, the progress of environmental impact, parking, local government land use, docking, and financing considerations. Except in the case of passenger-only ferry service in Puget Sound, if service has not been initiated within five years of obtaining the certificate, the commission may extend the certificate on a twelve-month basis for up to three years if the six-month progress reports indicate there is significant advancement toward initiating service.
RCW 81.88.010 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 88 / Section 010
RCW 81.88.010: Definitions.
Status: in_force

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Commission" means the utilities and transportation commission. (2) "Gas" means natural gas, flammable gas, or toxic or corrosive gas. (3) "Gas pipeline" means all parts of a pipeline facility through which gas moves in transportation, including, but not limited to, line pipe, valves, and other appurtenances connected to line pipe, compressor units, metering stations, regulator stations, delivery stations, holders, and fabricated assemblies. "Gas pipeline" does not include any pipeline facilities, other than a master meter system, owned by a consumer or consumers of the gas, located exclusively on the consumer or consumers' property, and none of the gas leaves that property through a pipeline. (4) "Gas pipeline company" means a person or entity constructing, owning, or operating a gas pipeline for transporting gas. "Gas pipeline company" includes a person or entity owning or operating a master meter system. "Gas pipeline company" does not include excavation contractors or other contractors that contract with a gas pipeline company. (5) "Hazardous liquid" means: (a) Petroleum, petroleum products, or anhydrous ammonia as those terms are defined in 49 C.F.R. Part 195; and (b) carbon dioxide. (6) "Hazardous liquid pipeline" means all parts of a pipeline facility through which a hazardous liquid moves in transportation including, but not limited to, line pipe, valves, and other appurtenances connected to line pipe, pumping units, fabricated assemblies associated with pumping units, metering and delivery stations and fabricated assemblies therein, and breakout tanks. "Hazardous liquid pipeline" does not include all parts of a pipeline facility through which a hazardous liquid moves in transportation through refining or manufacturing facilities or storage or in-plant piping systems associated with such facilities, a pipeline subject to safety regulations of the United States coast guard, or a pipeline that serves refining, manufacturing, or truck, rail, or vessel terminal facilities, if the pipeline is less than one mile long, measured outside facility grounds, and does not cross an offshore area or a waterway used for commercial navigation. (7) "Hazardous liquid pipeline company" means a person or entity constructing, owning, or operating a hazardous liquid pipeline. "Hazardous liquid pipeline company" does not include excavation contractors or other contractors that contract with a hazardous liquid pipeline company. (8) "Line pipe" means a tube, usually cylindrical, through which a hazardous liquid or gas is transported from one point to another. (9) "Local government" means a political subdivision of the state. (10) "Master meter system" means a pipeline system for distributing gas within, but not limited to, a definable area, such as a mobile home park, housing project, or apartment complex, where the operator purchases metered gas from an outside source for resale through a gas distribution pipeline system. The gas distribution pipeline system supplies the ultimate consumer who either purchases the gas directly through a meter or by any other means, such as by rents. (11) "Person" means an individual, partnership, franchise holder, association, corporation, a state, a city, a town, a county, or any other political subdivision or instrumentality of a state, and its employees, agents, or legal representatives. (12) "Pipeline company," without further qualification, means a hazardous liquid pipeline company or a gas pipeline company.
RCW 81.04.470 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 04 / Section 470
RCW 81.04.470: Right of action not released—Penalties cumulative.
Status: in_force

This title shall not have the effect to release or waive any right of action by the state or any person for any right, penalty or forfeiture which may have arisen or may hereafter arise under any law of this state; and all penalties accruing under this title shall be cumulative of each other, and a suit for the recovery of one penalty shall not be a bar to the recovery of any other: PROVIDED, That no contract, receipt, rule or regulation shall exempt any corporation engaged in transporting livestock by railway from liability of a common carrier, or carrier of livestock which would exist had no contract, receipt, rule or regulation been made or entered into.
RCW 81.84.020 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 84 / Section 020
RCW 81.84.020: Application—Hearing—Issuance of certificate—Determining factors.
Status: in_force

(1) Upon the filing of an application, the commission shall give reasonable notice to the department, affected cities, counties, and public transportation benefit areas and any common carrier which might be adversely affected, of the time and place for hearing on such application. The commission may, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, issue the certificate as prayed for, or refuse to issue it, or issue it for the partial exercise only of the privilege sought, and may attach to the exercise of the rights granted by the certificate any terms and conditions as in its judgment the public convenience and necessity may require; but the commission may not grant a certificate to operate between districts or into any territory prohibited by RCW 47.60.120 or already served by an existing certificate holder, unless the existing certificate holder has failed or refused to furnish reasonable and adequate service, has failed to provide the service described in its certificate or tariffs after the time allowed to initiate service has elapsed, or has not objected to the issuance of the certificate as prayed for. (2) Before issuing a certificate, the commission shall determine that the applicant has the financial resources to operate the proposed service for at least twelve months, based upon the submission by the applicant of a pro forma financial statement of operations. Issuance of a certificate must be determined upon, but not limited to, the following factors: Ridership and revenue forecasts; the cost of service for the proposed operation; an estimate of the cost of the assets to be used in providing the service; a statement of the total assets on hand of the applicant that will be expended on the proposed operation; and a statement of prior experience, if any, in such field by the applicant. The documentation required of the applicant under this section must comply with the provisions of chapter 5.50 RCW. (3) In granting a certificate for passenger-only ferries and determining what conditions to place on the certificate, the commission shall consider and give substantial weight to the effect of its decisions on public agencies operating, or eligible to operate, passenger-only ferry service. (4) Until July 1, 2007, the commission shall not accept or consider an application for passenger-only ferry service serving any county in the Puget Sound area with a population of over one million people. Applications for passenger-only ferry service serving any county in the Puget Sound area with a population of over one million pending before the commission as of May 9, 2005, must be held in abeyance and not be considered before July 1, 2007.
RCW 81.04.550 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 04 / Section 550
RCW 81.04.550: Railroad safety administration.
Status: in_force

The commission shall administer the railroad safety provisions of this title to the fullest extent allowed under 49 U.S.C. Sec. 20106 and state law.
RCW 81.04.530 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 04 / Section 530
RCW 81.04.530: Controlled substances, alcohol.
Status: in_force

A person or employer operating as a motor carrier shall comply with the requirements of the United States department of transportation federal motor carrier safety regulations as contained in Title 49 C.F.R. Part 382, controlled substances and alcohol use and testing. A person or employer who begins or conducts commercial motor vehicle operations without having a controlled substance and alcohol testing program that is in compliance with the requirements of Title 49 C.F.R. Part 382 is subject to a penalty, under the process set forth in RCW 81.04.405 , of up to one thousand five hundred dollars and up to an additional five hundred dollars for each motor vehicle driver employed by the person or employer who is not in compliance with the motor vehicle driver testing requirements. A person or employer having actual knowledge that a driver has tested positive for controlled substances or alcohol who allows a positively tested person to continue to perform a safety-sensitive function is subject to a penalty, under the process set forth in RCW 81.04.405 , of one thousand five hundred dollars.
RCW 81.88.060 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 88 / Section 060
RCW 81.88.060: Hazardous liquid pipelines—Safety—Commission's duties.
Status: in_force

(1) Each hazardous liquid pipeline company shall design, construct, operate, and maintain its hazardous liquid pipeline so that it is safe and efficient. Each hazardous liquid pipeline company is responsible for the conduct of its contractors regarding compliance with pipeline safety requirements. (2) The commission shall develop and administer a comprehensive program of pipeline safety in accordance with this chapter. (3) The commission may adopt rules to carry out the purposes of this chapter as long as the rules are compatible with minimum federal requirements. (4) The commission shall coordinate information related to hazardous liquid pipeline safety by providing technical assistance to local planning and siting authorities.
RCW 81.16.090 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 16 / Section 090
RCW 81.16.090: Review of orders.
Status: in_force

Any public service company or affiliated interest deeming any decision or order of the commission to be in any respect or manner improper, unjust or unreasonable may have the same reviewed in the courts in the same manner and by the same procedure as is now provided by law for review of any other order or decision of the commission.Upon the assessment roll must be placed after the name of each company a general description of the operating property of the company, which is considered sufficient if described in the language of RCW 84.16.010 (3) or otherwise, following which must be entered the true and fair value of the operating property as determined by the department of revenue. No assessment is invalid by a mistake in the name of the company assessed, by omission of the name of the owner or by the entry of a name other than that of the true owner. When the department of revenue has prepared the initial assessment roll and entered thereon the true and fair value of the operating property of the company, as required, the department must notify the company by mail of the valuation determined by it and entered upon the roll; and thereupon such valuation must become the true and fair value of the operating property of the company, subject to revision or correction by the department of revenue as hereinafter provided; and must be the valuation upon which, after equalization by the department of revenue as hereinafter provided, the taxes of such company are based and computed.(1) Any customer billing issued by a light or power business or gas distribution business that serves a total of more than twenty thousand customers and operates within the state shall include the following information: (a) The rates and amounts of taxes paid directly by the customer upon products or services rendered by the light and power business or gas distribution business; (b) The rate, origin and approximate amount of each tax levied upon the revenue of the light and power business or gas distribution business and added as a component of the amount charged to the customer. Taxes based upon revenue of the light and power business or gas distribution business to be listed on the customer billing need not include taxes levied by the federal government or taxes levied under chapters 54.28 , 80.24, or 82.04 RCW; and (c) The total amount of kilowatt-hours of electricity consumed for the most recent twelve-month period or other information that provides the customer with information regarding their energy usage over a twelve-month period. (2) A light or power business or gas distribution business that serves a total of more than twenty thousand customers and operates within the state may include information regarding rates over the most recent twelve-month period on any customer billing.
RCW 81.72.200 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 72 / Section 200
RCW 81.72.200: Legislative intent.
Status: in_force

The legislature finds and declares that privately operated taxicab transportation service is a vital part of the transportation system within the state and provides demand-responsive services to state residents, tourists, and out-of-state business people. Consequently, the safety, reliability, and economic viability and stability of privately operated taxicab transportation service are matters of statewide importance. The regulation of privately operated taxicab transportation services is thus an essential governmental function. Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to permit political subdivisions of the state to regulate taxicab transportation services without liability under federal antitrust laws.
RCW 81.96.030 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 96 / Section 030
RCW 81.96.030: Service of secretary of transportation as state member—Execution of compact.
Status: in_force

The secretary of transportation or his or her designee may serve as the Washington state member to the western regional short-haul air transportation compact and may execute the compact on behalf of this state with any other state or states legally joining therein.
RCW 81.53.080 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 53 / Section 080
RCW 81.53.080: Restrictions on structures, railway equipment, in proximity of crossings—Minimum clearance for under-crossings.
Status: in_force

After February 24, 1937, no building, loading platform, or other structure which will tend to obstruct the vision of travelers on a highway or parkway, of approaching railway traffic, shall be erected or placed on railroad or public highway rights-of-way within a distance of one hundred feet of any grade crossing located outside the corporate limits of any city or town unless authorized by the commission, and no trains, railway cars or equipment shall be spotted less than one hundred feet from any grade crossing within or without the corporate limits of any city or town except to serve station facilities and existing facilities of industries. The commission shall have the power to specify the minimum vertical and horizontal clearance of under-crossings constructed, repaired or reconstructed after February 24, 1937, except as to primary state highways.
RCW 81.80.080 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 80 / Section 080
RCW 81.80.080: Application for permit.
Status: in_force

Application for permits must be made to the commission in writing and must state the ownership, financial condition, equipment to be used and physical property of the applicant, the territory or route or routes in or over which the applicant proposes to operate, the nature of the transportation to be engaged in, and other information as the commission may require.
RCW 81.70.390 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 70 / Section 390
RCW 81.70.390: Passenger smoking on board prohibited.
Status: in_force

(1) A charter party carrier or excursion service carrier may not knowingly allow any passenger to smoke aboard a motor vehicle regulated under this chapter. (2) For the purposes of this section, "smoke" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 70.160.020 .
RCW 81.16.070 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 16 / Section 070
RCW 81.16.070: Summary order on payments after disallowance.
Status: in_force

Whenever the commission finds upon investigation that any public service company is making payments to an affiliated interest, although the payments have been disallowed or disapproved by the commission in a proceeding involving the public service company's rates or practices, the commission shall issue a summary order directing the public service company to not treat the payments as operating expenses or capital expenditures for rate or valuation purposes, unless and until the payments have received the approval of the commission.
RCW 81.112.130 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 112 / Section 130
RCW 81.112.130: General obligation bonds.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding RCW 39.36.020 (1), an authority may at any time contract indebtedness or borrow money for authority purposes and may issue general obligation bonds in an amount not exceeding, together with any existing indebtedness of the authority not authorized by the voters, one and one-half percent of the value of the taxable property within the boundaries of the authority; and with the assent of three-fifths of the voters therein voting at an election called for that purpose, may contract indebtedness or borrow money for authority purposes and may issue general obligation bonds therefor, provided the total indebtedness of the authority shall not exceed five percent of the value of the taxable property therein. Such bonds shall be issued and sold in accordance with chapter 39.46 RCW. The term "value of the taxable property" shall have the meaning set forth in RCW 39.36.015 .
RCW 81.53.430 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 53 / Section 430
RCW 81.53.430: Safety standards for private crossings along railroad tracks over which crude oil is transported—Adoption of rules.
Status: in_force

(1) To address the potential public safety hazards presented by private crossings in the state and by the transportation of hazardous materials in the state, including crude oil, the commission is authorized to and must adopt rules governing safety standards for private crossings along the railroad tracks over which crude oil is transported in the state. The commission is also authorized to conduct inspections of the private crossings subject to this section, to order the railroads to make improvements at the private crossings, and enforce the orders. (2) The commission must adopt rules governing private crossings along railroad tracks over which crude oil is transported in the state, establishing: (a) Minimum safety standards for the private crossings subject to this section, including, but not limited to, requirements for signage; and (b) Criteria for prioritizing the inspection and improvements of the private crossings subject to this section. (3) Nothing in this section modifies existing agreements between the railroad company and the landowner governing liability for injuries or damages occurring at the private crossing.
RCW 81.53.150 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 53 / Section 150
RCW 81.53.150: Practice and procedure.
Status: in_force

Modes of procedure under this chapter, unless otherwise provided in this chapter, shall be as provided in other provisions of this title. The commission is hereby given power to adopt rules to govern its proceedings and to regulate the mode and manner of all investigations and hearings under this chapter.
RCW 81.04.400 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 04 / Section 400
RCW 81.04.400: Actions to recover penalties—Disposition of fines, fees, penalties.
Status: in_force

Actions to recover penalties under this title shall be brought in the name of the state of Washington in the superior court of Thurston county, or in the superior court of any county in or through which such public service company may do business. In all such actions the procedure and rules of evidence shall be the same as in ordinary civil actions, except as otherwise herein provided. All fines and penalties recovered by the state under this title shall be paid into the treasury of the state and credited to the state general fund or such other fund as provided by law: PROVIDED, That all fees, fines, forfeitures and penalties collected or assessed by a district court because of the violation of a state law shall be remitted as provided in chapter 3.62 RCW as now exists or is later amended.
RCW 81.68.010 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 68 / Section 010
RCW 81.68.010: Definitions.
Status: in_force

The definitions set forth in this section apply throughout this chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. (1) "Corporation" means a corporation, company, association, or joint stock association. (2) "Person" means an individual, firm, or a copartnership. (3) "Auto transportation company" means every corporation or person, their lessees, trustees, receivers, or trustees appointed by any court whatsoever, owning, controlling, operating, or managing any motor-propelled vehicle used in the business of transporting persons and their baggage on the vehicles of auto transportation companies carrying passengers, for compensation over any public highway in this state between fixed termini or over a regular route, and not operating exclusively within the incorporated limits of any city or town. (4) "Public highway" means every street, road, or highway in this state. (5) The words "between fixed termini or over a regular route" mean the termini or route between or over which any auto transportation company usually or ordinarily operates any motor-propelled vehicle, even though there may be departure from the termini or route, whether the departures are periodic or irregular. Whether or not any motor-propelled vehicle is operated by any auto transportation company "between fixed termini or over a regular route" within the meaning of this section is a question of fact, and the finding of the commission thereon is final and is not subject to review.
RCW 47.36.120 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 36 / Section 120
RCW 47.36.120: City limit signs.
Status: in_force

The department shall erect wherever it deems necessary upon state highways at or near their point of entrance into cities and towns, signs of the standard design designating the city or town limits of the cities or towns.It shall be lawful for any corporation, whether such corporation is organized under the laws of the territory or state of Washington, the laws of any other state or territory, or the laws of the United States owning, leasing or operating any line or lines of railway within the state of Washington, or which may own, lease or operate in the future any such line or lines of railway within this state, to take, acquire, own, negotiate, sell and guarantee bonds and stocks of companies or corporations which are or may hereafter be organized for the purpose of irrigating and reclaiming lands within this state.
RCW 81.66.030 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 66 / Section 030
RCW 81.66.030: Authority of commission.
Status: in_force

The commission shall regulate every private, nonprofit transportation provider in this state but has authority only as follows: To issue certificates to such providers; to set forth insurance requirements; to adopt reasonable rules to insure that any vehicles used by such providers will be adequate for the proposed service; and to inspect the vehicles and otherwise regulate the safety of operations of each provider. The commission may charge fees to private, nonprofit transportation providers, which shall be approximately the same as the reasonable cost of regulating such providers.
RCW 81.64.120 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 64 / Section 120
RCW 81.64.120: Car equipment specified.
Status: in_force

Every streetcar run or used on any streetcar line in the state of Washington shall be provided with good and substantial aprons, pilots or fenders, and which shall be so constructed as to prevent any person from being thrown down and run over or caught beneath or under such car.
RCW 81.108.090 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 108 / Section 090
RCW 81.108.090: Revenue statement—Fees—Delinquent fee payments.
Status: in_force

(1) A site operator shall, on or before May 1, 1992, and each year thereafter, file with the commission a statement showing its gross operating revenue from intrastate operations for the preceding calendar year, or portion thereof, and pay to the commission a fee equal to one percent of the amount of the gross operating revenue, exclusive of site surveillance fees, perpetual care and maintenance fees, site closure fees, and state or federally imposed out-of-region surcharges. (2) Fees collected under this chapter shall reasonably approximate the cost of supervising and regulating site operators. The commission may order a decrease in fees by March 1st of any year in which it determines that the moneys then in the radioactive waste disposal companies account of the public service revolving fund and the fees currently to be paid will exceed the reasonable cost of supervising and regulating site operators. (3) Fees collected under this section or under any other provision of this chapter shall be paid to the commission and shall be transmitted to the state treasurer within thirty days to be deposited to the credit of the public service revolving fund. (4) Any payment of a fee imposed by this chapter made after its due date shall include a late fee of two percent of the amount due. Delinquent fees shall accrue interest at the rate of one percent per month.
RCW 81.80.355 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 80 / Section 355
RCW 81.80.355: Unlawful advertising—Penalty.
Status: in_force

Any person not holding a permit authorizing him or her to operate as a common carrier, contract carrier, or temporary carrier for the transportation of property for compensation in this state, or an exempt carrier, who displays on any building, vehicle, billboard, or in any manner, any advertisement of, or by circular, letter, newspaper, magazine, poster, card, or telephone directory, advertises the transportation of property for compensation shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punishable as such.
RCW 81.80.430 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 80 / Section 430
RCW 81.80.430: Brokers and forwarders.
Status: in_force

(1) A person who provides brokering or forwarding services for the transportation of property in intrastate commerce shall file with the commission and keep in effect, a surety bond or deposit of satisfactory security, in a sum to be determined by the commission, but not less than five thousand dollars, conditioned upon the broker or forwarder compensating shippers, consignees, and carriers for all moneys belonging to them and coming into the broker's or forwarder's possession in connection with the transportation service. (2) Failure to file the bond or deposit security is sufficient cause for the commission to refuse to grant the application for a permit or registration. Failure to maintain the bond or the deposit of security is sufficient cause for cancellation of a permit or registration.
RCW 81.08.080 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 08 / Section 080
RCW 81.08.080: Capitalization of franchise or merger contract prohibited.
Status: in_force

The commission shall have no power to authorize the capitalization of the right to be a corporation, or to authorize the capitalization of any franchise or permit whatsoever or the right to own, operate or enjoy any such franchise or permit in excess of the amount (exclusive of any tax or annual charge) actually paid to the state or to a political subdivision thereof as the consideration for the grant of such franchise, permit or right; nor shall any contract for consolidation or lease be capitalized, nor shall any public service company hereafter issue any bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness against or as a lien upon any contract for consolidation or merger.
RCW 81.12.010 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 12 / Section 010
RCW 81.12.010: Definition.
Status: in_force

"Public service company," as used in this chapter, means every common carrier subject to regulation as to rates and service by the utilities and transportation commission under the provisions of this title. It does not include common carriers subject to regulation by the federal energy regulatory commission or the United States department of transportation, household goods carriers subject to chapter 81.80 RCW, or solid waste collection companies subject to chapter 81.77 RCW. This section does not apply to transfers of permits or certificates.
RCW 81.04.390 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 04 / Section 390
RCW 81.04.390: Penalties—Violations by persons.
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, every person who, either individually, or acting as an officer or agent of a corporation other than a public service company, violates any provision of this title, or fails to observe, obey, or comply with any order made by the commission under this title, so long as the same is or remains in force, or who procures, aids, or abets any such corporation in its violation of this title, or in its failure to obey, observe, or comply with any such order, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. (2) A violation pertaining to equipment on motor carriers transporting hazardous material is a misdemeanor.
RCW 81.88.080 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 88 / Section 080
RCW 81.88.080: Pipeline mapping system—Commission specifications and evaluations.
Status: in_force

(1) The commission shall require hazardous liquid pipeline companies, and gas pipeline companies with interstate pipelines, or gas pipelines operating over two hundred fifty pounds per square inch gauge, to provide accurate maps of these pipelines to specifications developed by the commission sufficient to meet the needs of first responders. (2) The commission shall evaluate the sufficiency of the maps and consolidate the maps into a statewide geographic information system. The commission shall assist local governments in obtaining hazardous liquid and gas pipeline location information and maps. The maps shall be made available to the one-number locator services as provided in chapter 19.122 RCW. The mapping system shall be consistent with the United States department of transportation national pipeline mapping program. (3) The commission shall periodically update the mapping system.
RCW 81.28.220 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 28 / Section 220
RCW 81.28.220: Action for treble damages.
Status: in_force

The attorney general of the state of Washington shall, whenever he or she has reasonable grounds to believe that any person, firm, or corporation has knowingly accepted or received from any carriers of persons or property subject to the jurisdiction of the commission, either directly or indirectly, any unlawful rebate, discount, deduction, concession, refund, or remittance from the rates or charges filed and open to public inspection as provided for in the public service laws of this state, prosecute a civil action in the name of the people of the state of Washington in the superior court of Thurston county to collect three times the total sum of such rebates, discounts, deductions, concessions, refunds, or remittances so accepted or received within three years prior to the commencement of such action. All penalties imposed under the provisions of this section shall be paid to the state treasurer and by him or her deposited in the public service revolving fund.
RCW 81.70.360 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 70 / Section 360
RCW 81.70.360: Excursion service companies—Certificate.
Status: in_force

No excursion service company may operate for the transportation of persons for compensation without first having obtained from the commission under the provisions of this chapter a certificate to do so. For the purposes of this section, "operate for the transportation of persons for compensation" includes advertising or soliciting, offering, or entering into an agreement to provide such service. A certificate shall be issued to any qualified applicant therefor, authorizing the whole or any part of the operations covered by the application, if it is found that the applicant is fit, willing, and able to properly perform the services proposed and conform to the provisions of this chapter and the rules of the commission adopted under this chapter, and that such operations will be consistent with the public interest. Any right, privilege, or certificate held, owned, or obtained by an excursion service company may be sold, assigned, leased, transferred, or inherited as other property only upon authorization by the commission. For good cause shown the commission may refuse to issue the certificate, or issue it for the partial exercise only of the privilege sought, and may attach to the exercise of the rights granted by the certificate such terms and conditions as, in its judgment, the public interest may require.
RCW 81.88.100 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 88 / Section 100
RCW 81.88.100: Commission inspection of records, maps, or written procedures.
Status: in_force

The commission may inspect any record, map, or written procedure required by federal law to be kept by a pipeline company concerning releases, and the design, construction, testing, or operation and maintenance of pipelines. Nothing in this section affects the commission's access to records under any other provision of law.
RCW 81.40.095 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 40 / Section 095
RCW 81.40.095: Rules and regulations—Railroad employees—Sanitation, shelter.
Status: in_force

The utilities and transportation commission shall adopt and enforce rules and regulations relating to sanitation and adequate shelter as it affects the health of all railroad employees, including but not limited to railroad workers, maintenance of way employees, highway crossing watchpersons, clerical, platform, freight house and express employees.
RCW 81.100.030 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 100 / Section 030
RCW 81.100.030: Employer tax.
Status: in_force

(1) A county with a population of one million or more, or a county with a population of from two hundred ten thousand to less than one million that is adjoining a county with a population of one million or more, and having within its boundaries existing or planned high occupancy vehicle lanes on the state highway system, or a regional transportation investment district for capital improvements, but only to the extent that the tax has not already been imposed by the county, may, with voter approval impose an excise tax of up to two dollars per employee per month on all employers or any class or classes of employers, public and private, including the state located in the agency's jurisdiction, measured by the number of full-time equivalent employees. In no event may the total taxes imposed under this section exceed two dollars per employee per month for any single employer. The county or investment district imposing the tax authorized in this section may provide for exemptions from the tax to such educational, cultural, health, charitable, or religious organizations as it deems appropriate. Counties or investment districts may contract with the state department of revenue or other appropriate entities for administration and collection of the tax. Such contract shall provide for deduction of an amount for administration and collection expenses. (2) The tax shall not apply to employment of a person when the employer has paid for at least half of the cost of a transit pass issued by a transit agency for that employee, valid for the period for which the tax would otherwise be owed. (3) A county or investment district shall adopt rules that exempt from all or a portion of the tax any employer that has entered into an agreement with the county or investment district that is designed to reduce the proportion of employees who drive in single-occupant vehicles during peak commuting periods in proportion to the degree that the agreement is designed to meet the goals for the employer's location adopted under RCW 81.100.040 . The agreement shall include a list of specific actions that the employer will undertake to be entitled to the exemption. Employers having an exemption from all or part of the tax through this subsection shall annually certify to the county or investment district that the employer is fulfilling the terms of the agreement. The exemption continues as long as the employer is in compliance with the agreement. If the tax authorized in RCW 81.100.060 is also imposed, the total proceeds from both tax sources each year shall not exceed the maximum amount which could be collected under RCW 81.100.060 .
RCW 81.88.065 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 88 / Section 065
RCW 81.88.065: Gas pipelines—Safety—Commission's duties.
Status: in_force

(1) Each gas pipeline company shall design, construct, operate, and maintain its gas pipeline so that it is safe and efficient. Each gas pipeline company is responsible for the conduct of its contractors regarding compliance with pipeline safety requirements. (2) The commission shall develop and administer a comprehensive program of gas pipeline safety in accordance with this chapter. (3) The commission may adopt rules to carry out the purposes of this chapter as long as the rules are compatible with minimum federal requirements. (4) The commission shall coordinate information related to natural gas pipeline safety by providing technical assistance to local planning and siting authorities.
RCW 81.24.020 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 24 / Section 020
RCW 81.24.020: Fees of auto transportation companies—Statement filing.
Status: in_force

On or before the date specified by the commission for filing annual reports under RCW 81.04.080 , every auto transportation company must file with the commission a statement showing its gross operating revenue from intrastate operations for the preceding year and pay to the commission a fee of two-fifths of one percent of the amount of gross operating revenue. The commission may, by rule, set minimum fees that do not exceed the cost of collecting the fees. The commission may by rule waive any or all of the minimum fee established pursuant to this section. The percentage rate of gross operating revenue to be paid in any period may be decreased by the commission by general order entered before the fifteenth day of the month preceding the month in which the fee is due.Every employer of persons for work in compressed air shall: (1) Connect at least two air pipes with the working chamber and keep such pipes in perfect working condition; (2) Attach to the working chamber in accessible positions all instruments necessary to show its pressure and keep such instruments in charge of competent persons, with a period of duty for each such person not exceeding six hours in any twenty-four; (3) Place in each shaft a safe ladder extending its entire length; (4) Light properly and keep clear such passageway; (5) Provide independent lighting systems for the working chamber and shaft leading to it, when electricity is used for lighting; (6) Guard lights other than electric lights; (7) Protect workers by a shield erected in the working chamber when such chamber is less than ten feet long and is suspended with more than nine feet space between its deck and the bottom of the excavation; (8) Provide for and keep accessible to employees working in compressed air a dressing room heated, lighted and ventilated properly and supplied with benches, lockers, sanitary waterclosets, bathing facilities, and hot and cold water; (9) Establish and maintain a medical lock properly heated, lighted, ventilated, and supplied with medicines and surgical implements, when the maximum air pressure exceeds seventeen pounds.
RCW 81.100.070 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 100 / Section 070
RCW 81.100.070: High occupancy vehicle account.
Status: in_force

Funds collected by the department of revenue or other entity under RCW 81.100.030 , or by the department of licensing under RCW 81.100.060 , less the deduction for collection expenses, shall be deposited in the high occupancy vehicle account hereby created in the custody of the state treasurer. On the first day of the months of January, April, July, and October of each year, the state treasurer shall distribute the funds in the account to the counties on whose behalf the funds were received. The state treasurer shall make the distribution under this section without appropriation.
RCW 81.08.020 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 08 / Section 020
RCW 81.08.020: Control vested in state.
Status: in_force

The power of public service companies to issue stocks and stock certificates or other evidence of interest or ownership, and bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness and to create liens on their property situated within this state is a special privilege, the right of supervision, regulation, restriction, and control of which is and shall continue to be vested in the state, and such power shall be exercised as provided by law and under such rules and regulations as the commission may prescribe.
RCW 81.20.030 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 20 / Section 030
RCW 81.20.030: Interest on unpaid assessment—Action to collect.
Status: in_force

Amounts so assessed against any public service company not paid within thirty days after mailing of the bill therefor, shall draw interest at the rate of six percent per annum from the date of mailing of the bill. Upon failure of the public service company to pay the bill, the attorney general shall proceed in the name of the state by civil action in the superior court for Thurston county against such public service company to collect the amount due, together with interest and costs of suit.
RCW 47.36.020 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 36 / Section 020
RCW 47.36.020: Traffic control signals.
Status: in_force

The secretary of transportation shall adopt specifications for a uniform system of traffic control signals consistent with the provisions of this title for use upon public highways within this state. Such uniform system shall correlate with and so far as possible conform to the system current as approved by the American Association of State Highway Officials and as set out in the manual of uniform traffic control devices for streets and highways.A corporation organized for the construction of any railway, macadamized road, plank road, clay road, canal or bridge, shall have a right to enter upon any land, real estate or premises, or any of the lands granted to the state of Washington for school, university or other purposes, between the termini thereof, for the purpose of examining, locating and surveying the line of such road or canal, or the site of such bridge, doing no unnecessary damage thereby.
RCW 81.28.200 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 28 / Section 200
RCW 81.28.200: Long and short haul.
Status: in_force

A common carrier, subject to regulation by the commission as to rates and service and this title, shall not charge or receive any greater compensation in the aggregate for the transportation of persons or a like kind of property for a shorter distance than for a longer distance over the same line in the same direction, the shorter distance being included within the longer distance, or to charge any greater compensation as a through rate than the aggregate of the intermediate rates subject to this title. The common carriers may not charge and receive as great a compensation for a shorter as for a longer distance or haul. Upon the application of a common carrier, the commission may by order authorize the common carrier to charge less for a longer distance than for a shorter distance for the transportation of persons or property in special cases after investigation by the commission, but the order must specify and prescribe the extent to which the common carrier making the application is relieved from the operation of this section. Only to the extent so specified and prescribed is any common carrier relieved from the operation and requirements of this section.
RCW 81.68.090 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 68 / Section 090
RCW 81.68.090: Scope of chapter.
Status: in_force

This chapter applies to persons and motor vehicles engaged in interstate or foreign commerce to the full extent permitted by the Constitution and laws of the United States.
RCW 81.104.210 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 104 / Section 210
RCW 81.104.210: High capacity transportation corridor areas—Issuance of bonds.
Status: in_force

(1) To carry out the purposes of this chapter, a high capacity transportation corridor area may issue general obligation bonds, not to exceed an amount, together with any other outstanding nonvoter-approved general obligation indebtedness, equal to one and one-half percent of the value of the taxable property within the area, as the term "value of the taxable property" is defined in RCW 39.36.015 . A high capacity transportation corridor area may also issue general obligation bonds for capital purposes only, together with any outstanding general obligation indebtedness, not to exceed an amount equal to five percent of the value of the taxable property within the area, as the term "value of the taxable property" is defined in RCW 39.36.015 , when authorized by the voters of the area pursuant to Article VIII, section 6 of the state Constitution. (2) General obligation bonds with a maturity in excess of twenty-five years shall not be issued. The governing body of the high capacity transportation corridor area shall by resolution determine for each general obligation bond issue the amount, date, terms, conditions, denominations, maximum fixed or variable interest rate or rates, maturity or maturities, redemption rights, registration privileges, manner of execution, manner of sale, callable provisions, if any, covenants, and form, including registration as to principal and interest, registration as to principal only, or bearer. Registration may include, but not be limited to: (a) A book entry system of recording the ownership of a bond whether or not physical bonds are issued; or (b) recording the ownership of a bond together with the requirement that the transfer of ownership may only be effected by the surrender of the old bond and either the reissuance of the old bond or the issuance of a new bond to the new owner. Facsimile signatures may be used on the bonds and any coupons. Refunding general obligation bonds may be issued in the same manner as general obligation bonds are issued. (3) Whenever general obligation bonds are issued to fund specific projects or enterprises that generate revenues, charges, user fees, or special assessments, the high capacity transportation corridor area may specifically pledge all or a portion of the revenues, charges, user fees, or special assessments to refund the general obligation bonds. The high capacity transportation corridor area may also pledge any other revenues that may be available to the area. (4) In addition to general obligation bonds, a high capacity transportation corridor area may issue revenue bonds to be issued and sold in accordance with chapter 39.46 RCW.
RCW 82.16.030 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 16 / Section 030
RCW 82.16.030: Taxable under each schedule if within its purview.
Status: in_force

Every person engaging in businesses which are within the purview of two or more of schedules of RCW 82.16.020 (1), shall be taxable under each schedule applicable to the businesses engaged in.In any proceeding, whether upon the commission's own motion or upon complaint, involving the rates or practices of any public service company, the commission may exclude from the accounts of the public service company any payment or compensation to an affiliated interest for any services rendered or property or service furnished, as described in this section, under existing contracts or arrangements with the affiliated interest unless the public service company establishes the reasonableness of the payment or compensation. In the proceeding the commission shall disallow the payment or compensation, in whole or in part, in the absence of satisfactory proof that it is reasonable in amount. In such a proceeding, any payment or compensation may be disapproved or disallowed by the commission, in whole or in part, if satisfactory proof is not submitted to the commission of the cost to the affiliated interest of rendering the service or furnishing the property or service described in this section.The president or other officer of every railroad company whose lines run in, into or through this state, shall, on or before the first day of April in each year, furnish to the department of revenue a statement, verified by the affidavit of the officer making the same, showing as to every private car company respectively, the name of the company, the class of car and the total number of miles made by each class of cars, and the total number of miles made by all cars on its lines, branches, sidings, spurs or warehouse tracks, within this state during the year ending on the thirty-first day of December next preceding.
RCW 81.53.240 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 53 / Section 240
RCW 81.53.240: Scope of chapter.
Status: in_force

(1) Except to the extent necessary to permit participation by first-class cities in the grade crossing protective fund, when an election to participate is made as provided in RCW 81.53.261 through 81.53.291 , or to the extent a first-class city requests to participate in the commission's crossing safety inspection program within the city, this chapter is not operative within the limits of first-class cities, and does not apply to street railway lines operating on or across any street, alley, or other public place within the limits of any city, except that a streetcar line outside of cities of the first class shall not cross a railroad at grade without express authority from the commission. The commission may not change the location of a state highway without the approval of the secretary of transportation, or the location of any crossing thereon adopted or approved by the department of transportation, or grant a railroad authority to cross a state highway at grade without the consent of the secretary of transportation. (2) Within thirty days of July 1, 2015, first-class cities must provide to the commission a list of all existing public crossings within the limits of a first-class city, including over and under-crossings, including the United States department of transportation number for the crossing. Within thirty days of modifying, closing, or opening a grade crossing within the limits of a first-class city, the city must notify the commission in writing of the action taken, identifying the crossing by United States department of transportation number.
RCW 81.54.030 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 54 / Section 030
RCW 81.54.030: Reimbursement of inspection cost.
Status: in_force

(1) Every person operating any logging railroad or industrial railway shall, prior to July 1st of each year, file with the commission a statement showing the number of, and location, by name of highway, quarter section, section, township, and range of all crossings on his or her line and pay with the filing a fee for each crossing so reported. The commission shall, by order, fix the exact fee based on the cost of rendering such inspection service. All fees collected shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the public service revolving fund. Intersections having one or more tracks shall be treated as a single crossing. Tracks separated a distance in excess of one hundred feet from the nearest track or group of tracks shall constitute an additional crossing. Where two or more independently operated railroads cross each other or the same highway intersection, each independent track shall constitute a separate crossing. (2) Every person failing to make the report and pay the fees as required by this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and in addition subject to a penalty of twenty-five dollars for each day that the fee remains unpaid after it becomes due.
RCW 47.36.100 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 36 / Section 100
RCW 47.36.100: Directional, caution, and stop signs.
Status: in_force

Directional signs showing distance and direction to points of importance may be placed at all crossings and intersections of primary and secondary state highways. The department may place such directional signs as it deems necessary upon any city streets designated by it as forming a part of the route of any primary or secondary state highway through any incorporated city or town. Caution and warning signs or signals shall be placed wherever practicable on all primary and secondary state highways in a manner provided by law. Stop signs shall be placed, erected, and maintained by the department as follows: Upon all county roads at the point of intersection with any arterial primary or secondary state highway; upon all primary and secondary state highways at the point of intersection with any county road that has been designated by the department as an arterial having preference over the traffic on the state highway; and upon at least one state highway at the intersection of two state highways.(1) Any railroad corporation heretofore duly incorporated and organized under the laws of this state or of the territory of Washington, or which may hereafter be duly incorporated and organized under the laws of this state, or heretofore or hereafter incorporated and organized under the laws of any other state or territory of the United States, and authorized to do business in this state and to construct and operate railroads therein, shall have and hereby is given the right to construct bridges across the navigable streams within this state over which the projected line or lines of railway of said railroad corporations will run: PROVIDED, That said bridges are constructed in good faith for the purpose of being made a part of the constructed line of said railroad: AND PROVIDED, That they shall be constructed in the course of the construction of said railroad or thereafter for the more convenient operation thereof: AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That such bridges shall be so constructed as not to interfere with, impede or obstruct the navigation of such streams. (2)(a) Before entering into any contract for the construction of or replacement of any bridge by the state or its subdivisions as a property owner, the executive officer responsible for the contract must consider whether to require the installation of informational signs that address the hazard of diving or jumping off the bridge as part of the contract. These signs are meant to provide more information than just a "no jumping" sign so that people can better understand the hazards related to a particular location. Signs with information on the hazard of cold-water shock that leads to drowning are encouraged to be installed in locations where people might otherwise think a location is safe for swimming. Signs under this section may include the statewide 988 suicide prevention hotline. (b) This section does not create a private right of action by, or a legal duty to, any party, and may not be used to impose liability on the property owner if a sign has or has not been erected on its property. The state of Washington, including all of its agencies, subdivisions, employees, and agents, shall not be liable in tort for any violation of chapter 54, Laws of 2023, notwithstanding any other provision of law.
RCW 81.04.410 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 04 / Section 410
RCW 81.04.410: Orders and rules conclusive.
Status: in_force

In all actions between private parties and public service companies involving any rule or order of the commission, and in all actions for the recovery of penalties provided for in this title, or for the enforcement of the orders or rules issued and promulgated by the commission, the said orders and rules shall be conclusive unless set aside or annulled in a review as in this title provided.
RCW 81.20.010 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 20 / Section 010
RCW 81.20.010: Definition.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, the term "public service company" means any person, firm, association, or corporation, whether public or private, operating a utility or public service enterprise subject in any respect to regulation by the utilities and transportation commission under the provisions of this title or Title 22 RCW.Any corporation authorized by law to appropriate land, real estate, premises, or other property for right-of-way or any other corporate purposes, may present to the superior court of the county in which any land, real estate, premises, or other property sought to be appropriated shall be situated, or to the judge of such superior court in any county where he or she has jurisdiction or is holding court, a petition in which the land, real estate, premises, or other property sought to be appropriated shall be described with reasonable certainty, and setting forth the name of each and every owner, encumbrancer, or other person or party interested in the same, or any part thereof, so far as the same can be ascertained from the public records, the object for which the land is sought to be appropriated, and praying that a jury be impaneled to ascertain and determine the compensation to be made in money, irrespective of any benefit from any improvement proposed by such corporation, to such owner or owners, respectively, and to all tenants, encumbrancers, and others interested, for the taking or injuriously affecting such lands, real estate, premises, or other property, or in case a jury be waived as in other civil cases in courts of record in the manner prescribed by law, then that the compensation to be made, as aforesaid, be ascertained and determined by the court, or judge thereof.
RCW 81.60.070 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 60 / Section 070
RCW 81.60.070: Malicious injury to railroad property.
Status: in_force

Every person who, in such manner as might, if not discovered, endanger the safety of any engine, motor, car or train, or any person thereon, shall in any manner interfere or tamper with or obstruct any switch, frog, rail, roadbed, sleeper, viaduct, bridge, trestle, culvert, embankment, structure, or appliance pertaining to or connected with any railway, or any train, engine, motor, or car on such railway, and every person who shall discharge any firearm or throw any dangerous missile at any train, engine, motor, or car on any railway, is guilty of a class B felony and shall be punished by imprisonment in a state correctional facility for not more than ten years.
RCW 81.04.110 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 04 / Section 110
RCW 81.04.110: Complaint—Hearing.
Status: in_force

Complaint may be made by the commission of its own motion or by any person or corporation, chamber of commerce, board of trade, or any commercial, mercantile, agricultural or manufacturing society, or any body politic or municipal corporation, by petition or complaint in writing, setting forth any act or thing done or omitted to be done by any public service company or any person, persons, or entity acting as a public service company in violation, or claimed to be in violation, of any provision of law or of any order or rule of the commission. When two or more public service companies or a person, persons, or entity acting as a public service company, (meaning to exclude municipal and other public corporations) are engaged in competition in any locality or localities in the state, either may make complaint against the other or others that the rates, charges, rules, regulations or practices of such other or others with or in respect to which the complainant is in competition, are unreasonable, unremunerative, discriminatory, illegal, unfair or intending or tending to oppress the complainant, to stifle competition, or to create or encourage the creation of monopoly, and upon such complaint or upon complaint of the commission upon its own motion, the commission shall have power, after notice and hearing as in other cases, to, by its order, subject to appeal as in other cases, correct the abuse complained of by establishing such uniform rates, charges, rules, regulations or practices in lieu of those complained of, to be observed by all of such competing public service companies in the locality or localities specified as shall be found reasonable, remunerative, nondiscriminatory, legal, and fair or tending to prevent oppression or monopoly or to encourage competition, and upon any such hearing it shall be proper for the commission to take into consideration the rates, charges, rules, regulations and practices of the public service company or companies complained of in any other locality or localities in the state. All matters upon which complaint may be founded may be joined in one hearing, and no motion shall be entertained against a complaint for misjoinder of complaints or grievances or misjoinder of parties; and in any review of the courts of orders of the commission the same rule shall apply and pertain with regard to the joinder of complaints and parties as herein provided: PROVIDED, All grievances to be inquired into shall be plainly set forth in the complaint. No complaint shall be dismissed because of the absence of direct damage to the complainant. Upon the filing of a complaint, the commission shall cause a copy thereof to be served upon the person or company complained of, which shall be accompanied by a notice fixing the time when and place where a hearing will be had upon such complaint. The time fixed for such hearing shall not be less than ten days after the date of the service of such notice and complaint, excepting as herein provided. Rules of practice and procedure not otherwise provided for in this title may be prescribed by the commission.
RCW 81.64.030 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 64 / Section 030
RCW 81.64.030: May cross public road.
Status: in_force

In case any such railroad or railway, is or shall be located in part on private right-of-way, the owner thereof shall have the right to construct and operate the same across any county road or county street which intersects such private right-of-way, if such crossing is so constructed and maintained as to do no unnecessary damage: PROVIDED, That any person or corporation constructing such crossing or operating such railroad or railway on or along such county road or public street shall be liable to the county for all necessary expense incurred in restoring such county road or public street to a suitable condition for travel.
RCW 81.66.050 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 66 / Section 050
RCW 81.66.050: Insurance or bond required.
Status: in_force

The commission shall, in the granting of certificates to operate any private, nonprofit transportation provider, require the owner or operator to first procure liability and property damage insurance from a company licensed to make liability insurance in the state of Washington or a surety bond of a company licensed to write surety bonds in the state of Washington on each vehicle used or to be used in transporting persons for compensation. The commission shall fix the amount of the insurance policy or policies or surety bond, giving due consideration to the character and amount of traffic, the number of persons affected, and the degree of danger which the proposed operation involves. Such liability and property damage insurance or surety bond shall be maintained in force on each vehicle while so used. Each policy for liability of property damage insurance or surety bond required herein, shall be filed with the commission and kept in full force and effect, and failure to do so shall be cause for the revocation of the certificate.
RCW 81.77.200 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 77 / Section 200
RCW 81.77.200: Federal authority and registration for compensatory services.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful for any motor carrier to perform a transportation service for compensation upon the public highways of this state without first having secured appropriate federal authority from the United States department of transportation, if such authority is required, and without first having registered with the commission either directly or through a federally authorized uniform registration program.
RCW 81.53.160 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 53 / Section 160
RCW 81.53.160: Service of process.
Status: in_force

All notices required to be served by this chapter shall be in writing, and shall briefly state the nature of the matter to be inquired into and investigated. Notices may be served in the manner provided by law for the service of summons in civil cases, or by registered United States mail. When service is made by registered mail, the receipt of the receiving post office shall be sufficient proof of service. When, under the provisions of this chapter, it is necessary to serve notice of hearings before the commission on owners of private lands, property, or property rights, and such owners cannot be found, service may be made by publication in the manner provided by law for the publication of summons in civil actions, except that publication need be made but once each week for three consecutive weeks, and the hearing may be held at any time after the expiration of thirty days from the date of the first publication of the notice.
RCW 81.100.010 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 100 / Section 010
RCW 81.100.010: Purpose.
Status: in_force

The need for mobility, growing travel demand, and increasing traffic congestion in urban areas necessitate accelerated development and increased utilization of the high occupancy vehicle system. RCW 81.100.030 and 81.100.060 provide taxing authority that counties or regional transportation investment districts can use in the near term to accelerate development and increase utilization of the high occupancy vehicle system by supplementing available federal, state, and local funds.
RCW 81.112.220 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 112 / Section 220
RCW 81.112.220: Fare payment—Proof of payment—Civil infractions, violations punishable according to an alternative fare enforcement system.
Status: in_force

(1) Persons traveling on facilities operated by an authority shall pay the fare established by the authority and shall produce proof of payment in accordance with the terms of use established by the authority. Such persons shall produce proof of payment when requested by a person designated to monitor fare payment. The required manner of producing proof of payment specified in the terms of use established by the authority may include, but is not limited to, requiring a person using an electronic fare payment card to validate the card by presenting the card to an electronic card reader before or upon entering a public transportation vehicle or a restricted fare paid area. (2) The following constitute civil infractions punishable according to the schedule of fines and penalties established by the authority under RCW 81.112.210 (1)(a) or violations punishable according to an alternative fare enforcement system established by the authority under RCW 81.112.210 (1)(b): (a) Failure to pay the required fare, except when the authority fails to meet the requirements of subsection (3) of this section; (b) Failure to produce proof of payment in the manner required by the terms of use established by the authority including, but not limited to, the failure to produce a validated fare payment card when requested to do so by a person designated to monitor fare payment; and (c) Failure to depart the facility when requested to do so by a person designated to monitor fare payment. (3) If fare payment is required before entering a transit vehicle, as defined in RCW 9.91.025 (2)(b), or before entering a fare paid area in a transit facility, as defined in RCW 9.91.025 (2)(a), signage must be conspicuously posted at the place of boarding or within 10 feet of the nearest entrance to a transit facility that clearly indicates: (a) The locations where tickets or fare media may be purchased; and (b) that a person using an electronic fare payment card must present the card to an electronic card reader before entering a transit vehicle or before entering a restricted fare paid area.
RCW 81.77.020 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 77 / Section 020
RCW 81.77.020: Compliance with chapter required—Exemption for cities.
Status: in_force

No person, his or her lessees, receivers, or trustees, shall engage in the business of operating as a solid waste collection company in this state, except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter: PROVIDED, That the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the operations of any solid waste collection company under a contract of solid waste disposal with any city or town, nor to any city or town which itself undertakes the disposal of solid waste.
RCW 81.28.030 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 28 / Section 030
RCW 81.28.030: Routing of freight—Connecting companies—Damages.
Status: in_force

All common carriers subject to regulation by the commission as to rates and service and doing business wholly within this state shall, upon receipt of any article of freight, promptly forward the same to its marked destination, by the route directed by the shipper, or if no directions are given by shipper, then to any connecting company whose line or route reaches nearest to the point to which such freight is marked. Any such common carrier failing to comply with this section is liable for any damages that may be sustained, either to the shipper or consignee, from any cause, upon proof that the damages resulted from a failure of the transportation company to comply with this section. Suit for damages may be instituted either at the place of shipping or destination, either by the shipper or consignee, and before any court competent and qualified to hear and determine like causes between persons who reside in the court's district.
RCW 81.64.160 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 64 / Section 160
RCW 81.64.160: Hours of labor—Penalty.
Status: in_force

(1) No person, agent, officer, manager, or superintendent or receiver of any corporation or owner of streetcars shall require his, her, or its grip operators, motor operators, drivers, or conductors to work more than ten hours in any twenty-four hours. (2) Any person, agent, officer, manager, superintendent, or receiver of any corporation, or owner of streetcar or cars, violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be fined in any sum not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars for each day in which such grip operator, motor operator, driver, or conductor in the employ of such person, agent, officer, manager, superintendent, or receiver of such corporation or owner is required to work more than ten hours during each twenty-four hours, as provided in this section. (3) It is the duty of the prosecuting attorney of each county of this state to institute the necessary proceedings to enforce the provisions of this section.
RCW 81.53.030 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 53 / Section 030
RCW 81.53.030: Petition for crossing—Hearing—Order.
Status: in_force

Whenever a railroad company desires to cross a highway or railroad at grade, it shall file a written petition with the commission setting forth the reasons why the crossing cannot be made either above or below grade. Whenever the legislative authority of a county, or the municipal authorities of a city, or the state officers authorized to lay out and construct state roads, or the state parks and recreation commission, desire to extend a highway across a railroad at grade, they shall file a written petition with the commission, setting forth the reasons why the crossing cannot be made either above or below grade. Upon receiving the petition, the commission shall immediately investigate it, giving at least ten days' notice to the railroad company and the county or city affected thereby, of the time and place of the investigation, to the end that all parties interested may be present and heard. If the highway involved is a state road or parkway, the secretary of transportation or the state parks and recreation commission shall be notified of the time and place of hearing. The evidence introduced shall be reduced to writing and be filed by the commission. If it finds that it is not practicable to cross the railroad or highway either above or below grade, the commission shall enter a written order in the cause, either granting or denying the right to construct a grade crossing at the point in question. The commission may provide in the order authorizing a grade crossing, or at any subsequent time, that the railroad company shall install and maintain proper signals, warnings, flaggers, interlocking devices, or other devices or means to secure the safety of the public and its employees. In respect to existing railroad grade crossings over highways the construction of which grade crossings was accomplished other than under a commission order authorizing it, the commission may in any event require the railroad company to install and maintain, at or near each crossing, on both sides of it, a sign known as the sawbuck crossing sign with the lettering "Railroad Crossing" inscribed thereon with a suitable inscription indicating the number of tracks. The sign shall be of standard design conforming to specifications furnished by the Washington state department of transportation.
RCW 81.80.345 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 80 / Section 345
RCW 81.80.345: Venue—Hearings on applications.
Status: in_force

Hearings on applications shall be heard in the county or adjoining county for which authority to operate is being applied. If more than one county is involved, the commission may hold the hearings at a location that will afford the greatest opportunity for testimony by witnesses representing the area for which authority to operate is being applied.
RCW 81.80.330 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 80 / Section 330
RCW 81.80.330: Enforcement of chapter.
Status: in_force

The commission may administer and enforce all provisions of this chapter and inspect the vehicles, books, and documents of all motor carriers and the books, documents, and records of those using the service of the carriers for the purpose of discovering all discriminations and rebates and other information pertaining to the enforcement of this chapter and shall prosecute violations thereof. The commission shall employ auditors, inspectors, clerks, and assistants necessary for the enforcement of this chapter. The Washington state patrol shall perform all motor carrier safety inspections required by this chapter, including terminal safety audits, except for (1) those carriers subject to the economic regulation of the commission, or (2) a vehicle owned or operated by a carrier affiliated with a solid waste company subject to economic regulation by the commission. The Washington state patrol and the sheriffs of the counties shall make arrests and the county attorneys shall prosecute violations of this chapter.
RCW 81.04.260 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 04 / Section 260
RCW 81.04.260: Summary proceedings.
Status: in_force

Whenever the commission shall be of opinion that any public service company is failing or omitting, or about to fail or omit, to do anything required of it by law, or by order, direction or requirement of the commission, or is doing anything, or about to do anything, or permitting anything, or about to permit anything to be done contrary to or in violation of law or of any order, direction or requirement of the commission authorized by this title, it shall direct the attorney general to commence an action or proceeding in the superior court of the state of Washington for Thurston county, or in the superior court of any county in which such company may do business, in the name of the state of Washington on the relation of the commission, for the purpose of having such violations or threatened violations stopped and prevented, either by mandamus or injunction. The attorney general shall thereupon begin such action or proceeding by petition to such superior court, alleging the violation complained of, and praying for appropriate relief by way of mandamus or injunction. It shall thereupon be the duty of the court to specify a time, not exceeding twenty days after the service of the copy of the petition, within which the public service company complained of must answer the petition. In case of default in answer or after answer, the court shall immediately inquire into the facts and circumstances in such manner as the court shall direct, without other or formal pleadings, and without respect to any technical requirement. Such persons or corporations as the court may deem necessary or proper to be joined as parties, in order to make its judgment, order or writ effective, may be joined as parties. The final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall either dismiss the action or proceeding or direct that the writ of mandamus or injunction, or both, issue as prayed for in the petition, or in such other modified form as the court may determine will afford appropriate relief. Appellate review of the final judgment may be sought in the same manner and with the same effect as review of judgments of the superior court in actions to review orders of the commission. All provisions of this chapter relating to the time of review, the manner of perfecting the same, the filing of briefs, hearings and supersedeas, shall apply to appeals to the supreme court or the court of appeals under the provisions of this section.
RCW 81.77.170 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 77 / Section 170
RCW 81.77.170: Fees, charges, or taxes—Normal operating expense.
Status: in_force

For rate-making purposes, a fee, charge, or tax on the collection or disposal of solid waste is considered a normal operating expense of the solid waste collection company, including all taxes and fees imposed or increased under chapter 44, Laws of 2015 3rd sp. sess. Filing for pass-through of any such fee, charge, or tax is not considered a general rate proceeding.
RCW 81.72.210 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 72 / Section 210
RCW 81.72.210: Local regulatory powers listed.
Status: in_force

To protect the public health, safety, and welfare, cities, towns, counties, and port districts of the state may license, control, and regulate privately operated taxicab transportation services operating within their respective jurisdictions. The power to regulate includes: (1) Regulating entry into the business of providing taxicab transportation services; (2) Requiring a license to be purchased as a condition of operating a taxicab and the right to revoke, cancel, or refuse to reissue a license for failure to comply with regulatory requirements; (3) Controlling the rates charged for providing taxicab transportation service and the manner in which rates are calculated and collected, including the establishment of zones as the basis for rates; (4) Regulating the routes of taxicabs, including restricting access to airports; (5) Establishing safety, equipment, and insurance requirements; and (6) Any other requirements adopted to ensure safe and reliable taxicab service.
RCW 81.54.040 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 54 / Section 040
RCW 81.54.040: Chapter not operative within first-class cities.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall not be operative within the limits of cities of the first class.
RCW 81.108.060 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 108 / Section 060
RCW 81.108.060: Contracted disposal rates—Waiver of provisions during state of emergency.
Status: in_force

(1) At any time, a site operator may contract with any person to provide a contract disposal rate lower than the maximum disposal rate. (2) A contract or contract amendment shall be submitted to the commission for approval at least thirty days before its effective date. The commission may approve the contract or suspend the contract and set it for hearing. If the commission takes no action within thirty days of filing, the contract or amendment shall go into effect according to its terms. Each contract filing shall be accompanied with documentation to show that the contract does not result in discrimination between generators receiving like and contemporaneous service under substantially similar circumstances and provides for the recovery of all costs associated with the provision of the service. (3) This section shall only take effect following a finding that the site operator is a monopoly pursuant to RCW 81.108.100 . (4) During a state of emergency declared under RCW 43.06.010 (12), the governor may waive or suspend the operation or enforcement of this section or any portion of this section or under any administrative rule, and issue any orders to facilitate the operation of state or local government or to promote and secure the safety and protection of the civilian population.
RCW 81.77.010 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 77 / Section 010
RCW 81.77.010: Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter: (1) "Common carrier" means any person who collects and transports solid waste for disposal by motor vehicle for compensation, whether over regular or irregular routes, or by regular or irregular schedules; (2) "Contract carrier" means all solid waste transporters not included under the terms "common carrier" and "private carrier," as defined in this section, and further, includes any person who under special and individual contracts or agreements transports solid waste by motor vehicle for compensation; (3) When the phrase "garbage and refuse" is used as a qualifying phrase or otherwise, it means "solid waste"; (4) "Motor vehicle" means any truck, trailer, semitrailer, tractor, or any self-propelled or motor-driven vehicle used upon any public highway of this state for the purpose of transporting solid waste, for the collection or disposal, or both, of solid waste; (5) "Private carrier" means a person who, in his or her own vehicle, transports solid waste purely as an incidental adjunct to some other established private business owned or operated by the person in good faith. A person who transports solid waste from residential sources in a vehicle designed or used primarily for the transport of solid waste is not a private carrier; (6) "Public highway" means every street, road, or highway in this state; (7) "Solid waste" means the same as defined under RCW 70A.205.015 , except for the purposes of this chapter solid waste does not include recyclable materials except for source separated recyclable materials collected from residences; (8) "Solid waste collection" does not include collecting or transporting recyclable materials from a drop-box or recycling buy-back center, or collecting or transporting recyclable materials by or on behalf of a commercial or industrial generator of recyclable materials to a recycler for use or reclamation. Transportation of these materials is regulated under chapter 81.80 RCW; (9) "Solid waste collection company" means every person or his or her lessees, receivers, or trustees, owning, controlling, operating, or managing vehicles used in the business of transporting solid waste for collection or disposal, or both, for compensation, except septic tank pumpers, over any public highway in this state as a "common carrier" or as a "contract carrier"; and (10) "Vehicle" means every device capable of being moved upon a public highway and in, upon, or by which any solid waste is or may be transported or drawn upon a public highway, except devices moved by human or animal power or used exclusively upon stationary rail or tracks.
RCW 81.108.901 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 108 / Section 901
RCW 81.108.901: Effective dates—1991 c 272.
Status: in_force

(1) Sections 1 through 15 and 22 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions. Sections 1 through 14 and 22 of this act shall take effect July 1, 1991, and section 15 of this act shall take effect immediately [May 20, 1991]. (2) Sections 16 through 21 and 23 of this act shall take effect January 1, 1993.
RCW 81.70.220 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 70 / Section 220
RCW 81.70.220: Certificate or registration required—Penalty.
Status: in_force

(1) No person may engage in the business of a charter party carrier or excursion service carrier of passengers over any public highway without first having obtained a certificate from the commission to do so or having registered as an interstate carrier. For the purposes of this section, "engage in the business of a charter party carrier or excursion service carrier" includes advertising or soliciting, offering, or entering into an agreement to provide such service. Each advertisement reproduced, broadcast, or displayed via a particular medium constitutes a separate violation under this chapter. (2) Any person who engages in the business of a charter party carrier or excursion service carrier in violation of subsection (1) of this section is subject to a penalty of up to five thousand dollars per violation. (3) An auto transportation company carrying passengers for compensation over any public highway in this state between fixed termini or over a regular route that is not required to hold an auto transportation certificate because of a commission finding under RCW 81.68.015 must obtain a certificate under this chapter.
RCW 81.80.050 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 80 / Section 050
RCW 81.80.050: Compliance required.
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any person to operate as a "motor carrier" on any public highway of this state except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
RCW 81.70.010 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 70 / Section 010
RCW 81.70.010: Business affected with the public interest—Declaration of purpose.
Status: reserved

The use of the public highways for the transportation of passengers for compensation is a business affected with the public interest. It is the purpose of this chapter to preserve for the public full benefit in use of public highways consistent with the needs of commerce, without unnecessary congestion or wear and tear upon such highways; to secure to the people safe, adequate and dependable transportation by carriers operating upon such highways; and to secure full and unrestricted flow of traffic by motor carriers over such highways which will adequately meet reasonable public demands by providing for the regulation of all transportation agencies with respect to safety of operations and accident indemnity so that safe, adequate and dependable service by all necessary transportation agencies shall be maintained, and the full use of the highway reserved to the public.
RCW 81.40.015 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 40 / Section 015
RCW 81.40.015: Operation and management of trains, switching assignments—Exemption.
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in RCW 81.40.025 , any person, corporation, company, or officer of the court operating any railroad, railway, or any part of any railroad or railway, in the state of Washington, and engaged, as a common carrier, in the transportation of freight or passengers, shall operate and manage all trains and switching assignments over its road with crews consisting of no less than two crewmembers. (2) Class III railroad carriers operating on their roads while at a speed of twenty-five miles per hour or less are exempt from subsection (1) of this section.
RCW 81.04.310 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 04 / Section 310
RCW 81.04.310: Commission's control over expenditures.
Status: in_force

The commission may, both as to original and supplementary budgets, prior to the making or contracting for the expenditure of any item therein, and after notice to the company and a hearing thereon, reject any item of the budget. The commission may require any company to furnish further information, data, or detail as to any proposed item of expenditure. Failure of the commission to object to any item of expenditure within sixty days of the filing of any original budget or within thirty days of the filing of any supplementary budget shall constitute authority to the company to proceed with the making of or contracting for such expenditure, but such authority may be terminated at any time by objection made thereto by the commission prior to the making of or contracting for such expenditure. Examination, investigation, and determination of the budget by the commission shall not bar or estop it from later determining whether any of the expenditures made thereunder are fair, reasonable, and commensurate with the service, material, supplies, or equipment received.
RCW 81.77.140 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 77 / Section 140
RCW 81.77.140: Application of chapter—Collection and transportation of recyclable materials by recycling companies or nonprofit entities—Reuse or reclamation.
Status: in_force

Nothing in this chapter shall prevent a recycling company or nonprofit entity from collecting and transporting recyclable materials from a buy-back center, drop-box, or from a commercial or industrial generator of recyclable materials, or upon agreement with a solid waste collection company. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as prohibiting a commercial or industrial generator of commercial recyclable materials from selling, conveying, or arranging for transportation of such material to a recycler for reuse or reclamation.
RCW 81.104.060 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 104 / Section 060
RCW 81.104.060: State role in planning and implementation.
Status: in_force

(1) The state's planning role in high capacity transportation development as one element of a multimodal transportation system should facilitate cooperative state and local planning efforts. (2) The department of transportation may serve as a contractor for high capacity transportation system and project design, administer construction, and assist agencies authorized to provide service in the acquisition, preservation, and joint use of rights-of-way. (3) The department and local jurisdictions shall continue to cooperate with respect to the development of high occupancy vehicle lanes and related facilities, associated roadways, transfer stations, people mover systems developed either by the public or private sector, and other related projects. (4) The department in cooperation with local jurisdictions shall develop policies which enhance the development of high-speed interregional systems by both the private and the public sector. These policies may address joint use of rights-of-way, identification and preservation of transportation corridors, and joint development of stations and other facilities.
RCW 81.04.420 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 04 / Section 420
RCW 81.04.420: Commission intervention where order or rule is involved.
Status: in_force

In all court actions involving any rule or order of the commission, where the commission has not been made a party, the commission shall be served with a copy of all pleadings, and shall be entitled to intervene. Where the fact that the action involves a rule or order of the commission does not appear until the time of trial, the court shall immediately direct the clerk to notify the commission of the pendency of such action, and shall permit the commission to intervene in such action. The failure to comply with the provisions of this section shall render void and of no effect any judgment in such action, where the effect of such judgment is to modify or nullify any rule or order of the commission.
RCW 81.04.160 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 04 / Section 160
RCW 81.04.160: Rules.
Status: in_force

The commission may adopt rules that pertain to the comfort and convenience of the public using the services of public service companies that are subject to regulation by the commission as to services provided.
RCW 49.24.100 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 24 / Section 100
RCW 49.24.100: Lighting appliances.
Status: in_force

(1) All lighting in compressed air chambers shall be by electricity only. Wherever practicable there shall be two independent lighting systems with independent sources of supply. (2) The exterior of all lamp sockets shall be entirely nonmetallic. (3) All portable incandescent lamps used shall be guarded by a wire cage large enough to enclose both lamp and socket. (4) All incandescent lamps shall be so placed that they cannot come in contact with any combustible material. (5) Only heavy insulated or armored wire shall be used for light or power.In addition to the license fees required under RCW 46.17.355 for registering vehicles under RCW 46.16A.455 , operators of auto stages with seating capacity over six shall pay, at the time they file gross earning returns with the utilities and transportation commission, the sum of fifteen cents for each one hundred vehicle miles operated by each auto stage over the public highways of this state. However, in the case of each auto stage propelled by steam, electricity, natural gas, diesel oil, butane, or propane, the payment required in this section is twenty cents per one hundred miles of such operation. The commission shall transmit all sums so collected to the state treasurer, who shall deposit the same in the motor vehicle fund. Any person failing to make any payment required by this section is subject to a penalty of one hundred percent of the payment due in this section, in addition to any penalty provided for failure to submit a report. Any penalties so collected shall be credited to the public service revolving fund.
RCW 81.64.070 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 64 / Section 070
RCW 81.64.070: Consolidation of companies.
Status: in_force

With the consent of the majority in interest of their shareholders, two or more corporations operating street railway lines within or in the suburbs of the same municipality, may amalgamate their businesses and properties by consolidation, sale, lease, or other appropriate means, and either by conveyance to a third corporation or one to the other.
RCW 81.112.902 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 112 / Section 902
RCW 81.112.902: Effective date—1992 c 101.
Status: in_force

This act shall take effect July 1, 1992.
RCW 81.900.020 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 900 / Section 020
RCW 81.900.020: Title, chapter, section headings not part of law.
Status: in_force

Title headings, chapter headings, and section or subsection headings, as used in this title do not constitute any part of the law.
RCW 81.104.110 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 104 / Section 110
RCW 81.104.110: Independent system plan oversight.
Status: in_force

(1) The legislature recognizes that the planning processes described in RCW 81.104.100 provide a recognized framework for guiding high capacity transportation studies. However, the process cannot guarantee appropriate decisions unless key study assumptions are reasonable. (2) To assure appropriate system plan assumptions and to provide for review of system plan results, an expert review panel shall be appointed to provide independent technical review for development of any system plan which: (a) Is to be funded in whole or in part by the imposition of any voter-approved local option funding sources enumerated in RCW 81.104.140 ; and (b) Includes a rail fixed guideway system component or a bus rapid transit component that is planned by a regional transit authority. (3) The expert review panel shall consist of five to 10 members who are recognized experts in relevant fields, such as transit operations, planning, emerging transportation technologies, engineering, finance, law, the environment, geography, economics, and political science. (4) The expert review panel shall be selected cooperatively by the chairs of the senate and house transportation committees, the secretary of the department of transportation, and the governor to assure a balance of disciplines. In the case of counties adjoining another state or Canadian province the expert review panel membership shall be selected cooperatively with representatives of the adjoining state or Canadian province. (5) The chair of the expert review panel shall be designated by the appointing authorities. (6) The expert review panel shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses according to RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060 . Reimbursement shall be paid from within the existing resources of the local authority planning under this chapter. (7) The panel shall carry out the duties set forth in subsections (8) and (9) of this section until the date on which an election is held to consider the high capacity transportation system and financing plans. (8) The expert panel shall review all reports required in RCW 81.104.100 (2) and shall concentrate on service modes and concepts, costs, patronage and financing evaluations. (9) The expert panel shall provide timely reviews and comments on individual reports and study conclusions to the department of transportation, the regional transportation planning organization, the joint regional policy committee, and the submitting lead transit agency. In the case of counties adjoining another state or Canadian province, the expert review panel shall provide its reviews, comments, and conclusions to the representatives of the adjoining state or Canadian province. (10) The local authority planning under this chapter shall contract for consulting services for expert review panels. The amount of consultant support shall be negotiated with each expert review panel by the local authority and shall be paid from within the local authority's existing resources. (11) This section does not apply to a ballot proposition submitted to voters of an enhanced service zone authorized in RCW 81.104.220 (3) (a) and (c).
RCW 81.80.090 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 80 / Section 090
RCW 81.80.090: Form of application—Filing fees.
Status: in_force

The commission shall prescribe forms of application for permits and for extensions thereof for the use of prospective applicants, and for transfer of permits and for acquisition of control of carriers holding permits, and shall make regulations for the filing thereof. Any such application shall be accompanied by such filing fee as the commission may prescribe by rule: PROVIDED, That such fee shall not exceed five hundred fifty dollars.
RCW 81.68.030 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 68 / Section 030
RCW 81.68.030: Regulation by commission.
Status: in_force

The commission is vested with power and authority, and it is its duty to supervise and regulate every auto transportation company in this state as provided in this section. Under this authority, it shall for each auto transportation company: (1) Fix, alter, and amend just, fair, reasonable, and sufficient rates, fares, charges, classifications, rules, and regulations; (2) Regulate the accounts, service, and safety of operations; (3) Require the filing of annual and other reports and of other data; (4) Supervise and regulate the companies in all other matters affecting the relationship between such companies and the traveling and shipping public; (5) By general order or otherwise, prescribe rules and regulations in conformity with this chapter, applicable to any and all such companies, and within such limits make orders. The commission may, at any time, by its order duly entered after notice to the holder of any certificate under this chapter, and an opportunity for a hearing, at which it shall be proven that the holder willfully violates or refuses to observe any of the commission's proper orders, rules, or regulations, suspend, revoke, alter, or amend any certificate issued under the provisions of this chapter, but the holder of the certificate has all the rights of rehearing, review, and appeal as to the order of the commission as is provided for in chapter 34.05 RCW.
RCW 81.80.230 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 80 / Section 230
RCW 81.80.230: Penalty for rebating, etc.—Procedure for collection.
Status: in_force

Any person, whether a household goods carrier subject to this chapter, shipper, or consignee, or any officer, employee, agent, or representative thereof, who: (1) Offers, grants, gives, solicits, accepts, or receives any rebate, concession, or discrimination in violation of this chapter; (2) by means of any false statement or representation, or by the use of any false or fictitious bill, bill of lading, receipt, voucher, roll, account, claim, certificate, affidavit, deposition, lease, or bill of sale, or by any other means or device assists, suffers, or permits any person or persons, natural or artificial, to obtain transportation of property subject to this chapter for less than the applicable rate, fare, or charge; or (3) fraudulently seeks to evade or defeat regulation of motor carriers under this chapter is subject to a civil penalty of not more than one hundred dollars for each violation. Each and every violation is a separate and distinct offense, and in case of a continuing violation every day's continuance is a separate and distinct violation. Every act or omission that procures, aids, or abets in the violation is also a violation under this section and subject to the penalty under this section. The penalty under this section is due and payable when the person incurring the penalty receives a notice in writing from the commission describing the violation with reasonable particularity and advising the person that the penalty is due. The commission may, upon a written application received within fifteen days, remit or mitigate any penalty under this section or discontinue any prosecution to recover the penalty upon such terms as the commission in its discretion deems proper. The commission may ascertain the facts on all applications. If the penalty is not paid to the commission within fifteen days after receipt of the notice imposing the penalty, or the application for remission or mitigation is not made within fifteen days after the violator has received notice of the disposition of the application, the attorney general shall bring an action in the name of the state of Washington in the superior court of Thurston county or another county where the violator may do business, to recover the penalty. In all such actions, the procedure and rules of evidence are the same as in an ordinary civil action except as otherwise provided in this section. All penalties recovered under this section must be paid into the state treasury and credited to the public service revolving fund.
RCW 81.84.025 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 84 / Section 025
RCW 81.84.025: Certificate—Insurance or bond required—Amounts.
Status: in_force

The commission, in granting a certificate to operate as a commercial ferry, shall require the operator to first obtain liability and property damage insurance from a company licensed to write liability insurance in the state or a surety bond of a company licensed to write surety bonds in the state, on each vessel or ferry to be used, in the amount of not less than one hundred thousand dollars for any recovery for personal injury by one person, and not less than one million dollars and in such additional amount as the commission shall determine, for all persons receiving personal injury and property damage by reason of one act of negligence, and not less than fifty thousand dollars for damage to property of any person other than the insured; or combined bodily injury and property damage liability insurance of not less than one million dollars, and to maintain such liability and property damage insurance or surety bond in force on each vessel or ferry while so used. Each policy for liability or property damage insurance or surety bond required by this section must be filed with the commission and kept in full force and effect, and failure to do so is cause for revocation of the operator's certificate.
RCW 81.04.240 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 04 / Section 240
RCW 81.04.240: Action in court on reparations and overcharges—Procedure.
Status: in_force

If the public service company subject to regulation by the commission as to rates and service does not comply with the order of the commission for the payment of damages or overcharges within the time limited in the order, action may be brought in any superior court where service may be had upon the company to recover the amount of damages or overcharges with interest. The commission shall certify and file its record in the case, including all exhibits, with the clerk of the court within thirty days after the action is started. The action must be heard on the evidence and exhibits introduced before and certified by the commission. If the complainant prevails in the action, the court shall enter judgment for the amount of damages or overcharges with interest and award the complainant reasonable attorney's fees, and the cost of preparing and certifying the record for the benefit of and to be paid to the commission by complainant, and deposited by the commission in the public service revolving fund, the sums to be fixed and collected as a part of the costs of the action. If the order of the commission is found contrary to law or erroneous by the rejection of testimony properly offered, the court shall remand the cause to the commission with instructions to receive the testimony so proffered and rejected and enter a new order based upon the evidence theretofore taken and such as it is directed to receive. The court may remand any action it reverses to the commission for further action. Appeals to the supreme court shall lie as in other civil cases. Action to recover damages or overcharges must be filed in the superior court within one year from the date of the order of the commission. The procedure provided in this section is exclusive, and neither the supreme court nor any superior court has jurisdiction except as provided.
RCW 81.80.211 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 80 / Section 211
RCW 81.80.211: Hours of operators—Rules and regulations.
Status: in_force

The commission may adopt rules and regulations relating to the hours of duty of motor carrier drivers and operators.
RCW 81.108.110 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 108 / Section 110
RCW 81.108.110: Competitive companies—Exemptions—Waiver of provisions during state of emergency.
Status: in_force

(1) At any time after this chapter has been implemented with respect to a site operator, such site operator may petition the commission to be classified as competitive. The commission may initiate classification proceedings on its own motion. The commission shall enter its final order with respect to classification within seven months from the date of filing of a company's petition or the commission's motion. (2) The commission shall classify a site operator as a competitive company if the commission finds, after notice and hearing, that the disposal services offered are subject to competition because the company's customers have reasonably available alternatives. In determining whether a company is competitive, the commission's consideration shall include, but not be limited to: (a) Whether the system of interstate compacts and regional disposal sites established by federal law has been implemented so that the Northwest compact site located near Richland, Washington is the exclusive site option for disposal by customers within the Northwest compact states; (b) Whether waste generated outside the Northwest compact states is excluded; and (c) The ability of alternative disposal sites to make functionally equivalent services readily available at competitive rates, terms, and conditions. (3) The commission may reclassify a competitive site operator if reclassification would protect the public interest as set forth in this section. (4) Competitive low-level radioactive waste disposal companies shall be exempt from commission regulation and fees during the time they are so classified. (5) During a state of emergency declared under RCW 43.06.010 (12), the governor may waive or suspend the operation or enforcement of this section or any portion of this section or under any administrative rule, and issue any orders to facilitate the operation of state or local government or to promote and secure the safety and protection of the civilian population.
RCW 81.60.020 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 60 / Section 020
RCW 81.60.020: Application for commissioning.
Status: in_force

Any railroad corporation desiring the commissioning of any of its officers, agents, or servants not exceeding twenty-five in number for any one division of any railroad operating in this state as railroad police officers shall file a request with the criminal justice training commission on an approved application form. The application shall be signed by the president or some managing officer of the railroad corporation and shall be accompanied by an affidavit stating that the officer is acquainted with the person whose commission is sought, that the officer believes the person to be of good moral character, and that the person is of such character and experience that he or she can be safely entrusted with the powers of a police officer. For the purposes of this section, "division" means the part of any railroad or railroads under the jurisdiction of any one division superintendent.
RCW 81.70.240 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 70 / Section 240
RCW 81.70.240: Certificates—Transfer restricted.
Status: in_force

No certificate issued under this chapter or rights to conduct services under it may be leased, assigned, or otherwise transferred or encumbered, unless authorized by the commission.
RCW 81.53.220 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 53 / Section 220
RCW 81.53.220: Obstructions in highways.
Status: in_force

Whenever, to carry out any work ordered under RCW 81.53.010 through 81.53.281 and 81.54.010 , it is necessary to erect and maintain posts, piers, or abutments in a highway, the right and authority to erect and maintain the same is hereby granted: PROVIDED, That, in case of a state highway the same shall be placed only at such points on such state highway as may be approved by the state secretary of transportation and fixed after such approval by order of the commission.
RCW 81.40.080 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 40 / Section 080
RCW 81.40.080: Employee shelters—Penalty.
Status: in_force

(1) It shall be unlawful for any railroad company, corporation, association or other person owning, controlling or operating any line of railroad in the state of Washington, to build, construct, reconstruct, or repair railroad car equipment or motive power in this state without first erecting and maintaining at every point where five employees or more are regularly employed on such work, a shed over a sufficient portion of the tracks used for such work, so as to provide that all persons regularly employed in such work shall be sheltered and protected from rain and other inclement weather: PROVIDED, That the provisions of this section shall not apply at points where it is necessary to make light repairs only on equipment or motive power, nor to equipment loaded with time or perishable freight, nor to equipment when trains are being held for the movement of equipment, nor to equipment on tracks where trains arrive or depart or are assembled or made up for departure. The term "light repairs," as herein used, shall not include repairs usually made in roundhouse, shop or shed upon well equipped railroads. (2) Any railroad company or officer or agent thereof, or any other person, who violates this section by failing or refusing to comply with its provisions is guilty of a misdemeanor, and each day's failure or refusal to comply shall be considered a separate offense.
RCW 81.70.350 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 70 / Section 350
RCW 81.70.350: Annual regulatory fee—Delinquent fee payments.
Status: in_force

(1) The commission shall collect from each charter party carrier and excursion service carrier holding a certificate issued pursuant to this chapter and from each interstate or foreign carrier subject to this chapter an annual regulatory fee, to be established by the commission but which in total shall not exceed the cost of supervising and regulating such carriers, for each bus used by such carrier. (2) The fee prescribed under this section is due and payable on or before May 1st of each year, to cover operations during the calendar year in which the fee is paid. (3) Any payment of the fee imposed by this section made after its due date shall include a late fee of two percent of the amount due. Delinquent fees shall accrue interest at the rate of one percent per month.
RCW 81.53.010 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 53 / Section 010
RCW 81.53.010: Definitions.
Status: in_force

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Commission" means the utilities and transportation commission of Washington. (2) "Grade crossing" means any point or place where a railroad crosses a highway or a highway crosses a railroad or one railroad crosses another, at a common grade. (3) "Highway" includes all state and county roads, streets, alleys, avenues, boulevards, parkways, and other public places actually open and in use, or to be opened and used, for travel by the public. (4) "Over-crossing" means any point or place where a highway crosses a railroad by passing above the same. "Over-crossing" also means any point or place where one railroad crosses another railroad not at grade. (5) "Private crossing" means any point or place where a railroad crosses a private road at grade or a private road crosses a railroad at grade, where the private road is not a highway. (6) "Railroad" means every railroad, including interurban and suburban electric railroads, by whatsoever power operated, for the public use in the conveyance of persons or property for hire, with all bridges, ferries, tunnels, equipment, switches, spurs, sidings, tracks, stations, and terminal facilities of every kind, used, operated, controlled, managed, or owned by or in connection therewith. The term also includes every logging and other industrial railway owned or operated primarily for the purpose of carrying the property of its owners or operators or of a limited class of persons, with all tracks, spurs, and sidings used in connection therewith. The term does not include street railways operating within the limits of any incorporated city or town. (7) "Railroad company" includes every corporation, company, association, joint stock association, partnership, or person, its, their, or his or her lessees, trustees, or receivers appointed by any court whatsoever, owning, operating, controlling, or managing any railroad. (8) "Under-crossing" means any point or place where a highway crosses a railroad by passing under the same. "Under-crossing" also means any point or place where one railroad crosses another railroad not at grade.
RCW 81.112.340 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 112 / Section 340
RCW 81.112.340: Supplemental transportation improvements.
Status: in_force

If the legislative authority of a city provides or contracts for supplemental transportation improvements, as described in RCW 35.21.925 or under chapter 36.73 RCW, a regional transit authority serving the city or border jurisdictions shall coordinate its services with the supplemental transportation improvements to maximize efficiencies in public transportation services within and across service boundaries.
RCW 81.61.070 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 61 / Section 070
RCW 81.61.070: Safety complaint, accident, and penalty data compilation—Exemption.
Status: in_force

(1) The commission must compile data regarding any reported safety complaints, accidents, regulatory violations and fines, and corrective actions taken by the commission involving vehicles regulated under this chapter. A railroad company, and any person that owns or leases, operates, or maintains contract crew transportation vehicles in the state, must, at the request of the commission, provide data relevant to any complaints and accidents, including location, time of day, visibility, a description of the event, whether any property damage or personal injuries resulted, and any corrective action taken by the railroad company, person operating the contract crew transportation vehicle, or commission. The commission must make this data available upon request. (2) Information included in safety complaints that identifies the employee who submitted the complaint is exempt from public inspection and copying pursuant to RCW 42.56.330 .
RCW 81.70.280 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 70 / Section 280
RCW 81.70.280: Insurance or bond for liability and property damage.
Status: in_force

(1) In issuing certificates under this chapter, the commission shall require charter party carriers and excursion service carriers to procure and continue in effect during the life of the certificate, liability and property damage insurance from a company licensed to make liability insurance in the state of Washington or a surety bond of a company licensed to write surety bonds in the state of Washington on each motor-propelled vehicle used or to be used in transporting persons for compensation, in the following amounts: (a) Not less than one hundred thousand dollars for any recovery for personal injury by one person; and (b) Not less than three hundred thousand dollars for any vehicle having a capacity of sixteen passengers or less; and (c) Not less than five hundred thousand dollars for any vehicle having a capacity of seventeen passengers or more for all receiving personal injury by at least one act of negligence; and (d) Not less than fifty thousand dollars for damage to property of any person other than the insured. (2) The commission shall fix the amount of the insurance policy or policies or security deposit by giving consideration to the character and amount of traffic, the number of persons affected, and the degree of danger which the proposed operation involves. The liability and property damage insurance or surety bond must be maintained in force on each motor-propelled vehicle while in use. Each policy for liability or property damage insurance or surety bond required by this section must be filed with the commission and kept in effect. Failure to file and maintain the required insurance is cause for the revocation of the certificate.
RCW 81.112.050 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 112 / Section 050
RCW 81.112.050: Area included—Elections.
Status: in_force

(1) At the time of formation, the area to be included within the boundary of the authority shall be that area set forth in the system plan adopted by the joint regional policy committee. Prior to submitting the system and financing plan to the voters, the authority may make adjustments to the boundaries as deemed appropriate but must assure that, to the extent possible, the boundaries: (a) Include the largest-population urban growth area designated by each county under chapter 36.70A RCW; and (b) follow election precinct boundaries. If a portion of any city is determined to be within the service area, the entire city must be included within the boundaries of the authority. Subsequent to formation, when territory is annexed to a city located within the boundaries of the authority, the territory is simultaneously included within the boundaries of the authority and subject to all taxes and other liabilities and obligations applicable within the city with respect to the authority as provided in RCW 35.13.500 and 35A.14.475 , subject to RCW 84.09.030 and 82.14.055 , and notwithstanding any other provision of law. (2) After voters within the authority boundaries have approved the system and financing plan, elections to add areas contiguous to the authority boundaries may be called by resolution of the regional transit authority, after consultation with affected transit agencies and with the concurrence of the legislative authority of the city or town if the area is incorporated, or with the concurrence of the county legislative authority if the area is unincorporated. Only those areas that would benefit from the services provided by the authority may be included and services or projects proposed for the area must be consistent with the regional transportation plan. The election may include a single ballot proposition providing for annexation to the authority boundaries and imposition of the taxes at rates already imposed within the authority boundaries, subject to RCW 84.09.030 and 82.14.055 .
RCW 81.116.900 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 116 / Section 900
RCW 81.116.900: Implementation—2018 c 107.
Status: in_force

To ensure that this act is implemented in a timely manner, the utilities and transportation commission may adopt rules under RCW 81.116.020 prior to July 1, 2019, and may accept tariff filings from a person with a substantial interest beginning thirty days after the effective date of these adopted rules. The utilities and transportation commission must suspend a tariff filing made before July 1, 2019, within thirty days of receipt of the filing. Any tariff filings made under this section may not take effect until after June 30, 2019.
RCW 81.80.115 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 80 / Section 115
RCW 81.80.115: Fees imposed under this chapter—Procedure for contesting—Rules.
Status: in_force

If a person seeks to contest the imposition of a fee imposed under this chapter, the person shall pay the fee and request a refund within six months of the due date for the payment by filing a petition for a refund with the commission. The commission shall establish by rule procedures for handling refund petitions and may delegate the decisions on refund petitions to the secretary of the commission.
RCW 81.44.170 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 44 / Section 170
RCW 81.44.170: Hazardous materials inspections—Authority for certified commission employees to enter property of certain businesses.
Status: in_force

Commission employees certified by the federal railroad administration to perform hazardous materials inspections may enter the property of any business that receives, ships, or offers for shipment hazardous materials by rail. Entry shall be at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner. The purpose of entry is limited to performing inspections, investigations, or surveillance of equipment, records, and operations relating to the packaging, loading, unloading, or transportation of hazardous materials by rail, pursuant only to the state participation program outlined in 49 C.F.R. Part 212. The term "business" is all inclusive and is not limited to common carriers or public service companies.
RCW 81.108.100 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 108 / Section 100
RCW 81.108.100: Exemptions—Monopolies—Hearings—Rates.
Status: in_force

(1) A low-level waste disposal site operator is exempt as specified in RCW 81.108.030 (2)(a), 81.108.040 (6), 81.108.050 (7), 81.108.060 (3), and 81.108.070 (3) unless a monopoly situation exists with respect to the site operated by such site operator. A monopoly situation exists if either of the following is present: (a) No disposal facility is available to Northwest compact generators of low-level radioactive waste other than the site or sites operated by such site operator or its affiliates; or (b) Disposal rates at other sites are not reasonable alternatives for Northwest compact generators, considering: Disposal rates at other facilities; current disposal rates charged by the site operator; historic relationships between the site operator's rates and rates at other facilities; and changes in the operator's rates considering changes in waste volumes, taxes, and fees. A monopoly situation does not exist if either of the following facilities operates or is projected to operate after December 31, 1992: (i) Any existing low-level radioactive waste disposal site outside the state of Washington, other than facilities operated by affiliates of a site operator, provided that such site or sites do not charge disposal rates that discriminate against Northwest compact generators, except to the extent, through December 31, 1994, such discrimination is authorized by amendment of current federal law. (ii) An existing facility within the Northwest compact not receiving low-level radioactive waste offers to receive such waste under substantially similar terms and conditions. (2) The exemption shall be in effect until such time as the commission finds, after notice and hearing, upon motion by the commission or upon petition by any interested party, that a monopoly situation exists or will exist as of January 1, 1993. The finding shall be based upon application of the criteria set forth in this section. The commission may assess a site operator for all of the commission's costs of supervision and regulation prior to and relative to determining whether the exemption applies to the site operator. If the commission determines that a site operator is not subject to the exemption, it shall collect its costs of supervision and regulation under RCW 81.108.090 . (3) When an exemption is in effect, any increase in the rates charged by the operator effective January 1, 1993, for services other than the base rate for disposal of solid material in packages of twelve cubic feet or less shall be no more than the percentage increase in the base rate in effect on January 1, 1993.
RCW 81.88.070 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 88 / Section 070
RCW 81.88.070: Prevention of third-party excavation damage—Development and distribution of training curricula.
Status: in_force

(1) The commission shall develop, in consultation with representatives of hazardous liquid pipeline companies, gas pipeline companies, local governments, and the excavation and construction industries: (a) A curricula aimed at the prevention of third-party excavation damage to hazardous liquid pipelines and gas pipelines; and (b) a plan for distribution of the curricula. (2) The curricula shall include training on: (a) Prevention of damage to hazardous liquid and gas pipelines; (b) The danger involved if a hazardous liquid or gas pipeline is damaged; (c) The significance of hazardous liquid or gas pipeline damage that does not cause immediate failure; and (d) The importance of immediately reporting damage to a hazardous liquid or gas pipeline and the importance of immediately repairing a damaged hazardous liquid or gas pipeline.
RCW 81.12.030 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 12 / Section 030
RCW 81.12.030: Disposal without authorization void.
Status: in_force

Any such sale, lease, assignment, or other disposition, merger or consolidation made without authority of the commission shall be void.
RCW 81.66.060 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 66 / Section 060
RCW 81.66.060: Suspension, revocation, or alteration of certificate.
Status: in_force

The commission may, at any time, by its order duly entered after notice to the holder of any certificate issued under this chapter, and an opportunity for a hearing, at which it is proven that the holder has willfully violated or refused to observe any of the commission's proper orders, rules, or regulations, suspend, revoke, alter, or amend any certificate issued under this chapter, but the holder of the certificate shall have all the rights of rehearing, review, and appeal as to the order of the commission as is provided for in chapter 34.05 RCW.
RCW 81.64.050 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 64 / Section 050
RCW 81.64.050: Right of entry.
Status: in_force

Every such corporation shall have the right to enter upon any land between the termini of the proposed lines for the purpose of examining, locating and surveying such lines, doing no unnecessary damage thereby.
RCW 81.36.040 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 36 / Section 040
RCW 81.36.040: Line or canal across or along watercourses.
Status: in_force

Every corporation formed under the laws of this state for the construction of railroads or canals shall possess the power to construct its railway or canal, as the case may be, across, along or upon any river, stream of water, watercourses, plank road, turnpike or canal, which the route of such railway or canal shall intersect or touch; but such corporation shall restore the river, stream, watercourse, plank road or turnpike thus intersected or touched to its former state as near as may be, and pay any damages caused by such construction: PROVIDED, That the construction of any railway or canal by such corporation along, across or upon any of the navigable rivers or waters of this state shall be in such manner as to not interfere with, impede or obstruct the navigation thereof; and all rights, privileges and powers of every description by law conferred upon road or railroad companies are hereby given and granted to canal companies so far as the same may be applicable, and all power and authority possessed by the public or municipal corporations of the state or their local authorities, with reference to road or railroad companies, may be exercised by them with reference to canal companies.The department, upon written request, shall cause to be manufactured, painted, and printed, and shall furnish to any county legislative authority or the governing body of any incorporated city or town, directional signboards, guide boards, and posts of the uniform state standard of color, shape, and design for the erection and maintenance thereof by the county legislative authority or the governing body of any incorporated city or town upon the roads and streets within their respective jurisdictions. The directional signboards, guide boards, and posts shall be manufactured and furnished, as aforesaid, pursuant to written request showing the number of signs desired and the directional or guide information to be printed thereon. The department shall fix a charge for each signboard, guide board, and post manufactured and furnished as aforesaid, based upon the ultimate cost of the operations to the department, and the county legislative authority, from the county road fund, and the governing body of any incorporated city or town, from the street fund, shall pay the charges so fixed for all signboards, guide boards, and posts so received from the department.
RCW 81.12.020 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 12 / Section 020
RCW 81.12.020: Order required to sell, merge, etc.
Status: in_force

No public service company shall sell, lease, assign or otherwise dispose of the whole or any part of its franchises, properties or facilities whatsoever, which are necessary or useful in the performance of its duties to the public, and no public service company shall, by any means whatsoever, directly or indirectly, merge or consolidate any of its franchises, properties or facilities with any other public service company, without having secured from the commission an order authorizing it so to do: PROVIDED, That this section shall not apply to any sale, lease, assignment or other disposal of such franchises, properties or facilities to a public utility district.
RCW 81.53.020 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 53 / Section 020
RCW 81.53.020: Grade separation required where practicable.
Status: in_force

All railroads and extensions of railroads hereafter constructed shall cross existing railroads and highways by passing either over or under the same, when practicable, and shall in no instance cross any railroad or highway at grade without authority first being obtained from the commission to do so. All highways and extensions of highways hereafter laid out and constructed shall cross existing railroads by passing either over or under the same, when practicable, and shall in no instance cross any railroad at grade without authority first being obtained from the commission to do so: PROVIDED, That this section shall not be construed to prohibit a railroad company from constructing tracks at grade across other tracks owned or operated by it within established yard limits. In determining whether a separation of grades is practicable, the commission shall take into consideration the amount and character of travel on the railroad and on the highway; the grade and alignment of the railroad and the highway; the cost of separating grades; the topography of the country, and all other circumstances and conditions naturally involved in such an inquiry.
RCW 47.36.090 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 36 / Section 090
RCW 47.36.090: Cooperation with United States on road markers.
Status: in_force

Standard federal road markers shall be placed on state highways in the manner requested by the department of transportation of the United States. The department of transportation of the state of Washington is authorized and empowered to cooperate with the several states and with the federal government in promoting, formulating, and adopting a standard and uniform system of numbering or designating state highways of an interstate character and in promoting, formulating, and adopting uniform and standard specifications for the manufacture, display, erection, and location of road markers and signs, for the information, direction, and control of persons traveling upon public highways.Any railroad corporation chartered by or organized under the laws of the United States, or of any state or territory, whose constructed railroad shall reach or intersect the boundary line of this state at any point, may extend its railroad into this state from any such point or points to any place or places within the state, and may build branches from any point on such extension. Before making such extension or building any such branch road, such corporation shall, by resolution of its directors or trustees, to be entered in the record of its proceedings, designate the route of such proposed extension or branch by indicating the place from and to which such extension or branch is to be constructed, and the estimated length of such extension or branch, and the name of each county in this state through or into which it is constructed or intended to be constructed, and file a copy of such record, certified by the president and secretary, in the office of the secretary of state, who shall endorse thereon the date of filing thereof, and record the same. Thereupon such corporation shall have all the rights and privileges to make such extension or build such branch and receive such aid thereto as it would have had had it been authorized so to do by articles of incorporation duly filed in accordance with the laws of this state.
RCW 81.88.020 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 88 / Section 020
RCW 81.88.020: Pipeline corporations—Regulation—Eminent domain.
Status: in_force

All corporations having for one of their principal purposes the construction, maintenance and operation of pipelines and appurtenances for the conveyance and transportation as common carriers of oils, gas, gasoline and other petroleum products shall be subject to control and regulation by the commission in the same manner and to the same extent as other public service corporations. The power of eminent domain is hereby conferred upon such corporations to be used for acquiring rights-of-way for common carrier pipelines and they shall have the right to condemn and appropriate lands and property and interests therein for their use under the same procedure as is provided for the condemnation and appropriation of private property by railway companies, but no private property shall be taken or damaged until the compensation to be made therefor shall have been ascertained and paid as provided in the case of condemnation and appropriation by railway companies. Any property or interest therein acquired by any corporation under the provisions of this section by the exercise of the right of eminent domain shall be used exclusively for the purposes for which it was acquired. In all actions brought under this section to enforce the right of eminent domain, courts wherein such actions are brought may give such actions preference over all other civil actions in the matter of setting the same for hearing or trial and in hearing the same.
RCW 81.53.410 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 53 / Section 410
RCW 81.53.410: Traffic control devices during construction, repair, etc. of crossing or overpass—Standards and conditions.
Status: in_force

All traffic control devices used under RCW 81.53.400 shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) Any traffic control devices shall be used at a repair or construction site only so long as the devices are needed or applicable. Any devices that are no longer needed or applicable shall be removed or inactivated so as to prevent confusion; (2) All barricades, signs, and similar devices shall be constructed and installed in a workmanlike manner; (3) Bushes, weeds, or any other material or object shall not be allowed to obscure any traffic control devices; (4) All signs, barricades, and other control devices intended for use during hours of darkness shall be adequately illuminated or reflectorized, with precautions taken to protect motorists from glare; and (5) Flagpersons shall be provided where necessary to adequately protect the public and railroad employees. The flagpersons shall be responsible and competent and possess at least average intelligence, vision, and hearing. They shall be neat in appearance and courteous to the public.
RCW 81.80.360 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 80 / Section 360
RCW 81.80.360: Procedure—Penalties—General statute invoked.
Status: in_force

All applicable provisions of this title, relating to procedure, powers of the department and penalties, shall apply to the operation and regulation of persons under this chapter, except insofar as such provisions may conflict with provisions of this chapter and rules and regulations issued thereunder by the commission.
RCW 81.77.030 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 77 / Section 030
RCW 81.77.030: Supervision and regulation by commission.
Status: in_force

(1) The commission shall supervise and regulate every solid waste collection company in this state: (a) By fixing and altering its rates, charges, classifications, rules and regulations; (b) By regulating the accounts, service, and safety of operations; (c) By requiring the filing of annual and other reports and data; (d) By supervising and regulating such persons or companies in all other matters affecting the relationship between them and the public which they serve; (e) By requiring compliance with local solid waste management plans and related implementation ordinances; (f) By reviewing producer responsibility organization reimbursement of regulated service providers consistent with the requirements of chapter 70A.208 RCW; (g) By requiring certificate holders under this chapter to use rate structures and billing systems consistent with the solid waste management priorities set forth under RCW 70A.205.005 and the minimum levels of solid waste collection and recycling services pursuant to local comprehensive solid waste management plans. The commission may order consolidated billing and provide for reasonable and necessary expenses to be paid to the administering company if more than one certificate is granted in an area; and (h) By requiring certificate holders under this chapter to deliver covered materials only to responsible markets, as those terms are defined in RCW 70A.208.020 . (2) The commission, on complaint made on its own motion or by an aggrieved party, at any time, after providing the holder of any certificate with notice and an opportunity for a hearing at which it shall be proven that the holder has willfully violated or refused to observe any of the commission's orders, rules, or regulations, or has failed to operate as a solid waste collection company for a period of at least one year preceding the filing of the complaint, may suspend, revoke, alter, or amend any certificate issued under the provisions of this chapter.
RCW 81.40.060 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 40 / Section 060
RCW 81.40.060: Purchase of apparel by employees—Penalty.
Status: in_force

(1) It shall be unlawful for any railroad or other transportation company doing business in the state of Washington, or of any officer, agent, or servant of such railroad or other transportation company, to require any conductor, engineer, brake operator, fire tender, purser, or other employee, as a condition of his or her continued employment, or otherwise to require or compel, or attempt to require or compel, any such employees to purchase of any such railroad or other transportation company or of any particular person, firm, or corporation or at any particular place or places, any uniform or other clothing or apparel, required by any such railroad or other transportation company to be used by any such employee in the performance of his or her duties as such; and any such railroad or transportation company or any officer, agent or servant thereof, who shall order or require any conductor, engineer, brake operator, fire tender, purser, or other person in its employ, to purchase any uniform or other clothing or apparel as aforesaid, shall be deemed to have required such purchase as a condition of such employee's continued employment. (2) Any railroad or other transportation company doing business in the state of Washington, or any officer, agent, or servant thereof, violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine in any sum not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail of the county where the misdemeanor is committed, not exceeding six months.
RCW 81.08.130 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 08 / Section 130
RCW 81.08.130: Assumption of obligation or liability—Compliance with filing requirements.
Status: in_force

Any public service company that assumes any obligation or liability as guarantor, indorser, surety or otherwise in respect to the securities of any other person, firm or corporation, when such securities are payable at periods of more than twelve months after the date thereof, shall comply with the filing requirements of RCW 81.08.040 .
RCW 81.61.050 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 61 / Section 050
RCW 81.61.050: Contract railroad crew transportation and vehicles—Commission duties and powers.
Status: in_force

(1) The commission must regulate persons providing contract railroad crew transportation and every contract crew transportation vehicle with respect to driver qualifications, equipment safety, safety of operations, hours of service by drivers, passenger safety, drug testing requirements, and record retention. This regulation must be consistent with the manner in which the commission regulates these areas under chapter 81.70 RCW and the manner in which it regulates safety under chapter 81.68 RCW, as well as with the approach used in federal motor carrier safety regulations under Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. In the event of a conflict between this chapter and the laws referenced in this subsection, this chapter governs. (2) The commission must adopt rules under chapter 34.05 RCW as necessary to carry out this chapter regarding the operation of contract crew transportation vehicles. (3)(a) The commission must require insurance coverage for each contract crew transportation vehicle that satisfies the following minimum amounts: (i) Five million dollars combined single limit coverage for bodily injury and property damage liability coverage; and (ii) Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage of one million dollars. (b) If a third party contracts with the person operating the vehicle on behalf of the railroad company or its agents, contractors, subcontractors, vendors, subvendors, secondary vendors, or subcarriers to transport railroad crew, the insurance requirements may be satisfied by either the third party or the person operating the vehicle, so long as the person operating the vehicle names the third party as an additional insured or named insured. The railroad company may also satisfy the insurance requirements. Proof of coverage must be provided to the commission by the person contracting with the railroad company. (4) The commission must require the form and posting of adequate notices in a conspicuous location in all contract crew transportation vehicles to advise railroad employee passengers of their rights, the opportunity to submit safety complaints to the commission, the complaint process, and contact information for the commission. (5) The commission must require persons providing contract railroad crew transportation to ensure that all drivers of contract crew transportation vehicles successfully complete at least eight hours of commission-approved safety training that includes, but is not limited to, vehicle and passenger safety awareness, rail yard safety, grade crossing safety, load securement, and distracted and fatigued driving. (6) The commission must investigate safety complaints related to contract railroad crew transportation under this chapter and take appropriate enforcement action as authorized. (7) The commission may enforce this chapter with respect to persons providing contract railroad crew transportation under the authority in RCW 81.04.380 through 81.04.405 , including assessing penalties as warranted. (8) The commission may suspend or revoke a permit upon complaint by any interested party, or upon the commission's own motion after notice and opportunity for hearing, when it finds that any person owning, leasing, operating, or maintaining contract crew transportation vehicles has violated this chapter or the rules of the commission, or that the company or its agent has been found by a court or governmental agency to have violated the laws of a state or the United States.
RCW 81.70.030 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 70 / Section 030
RCW 81.70.030: Exclusions.
Status: in_force

This chapter does not apply to: (1) Persons or their lessees, receivers, or trustees insofar as they own, control, operate, or manage taxicabs, hotel buses, or school buses, when operated as such; (2) Passenger vehicles carrying passengers on a noncommercial enterprise basis; or (3) Limousine charter party carriers of passengers under chapter 46.72A RCW.
RCW 81.104.175 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 104 / Section 175
RCW 81.104.175: Property tax levy for regional transit authorities.
Status: in_force

(1) A regional transit authority that includes a county with a population of more than 1,500,000 may impose a regular property tax levy in an amount not to exceed 25 cents per $1,000 of the assessed value of property in the regional transit authority district in accordance with the terms of this section. (2) Any tax imposed under this section must be used for the purpose of providing high capacity transportation service, as set forth in a proposition that is approved by a majority of the registered voters that vote on the proposition. (3) Property taxes imposed under this section may be imposed for the period of time required to pay the cost to plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain the transit facilities set forth in the approved proposition. Property taxes pledged to repay bonds may be imposed at the pledged amount until the bonds are retired. After the bonds are retired, property taxes authorized under this section must be: (a) Reduced to the level required to operate and maintain the regional transit authority's transit facilities; or (b) Terminated, unless the taxes have been extended by public vote. (4) The limitations in RCW 84.52.043 do not apply to the tax authorized in this section. (5) The limitation in RCW 84.55.010 does not apply to the first levy imposed under this section. (6) If a regional transit authority imposes the tax authorized under subsection (1) of this section, the authority may not receive any state grant funds provided in an omnibus transportation appropriations act except transit coordination grants created in chapter 11, Laws of 2015 3rd sp. sess. and regional mobility grant program funds. To be eligible to receive regional mobility grant program funds, a regional transit authority must have adopted, at a minimum, a zero-fare policy that allows passengers 18 years of age and younger to ride free of charge on all modes provided by the authority by October 1, 2022. (7) Property taxes imposed under this section may not be imposed on less than a whole parcel.
RCW 81.04.120 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 04 / Section 120
RCW 81.04.120: Hearing—Order—Record.
Status: in_force

At the time fixed for the hearing mentioned in RCW 81.04.110 , the complainant and the person or corporation complained of shall be entitled to be heard and introduce such evidence as he or she or it may desire. The commission shall issue process to enforce the attendance of all necessary witnesses. At the conclusion of such hearing, the commission shall make and render findings concerning the subject matter and facts inquired into and enter its order based thereon. A copy of such order, certified under the seal of the commission, shall be served upon the person or corporation complained of, or his or her or its attorney, which order shall, of its own force, take effect and become operative twenty days after the service thereof, except as otherwise provided. Where an order cannot, in the judgment of the commission, be complied with within twenty days, the commission may prescribe such additional time as in its judgment is reasonably necessary to comply with the order, and may, on application and for good cause shown, extend the time for compliance fixed in its order. A full and complete record of all proceedings had before the commission, or any member thereof, on any formal hearing had, and all testimony shall be taken down by a stenographer appointed by the commission, and the parties shall be entitled to be heard in person or by attorney. In case of an action to review any order of the commission, a transcript of such testimony, together with all exhibits introduced, and of the record and proceedings in the cause, shall constitute the record of the commission.
RCW 81.88.140 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 88 / Section 140
RCW 81.88.140: Citizens committee on pipeline safety—Duties—Membership.
Status: in_force

(1) The citizens committee on pipeline safety is established to advise the state agencies and other appropriate federal and local government agencies and officials on matters relating to hazardous liquid and gas pipeline safety, routing, construction, operation, and maintenance. The committee shall serve as an advisory committee for the commission on matters relating to the commission's pipeline safety programs and activities. The commission shall consult with and provide periodic reports to the committee on matters related to the commission's pipeline safety programs and activities, including but not limited to the development and regular review of funding elements for pipeline safety programs and activities. (2) The committee shall have thirteen total members who shall be appointed by the governor to staggered three-year terms and shall consist of: (a) Nine members representing local government, including elected officials and the public; and (b) four nonvoting members, representing owners and operators of hazardous liquid and gas pipelines. All members of the committee, voting and nonvoting, may participate fully in the committee's meetings, activities, and deliberations and shall timely receive all notices and information related to committee business and decisions. (3) The committee shall review and comment on proposed rules and the operation of the state pipeline safety programs. (4) The committee may create one or more technical advisory committees comprised of gas and hazardous liquid pipeline owners or operators, agency representatives, natural resource and environmental interests, or other interested parties. (5) The committee established in this section constitutes a class one group under RCW 43.03.220 . Expenses for this group, as well as staff support, shall be provided by the utilities and transportation commission.
RCW 81.96.010 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 96 / Section 010
RCW 81.96.010: Ratification and approval—Adherence.
Status: in_force

The western regional short-haul air transportation compact proposed for adoption by the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, is hereby ratified and approved and the adherence of this state to the provisions of this compact, upon its ratification and approval by at least six of the other twelve states, is hereby declared.
RCW 81.53.210 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 53 / Section 210
RCW 81.53.210: Penalty.
Status: in_force

If any railroad company shall fail or neglect to obey, comply with, or carry out the requirements of this chapter, or any order of the commission made under it, such company shall be liable to a penalty not to exceed five thousand dollars, such penalty to be recovered in a civil action brought in the name of the state of Washington by the attorney general. All penalties recovered shall be paid into the state treasury.
RCW 81.36.050 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 36 / Section 050
RCW 81.36.050: Change of grade or location of road or canal.
Status: in_force

Any corporation may change the grade or location of its road, or canal, not departing from the general route specified in the articles of incorporation, for the purpose of avoiding annoyances to public travel or dangerous or deficient curves or grades, or unsafe or unsubstantial grounds or foundation, or for other like reasonable causes, and for the accomplishment of such change, shall have the same right to enter upon, examine, survey and appropriate the necessary lands and materials, as in the original location and construction of such road or canal.The department shall erect and maintain upon every state highway in the state of Washington suitable and proper signs, signals, signboards, guideposts, and other traffic devices according to the adopted and designated state standard of design, erection, and location, and in the manner required by law. The department shall erect and maintain upon all state highways appropriate stop signs, warning signs, and school signs. Any person, firm, corporation, or municipal corporation, building, owning, controlling, or operating a railroad that crosses any state highway at grade shall construct, erect, and maintain at or near each point of crossing, or at such point or points as will meet the approval of the department, a sign of the type known as the saw buck crossing sign with the lettering "railroad crossing" inscribed thereon and also a suitable inscription indicating the number of tracks. The sign must be of standard design that will comply with the plans and specifications furnished by the department. Additional safety devices and signs may be installed at any time when required by the utilities and transportation commission as provided by laws regulating railroad-highway grade crossings.
RCW 81.04.075 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 04 / Section 075
RCW 81.04.075: Manner of serving papers.
Status: in_force

All notices, applications, complaints, findings of fact, opinions and orders required by this title to be served may be served by mail and service thereof shall be deemed complete when a true copy of such paper or document is deposited in the post office properly addressed and stamped.
RCW 81.12.060 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 12 / Section 060
RCW 81.12.060: Penalty.
Status: in_force

The provisions of RCW 81.04.380 and 81.04.385 as to penalties shall be applicable to public service companies, their officers, agents and employees failing to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
RCW 81.53.120 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 53 / Section 120
RCW 81.53.120: Cost when railroad crosses railroad.
Status: in_force

Whenever two or more lines of railroad owned or operated by different companies cross a highway, or each other, by an over-crossing, under-crossing, or grade crossing required or permitted by this chapter or by an order of the commission, the portion of the expense of making such crossing not chargeable to any municipality, county, or to the state, and the expense of constructing and maintaining such signals, warnings, flaggers, interlocking devices, or other devices or means to secure the safety of the public and the employees of the railroad company, as the commission may require to be constructed and maintained, shall be apportioned between said railroad companies by the commission in such manner as justice may require, regard being had for all facts relating to the establishment, reason for, and construction of said improvement, unless said companies shall mutually agree upon an apportionment. If it becomes necessary for the commission to make an apportionment between the railroad companies, a hearing for that purpose shall be held, at least ten days' notice of which shall be given.
RCW 81.68.020 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 68 / Section 020
RCW 81.68.020: Compliance with chapter required.
Status: in_force

A corporation or person, their lessees, trustees, or receivers or trustees appointed by any court whatsoever, may not engage in the business of operating as a common carrier any motor-propelled vehicle for the transportation of persons and their baggage on the vehicles of auto transportation companies carrying passengers, between fixed termini or over a regular route for compensation on any public highway in this state, except in accordance with this chapter.
RCW 81.80.060 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 80 / Section 060
RCW 81.80.060: Combination of services.
Status: in_force

Every person who engages for compensation to perform a combination of services, a substantial portion of which includes transportation of property of others upon the public highways, is subject to the jurisdiction of the commission as to such transportation and shall not engage in such transportation without first having obtained a common carrier or contract carrier permit to do so. A combination of services includes, but is not limited to, the delivery of household appliances for others where the delivering carrier also unpacks or uncrates the appliances and makes the initial installation. Any person engaged in extracting or processing, or both, and, in connection therewith, hauling materials exclusively for the maintenance, construction, or improvement of a public highway is not engaged in performing a combination of services.
RCW 82.16.010 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 16 / Section 010
RCW 82.16.010: Definitions.
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter, unless otherwise required by the context: (1) "Express business" means the business of carrying property for public hire on the line of any common carrier operated in this state, when such common carrier is not owned or leased by the person engaging in such business. (2) "Gas distribution business" means the business of operating a plant or system for the production or distribution for hire or sale of gas, whether manufactured or natural. (3) "Gross income" means the value proceeding or accruing from the performance of the particular public service or transportation business involved, including operations incidental thereto, but without any deduction on account of the cost of the commodity furnished or sold, the cost of materials used, labor costs, interest, discount, delivery costs, taxes, or any other expense whatsoever paid or accrued and without any deduction on account of losses. (4) "Light and power business" means the business of operating a plant or system for the generation, production or distribution of electrical energy for hire or sale and/or for the wheeling of electricity for others. (5) "Log transportation business" means the business of transporting logs by truck, except when such transportation meets the definition of urban transportation business or occurs exclusively upon private roads. (6) "Motor transportation business" means the business (except urban transportation business) of operating any motor propelled vehicle by which persons or property of others are conveyed for hire, and includes, but is not limited to, the operation of any motor propelled vehicle as an auto transportation company (except urban transportation business), common carrier, or contract carrier as defined by RCW 81.68.010 and 81.80.010 . However, "motor transportation business" does not mean or include: (a) A log transportation business; or (b) the transportation of logs or other forest products exclusively upon private roads or private highways. (7)(a) "Public service business" means any of the businesses defined in subsections (1), (2), (4), (6), (8), (9), (10), (12), and (13) of this section or any business subject to control by the state, or having the powers of eminent domain and the duties incident thereto, or any business hereafter declared by the legislature to be of a public service nature, except telephone business and low-level radioactive waste site operating companies as redefined in RCW 81.04.010 . It includes, among others, without limiting the scope hereof: Airplane transportation, boom, dock, ferry, pipe line, toll bridge, toll logging road, water transportation and wharf businesses. (b) The definitions in this subsection (7)(b) apply throughout this subsection (7). (i) "Competitive telephone service" has the same meaning as in RCW 82.04.065 . (ii) "Network telephone service" means the providing by any person of access to a telephone network, telephone network switching service, toll service, or coin telephone services, or the providing of telephonic, video, data, or similar communication or transmission for hire, via a telephone network, toll line or channel, cable, microwave, or similar communication or transmission system. "Network telephone service" includes the provision of transmission to and from the site of an internet provider via a telephone network, toll line or channel, cable, microwave, or similar communication or transmission system. "Network telephone service" does not include the providing of competitive telephone service, the providing of cable television service, the providing of broadcast services by radio or television stations, nor the provision of internet access as defined in RCW 82.04.297 , including the reception of dial-in connection, provided at the site of the internet service provider. (iii) "Telephone business" means the business of providing network telephone serviceAs used in this chapter: (1) "Public service company" means every corporation engaged in business as a common carrier and subject to regulation as to rates and service by the utilities and transportation commission under this title. (2) "Affiliated interest" means: (a) Every corporation and person owning or holding directly or indirectly five percent or more of the voting securities of any public service company engaged in any intrastate business in this state; (b) Every corporation and person, other than those above specified, in any chain of successive ownership of five percent or more of voting securities, the chain beginning with the holder of the voting securities of such public service company; (c) Every corporation five percent or more of whose voting securities are owned by any person or corporation owning five percent or more of the voting securities of such public service company or by any person or corporation in any such chain of successive ownership of five percent or more of voting securities; (d) Every corporation or person with which the public service company has a management or service contract; and (e) Every person who is an officer or director of such public service company or of any corporation in any chain of successive ownership of five percent or more of voting securities.For the purposes of this chapter and unless otherwise required by the context: (1) The term "department" without other designation means the department of revenue of the state of Washington. (2) The term "private car company" or "company" shall mean and include any person, copartnership, association, company or corporation owning, controlling, operating or managing stock cars, furniture cars, refrigerator cars, fruit cars, poultry cars, tank cars or any other kind of cars, used for transportation of property, by or upon railroad lines running in, into or through the state of Washington when such railroad lines are not owned or leased by such person, copartnership, association, company or corporation; or owning, controlling, operating or managing sleeping cars, parlor cars, buffet cars, tourist cars or any other kind of cars, used for transportation of persons by or upon railroads on lines running in, into or through the state of Washington, when such railroad lines are not owned or leased by such person, copartnership, association, company or corporation and upon which an extra charge in addition to the railroad transportation fare is made. (3) The term "operating property" shall mean and include all rolling stock and car equipment owned by any private car company, or held by it as occupant, lessee or otherwise, including its franchises used and reasonably necessary in carrying on the business of such company; and in the case of rolling stock and car equipment used partly within and partly without the state, shall mean and include a proportion of such rolling stock and car equipment to be determined as in this chapter provided; and all such property shall, for the purposes of this chapter be deemed personal property.of competitive telephone service, the providing of cable television service, the providing of broadcast services by radio or television stations, nor the provision of internet access as defined in RCW 82.04.297 , including the reception of dial-in connection, provided at the site of the internet service provider. (iii) "Telephone business" means the business of providing network telephone service. It includes cooperative or farmer line telephone companies or associations operating an exchange. (iv) "Telephone service" means competitive telephone service or network telephone service, or both, as defined in (b)(i) and (ii) of this subsection. (8) "Railroad business" means the business of operating any railroad, by whatever power operated, for public use in the conveyance of persons or property for hire. It shall not, however, include any business herein defined as an urban transportation business. (9) "Railroad car business" means the business of operating stock cars, furniture cars, refrigerator cars, fruit cars, poultry cars, tank cars, sleeping cars, parlor cars, buffet cars, tourist cars, or any other kinds of cars used for transportation of property or persons upon the line of any railroad operated in this state when such railroad is not owned or leased by the person engaging in such business. (10) "Telegraph business" means the business of affording telegraphic communication for hire. (11) "Tugboat business" means the business of operating tugboats, towboats, wharf boats or similar vessels in the towing or pushing of vessels, barges or rafts for hire. (12) "Urban transportation business" means the business of operating any vehicle for public use in the conveyance of persons or property for hire, insofar as (a) operating entirely within the corporate limits of any city or town, or within five miles of the corporate limits thereof, or (b) operating entirely within and between cities and towns whose corporate limits are not more than five miles apart or within five miles of the corporate limits of either thereof. Included herein, but without limiting the scope hereof, is the business of operating passenger vehicles of every type and also the business of operating cartage, pickup, or delivery services, including in such services the collection and distribution of property arriving from or destined to a point within or without the state, whether or not such collection or distribution be made by the person performing a local or interstate line-haul of such property. (13) "Water distribution business" means the business of operating a plant or system for the distribution of water for hire or sale. (14) The meaning attributed, in chapter 82.04 RCW, to the term "tax year," "person," "value proceeding or accruing," "business," "engaging in business," "in this state," "within this state," "cash discount" and "successor" shall apply equally in the provisions of this chapter.
RCW 81.100.020 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 100 / Section 020
RCW 81.100.020: Definitions.
Status: reserved

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter. (1) "Transit agency" means a city that operates a transit system, a public transportation benefit area, a county transportation authority, or a metropolitan municipal corporation. (2) The "high occupancy vehicle system" includes high occupancy vehicle lanes, related high occupancy vehicle facilities, and high occupancy vehicle programs. (3) "High occupancy vehicle lanes" mean lanes reserved for public transportation vehicles only or public transportation vehicles and private vehicles carrying no fewer than a specified number of passengers under RCW 46.61.165 . (4) "Related facilities" means park and ride lots, park and pool lots, ramps, bypasses, turnouts, signal preemption, and other improvements designed to maximize use of the high occupancy vehicle system. (5) "High occupancy vehicle program" means advertising the high occupancy vehicle system, promoting carpool, vanpool, and transit use, providing vanpool vehicles, and enforcement of driving restrictions governing high occupancy vehicle lanes.
RCW 81.112.320 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 112 / Section 320
RCW 81.112.320: Sale and leaseback—Creation of public entity.
Status: in_force

To accomplish any of the activities under RCW 81.112.300 , a regional transit authority may create a public corporation, commission, or authority under RCW 35.21.730 through 35.21.755 , and authorize the corporation, commission, or authority to provide any of the facilities and services that a regional transit authority may provide including any activities under RCW 81.112.300 . A regional transit authority has all the powers, authorities, and rights granted to any city, town, or county or their agents under RCW 35.21.730 through 35.21.755 for the purposes of entering into and implementing transactions under RCW 81.112.300 .
RCW 81.54.010 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 54 / Section 010
RCW 81.54.010: Definitions.
Status: in_force

The term "grade crossing" when used in this chapter means any point or place where a logging or industrial railroad crosses a highway or a highway crosses such railroad or such railroad crosses any other railroad, at a common grade. The term "over-crossing" when used in this chapter means any point or place where a highway crosses a railroad by passing above the same. The term "under-crossing" when used in this chapter means any point or place where a highway crosses a railroad by passing under the same. The term "over-crossing" or "under-crossing" shall also mean any point or place where one railroad crosses another railroad not at grade. The term "logging" or "industrial" railroad when used in this chapter shall include every railway owned or operated primarily for the purpose of carrying the property of its owners or operators or a limited class of persons, with all tracks, spurs and sidings used in connection therewith.
RCW 81.48.070 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 48 / Section 070
RCW 81.48.070: Cruelty to stock in transit—Penalty.
Status: in_force

Railroad companies in carrying or transporting animals shall not permit them to be confined in cars for a longer period than forty-eight consecutive hours without unloading them for rest, water, and feeding for a period of at least two consecutive hours, unless prevented from so unloading them by unavoidable accident. In estimating such confinement, the time during which the animals have been confined without such rest on connecting roads from which they are received shall be included. Animals so unloaded shall, during such rest, be properly fed, watered by the owner or person having the custody of them, or in case of his or her default in so doing, then by the railroad company transporting them, at the expense of said owner or person in custody thereof, and said company shall in such case have a lien upon such animals for food, care, and custody furnished, and shall not be liable for such detention of such animals. If animals are transported where they can and do have proper food, water, space, and opportunity for rest, the foregoing provision in regard to their being unloaded shall not apply. Violators of this section shall be punished by fine not exceeding one thousand dollars per animal.
RCW 81.60.030 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 60 / Section 030
RCW 81.60.030: Oath.
Status: in_force

Before receiving a commission each person shall successfully complete a course of training prescribed or approved by the criminal justice training commission, and shall take, subscribe, and file with the commission an oath to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the state of Washington, and to faithfully perform the duties of the office. The corporation requesting commissioning of a railroad police officer shall bear the full cost of training. Railroad police officers commissioned under RCW 81.60.010 through 81.60.060 are subject to rules and regulations adopted by the commission.
RCW 81.80.372 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 80 / Section 372
RCW 81.80.372: Rights or privileges for compensatory services.
Status: in_force

This chapter does not confer on any person or persons the exclusive right or privilege of transporting property for compensation over the public highways of the state.
RCW 81.44.070 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 44 / Section 070
RCW 81.44.070: Duties of inspector of safety appliances.
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the inspector of tracks, bridges, structures, and equipment, and such deputies as may be appointed, to inspect all equipment, and appliances connected therewith, and all apparatus, tracks, bridges and structures, depots and facilities and accommodations connected therewith, and facilities and accommodations furnished for the use of employees, and make such reports of his or her inspection to the commission as may be required. He or she shall, on discovering any defective equipment or appliances connected therewith, rendering the use of such equipment dangerous, immediately report the same to the superintendent of the road on which it is found, and to the proper official at the nearest point where such defect is discovered, describing the defect. Such inspector may, on the discovery of any defect rendering the use of any car, motor or locomotive dangerous, condemn such car, motor or locomotive, and order the same out of service until repaired and put in good working order. He or she shall, on discovering any track, bridge, or structure defective or unsafe in any particular, report such condition to the commission, and, in addition thereto, report the same to the official in charge of the division of such railroad upon which such defect is found. In case any track, bridge, or structure is found so defective as to be dangerous to the employees or public for a train or trains to be operated over the same, the inspector is hereby authorized to condemn such track, bridge, or structure and notify the commission and the office in charge of the division of such railroad where such defect is found of his or her action concerning the same, reporting in detail the defect complained of, and the work or improvements necessary to repair such defect. He or she shall also report to the commission the violation of any law governing, controlling, or affecting the conduct of public service companies in this state, as such companies are defined in this title or in Title 80 RCW. The inspector, or such deputies as may be appointed, shall have the right and privilege of riding on any locomotive, either on freight or passenger trains, or on the caboose of any freight train, for the purpose of inspecting the track on any railroad in this state: PROVIDED, That the engineer or conductor in charge of any such locomotive or caboose may require such inspector to produce his or her authority, under the seal of the commission, showing that he or she is such inspector or deputy inspector. The inspector, or such deputy inspector or inspectors as may be appointed, shall, when required by the commission, inspect any street railroad, gas plant, electrical plant, water system, telephone line, or telegraph line, and upon discovering any defective or dangerous track, bridge, structure, equipment, apparatus, machinery, appliance, facility, instrumentality, or building, rendering the use of the same dangerous to the public or to the employees of the company owning or operating the same, report the same to the commission, and to the official in charge of such road, plant, system, or line.
RCW 81.64.140 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 64 / Section 140
RCW 81.64.140: Weather guards.
Status: in_force

All corporations, companies or individuals owning, managing or operating any street railway or line in the state of Washington, shall provide, during the rain or winter season, all cars run or used on its or their respective roads with good, substantial and sufficient vestibules, or weather guards, for the protection of the employees of such corporation, company or individual. The vestibules or weather guards shall be so constructed as to protect the employees of such company, corporation or individual from the wind, rain or snow.
RCW 81.36.030 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 36 / Section 030
RCW 81.36.030: Intersections and connections with other roads or canals.
Status: in_force

Every corporation formed under the laws of this state for the construction of a railroad shall have the power to cross, intersect, join and unite its railway with any other railway before constructed, at any point in its route, and upon the grounds of such other railway company, with the necessary turn-outs, sidings, switches and other conveniences in furtherance of the objects of its connections, and every corporation whose railway is or shall be hereafter intersected by any new railway shall unite with the corporation owning such new railway in forming such intersections and connections and grant the facilities aforesaid; and if the two corporations cannot agree upon the amount of compensation to be made therefor, or the points and manner of such crossings and connections, the same shall be ascertained and determined in the manner provided by law for the taking of lands and other property which shall be necessary for the construction of its road, and every corporation formed under the laws of this state for the construction of a canal shall have the power to cross and intersect any railway before constructed at any point in its road and upon the grounds of such other railway company, and every corporation whose railway is or shall hereafter be crossed or intersected by any canal shall unite with the corporation owning such canal in forming such crossings and intersections and grant the facilities therefor; and if the two corporations cannot agree upon the compensation to be made therefor, or the points and manner of such crossings and connections, the same shall be ascertained and determined in the manner provided by law for the taking of lands and other property which shall be necessary for the construction of said canal.(1) The secretary of transportation shall have the power and it shall be its duty to adopt and designate a uniform state standard for the manufacture, display, erection, and location of all signs, signals, signboards, guideposts, and other traffic devices erected or to be erected upon the state highways of the state of Washington for the purpose of furnishing information to persons traveling upon such state highways regarding traffic regulations, directions, distances, points of danger, and conditions requiring caution, and for the purpose of imposing restrictions upon persons operating vehicles thereon. Such signs shall conform as nearly as practicable to the manual of specifications for the manufacture, display, and erection of uniform traffic control devices for streets and highways and all amendments, corrections, and additions thereto. (2) The department of transportation shall prepare plans and specifications of the uniform state standard of traffic devices so adopted and designated, showing the materials, colors, and designs thereof, and shall upon the issuance of any such plans and specifications or revisions thereof and upon request, furnish to the boards of county commissioners and the governing body of any incorporated city or town, a copy thereof. Signs, signals, signboards, guideposts, and other traffic devices erected on county roads shall conform in all respects to the specifications of color, design, and location approved by the secretary. Traffic devices hereafter erected within incorporated cities and towns shall conform to such uniform state standard of traffic devices so far as is practicable. The uniform system must allow local transit authority bus shelters located within the right-of-way of the state highway system to display and maintain commercial advertisements subject to applicable federal regulations, if any. (3) The uniform system adopted by the secretary under this section may allow signs, banners, or decorations over a highway that: (a) Are in unincorporated areas; (b) Are at least 20 vertical feet above a highway; and (c) Do not interfere with or obstruct the view of any traffic control device. The department shall adopt rules regulating signs, banners, or decorations installed under this subsection (3). (4) Cold water shock signs authorized in chapter 54, Laws of 2023 are subject to the provisions of this section.
RCW 81.104.190 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 104 / Section 190
RCW 81.104.190: Contract for collection of taxes.
Status: in_force

Cities that operate transit systems, county transportation authorities, metropolitan municipal corporations, public transportation benefit areas, high capacity transportation corridor areas, and regional transit systems may contract with the state department of revenue or other appropriate entities for administration and collection of any tax authorized by RCW 81.104.150 , 81.104.160 , 81.104.170 , and 81.104.230 .
RCW 81.04.090 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 04 / Section 090
RCW 81.04.090: Forms of records to be prescribed.
Status: in_force

The commission may, in its discretion, prescribe the forms of any and all accounts, records and memoranda to be kept by public service companies, including the accounts, records and memoranda of the movement of traffic, sales of its product, the receipts and expenditures of money. The commission shall at all times have access to all accounts, records and memoranda kept by public service companies, and may employ special agents or examiners, who shall have power to administer oaths and authority, under the order of the commission, to examine witnesses and to inspect and examine any and all accounts, records and memoranda kept by such companies. The commission may, in its discretion, prescribe the forms of any and all reports, accounts, records and memoranda to be furnished and kept by any public service company whose line or lines extend beyond the limits of this state, which are operated partly within and partly without the state, so that the same shall show any information required by the commission concerning the traffic movement, receipts and expenditures appertaining to those parts of the line within the state.
RCW 47.36.130 — Washington Code / Title 81 / Chapter 36 / Section 130
RCW 47.36.130: Meddling with signs prohibited.
Status: in_force

No person shall without lawful authority attempt to or in fact alter, deface, injure, knock down, or remove any official traffic control signal, traffic device or railroad sign or signal, or any inscription, shield, or insignia thereon, or any other part thereof.It shall be lawful for any such corporation to build, own and operate irrigating ditches and canals in this state for the purpose of irrigating and reclaiming arid lands contiguous to or tributary to such line or lines of railway.