SPOKANE, Wash. — Update: The Washington state Supreme Court ruled on Thursday, Oct. 15 that Initiative 976 is unconstitutional. The answer: The Washington State Supreme Court held a hearing on the measure in June and is still awaiting a decision. Much of the car-tab initiative would take effect Dec. 5, according to the state. Jay Inslee said he'd consider the idea of providing some relief from tabs, due to coronavirus, but so far no action has been taken. In a ruling published late Wednesday, the Supreme Court of Washington State upheld an injunction against a controversial $30 car tabs measure. How much will change is still to be determined. I-976 ($30 car tab) ruled unconstitutional. The fate of Initiative 976, which would limit motor vehicle license fees (car tab fees) to $30 per year and was approved by the state’s voters in November, will now be decided by the Washington State Supreme Court. $30 car tabs on hold, but transportation cuts coming anyway State and local leaders are moving forward as if Initiative 976 is in effect — even though the … But the state Supreme Court has let an injunction stand (read the ruling) against what is known as the $30 car tabs initiative.That means hundreds of thousands of drivers will get full price bills in the coming months that they thought they had voted to reduce. The state’s budget office estimates the passage of I-976 eliminates more than $4 billion in tax revenue by 2025. So where is it now? Voters approved the initiative that caps car-tab fees to $30 for vehicles that weigh 10,000 pounds or less. (MyNorthwest photo) A new plan announced by Washington House Republicans would … If your current tabs expired less than 12 months ago, we'll give you a new full year registration period. With many people struggling under the financial pressures of the coronavirus pandemic, folks want to know: What happened to $30 car tabs? Initiative Measure No. The judge essentially said: nix the Kelley Blue Book part and exempt Burien, and the rest of I-976 can be enacted. The initiative eliminates extra fees for everything from electric vehicles to Sound Transit light rail projects. January 15, 2020 at 3:35 pm. On Wednesday, King County Executive Dow Constantine also asked the county prosecutor's office to prepare a lawsuit challenging I-976. The Washington State Attorney General's Office defended I-976, as it's legally assigned to defend all passed ballot measures from lawsuits. In mid-March it appeared as though the judge would lift the injunction he had placed on the measure months earlier. Do they still have to pay the original, more expensive tabs? If you're stationed outside of Washington when your tabs expire, you may be able to get a new expiration date. In King County Superior Court, the judge who has handled the case since the start found that two aspects of the initiative violate the law. More than 60 cities use car-tab fees to pay for road construction, bus service and sidewalks. Read more here. Washington Governor Jay Inslee(D), who opposed I-976, released a statement on November 6, 2019, saying, "In response to the will of the people, I am taking immediate action. However, one fee that won’t be going away is a $75 charge for electric car owners. Washington voters passed ballot measure I-976 in November 2019, electing to slash a variety of taxes and fees related to transportation and make car tabs $30. A Department of Licensing spokesperson said car owners in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties will continue to pay the Sound Transit RTA tax until March 31, 2020. Inslee to assess if Washington National Guard still needed at state Capitol after Biden inauguration, NBA commissioner, team owners talk league expansion and valuation, Mariners GM Dipoto moving at slower pace this offseason, 'I am just so proud': Puget Sound-area Alpha Kappa Alpha members celebrate Kamala Harris on Inauguration Day. That is the latest deadline spelled out in I-976, but Eyman said the state is misinterpreting the initiative and car owners across the state should all start paying $30 for their car tabs on Dec. 6. But that doesn't mean car and truck owners will see $30 car-tab fees then. OLYMPIA, Wash. — While the Department of Licensing works out the details of the effects of Initiative 976, it advises car owners who have to renew their car tabs to pay their bills in full. 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