Lawmakers consider charging fees for studded tire use

State lawmakers in Washington are targeting studded tires with proposed new fees. A House bill would require an annual fee of $100 a year. Not buying the permit and using studs would carry a $500 fine. A Senate bill would set the fee at $75 a year, and carry a $75 fine for failure to buy the permit.

Studs cost $18 to $27 million annually in repairs of rutted state highways, officials said last week, and that does not count the cost to cities and counties for damage to local roads.