The increase in costs is aimed to make up for a $1 billion budget shortfall, according to Washington Senate Democrats.
The bill was one of three passed on Saturday to address the state transportation budget.
鈥淭his is a year of budget challenges, but through a spirit of collaboration and compromise, we found a bipartisan solution to keep Washington moving ahead,鈥� said Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds).
Senate Bill 5801 faced some opposition from Senate Republicans.
鈥淲e鈥檙e putting gas taxes on automatic pilot and we鈥檙e putting the citizens of the state on mute,鈥� Sen. Jeff Wilson (R-Longview) said. 鈥淭heir taxes will keep going up and up, without representation, and the state will keep on taking and taking,鈥� he said.
The Washington State House is also considering a bill to raise the gas tax by nine cents, which is expected to be voted on next week.
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