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D ',"-~ AUG 2 7 2015 )t'~7j· IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
AUTOMOTIVE UNITED TRADES ) ORGANIZATION, a non-profit trade ) association, ) ) No. 89734-4 Appellant, ) ) v. ) ) EnBanc The STATE OF WASHINGTON; ) JAY INSLEE, in his official capacity ) as Governor of the State of ) Washington; ALAN HAIGHT, in ) his official capacity as Director, ) Washington State Department of ) Licensing, ) ) Respondents. ) Filed AUG 2 7 2015
GONZALEZ, J .-·After several Indian tribes successfully challenged
imposition of state fuel taxes on tribal retailers, our legislature both authorized
the governor to resolve fuel tax controversies with tribes by agreement and
attempted to change state fuel tax law to avoid tribal immunity. Since then, the
State and various tribes have signed many agreements under which the tribes
agree to buy taxed fuel and the State agrees to refund a portion of the fuel tax Automotive United Trades Org. v. State, No. 89734-4
receipts to the tribes. An industry group has challenged the lawfulness of these
agreements. 1 The trial court dismissed the case at summary judgment.
We must decide whether those agreements violate article II, section 40
of the Washington State Constitution, which limits the use of state fuel tax ·
receipts to highway purposes, and whether the legislature improperly delegated
legislative authority to the governor to negotiate and enter into those
agreements. Without passing judgment on whether the legislature successfully
moved the legal incidence of the tax away from tribal retailers, we affirm.
BACKGROUND
Washington State taxes fuel. LAWS OF 1921, ch. 173, § 2. Not long
after the state began taxing fuel, the people approved the eighteenth amendment
to our constitution. This provision limits the use of motor fuel taxes to
"highway purposes," including "[r]efunds authorized by law for taxes paid on
motor vehicle fuels." WASH. CONST. art. II, § 40( d).
Several Indian tribes in Washington State own and operate gas stations
on tribal lands. Federal law limits the States' ability to tax tribes and tribal
enterprises. COHEN'S HANDBOOK OF FEDERAL INDIAN LAW§ 8.03[1][a], [b],
at 696-97 (Nell Jessup Newton ed., 2012) (citing Richard D. Pomp, The
1 Perhaps because the tribes are not parties to this case, whether the legislature has successfully avoided tribal immunity in the fuel tax arena has not been squarely litigated by the parties in this case or addressed in any published court opinion.
2 Automotive United Trades Org. v. State, No. 89734-4
Unfilled Promise of the Indian Commerce Clause and State Taxation, 63 TAX.
L. 897 (2010)).
Conflict over the State's power to tax fuels sold on tribal land has
existed in this state since at least 1930. See Sale to Indian on Reservation of
Liquid Fuel as Taxable, 20 Op. Att'y Gen. 629-30 (1929-30) (advising the state
treasurer that sale to an Indian retailer on Indian land was taxable). Recent
years have seen many more tribal enterprises operating gas stations on tribal
land and many more conflicts between states and tribes regarding fuel taxes.
COHEN, supra,§ 8.03[1][b], at 697 (citing Okla. Tax Comm 'n v. Chickasaw
Nation, 515 U.S. 450, 456-62, 115 S. Ct. 2214, 132 L. Ed. 2d 400 (1995)). In
Chickasaw Nation, the United States Supreme Court resolved some of the
conflicts by holding that "when Congress does not instruct otherwise, a State's
excise tax is unenforceable if its legal incidence falls on a Tribe or its members
for sales made within Indian country." Chickasaw Nation, 515 U.S. at 453.
The Chickasaw Nation case sparked two legislative actions in the 1990s
that led to the conflict before us. First, in a very brief bill, the legislature
authorized the Washington State Department of Licensing to enter into deals
with the tribes to settle legal conflicts regarding fuel taxes "upon terms
substantially the same as those in the consent decree entered by the federal
district court (Eastern District of Washington) in Confederated Tribes of the
Colville Reservation v. [Department ofLicensing] et al." LAWS OF 1995, ch.
3 Automotive United Trades Org. v. State, No. 89734-4
320, §§ 2-3. Under the consent decree, the tribes agreed to buy only fuel that
had already been taxed, record whether they sold the fuel to tribal or nontribal
members, and allow the State to review their records. In return, the State
would "refund ... the amount of motor vehicle fuel tax and special fuel tax that
any seller, distributor or dealer of such fuels has paid to the State and passed on
to ... the Tribes," measured by gallons of such fuel used by the tribes or
purchased by tribal members or businesses. Clerk's Papers (CP) at 1037-38
(consent decree). 2 Over the next few years, the State entered into similar
agreements with the Lummi, Port Gamble S 'Klallam, and Skokomish Tribes to
refund fuel taxes to the tribes based on gallons used by the tribes or sold to
tribal members. The State has entered agreements with many more tribes since
then. Wash. State Dep't of Licensing, Tribal Fuel Tax Agreement Report:
November 2014, at 2 (2014), http://www.dol.wa.gov/about/docs/2014-11-
tribal-fuel-tax-rpt. pdf.
Second, several years later and in a much more expansive bill, our
legislature attempted to move the legal incidence of the fuel tax away from
retailers, including tribal retailers, by declaring that "the ultimate liability for
2Much of the record arrived at this court sealed, including the tribal fuel tax compacts that both the State and the tribes assert are publically available, Br. ofResp'ts at 2; Br. Amicus Curiae Indian Tribal Gov'ts at 16, and a federal injunction and consent decree that are available on the Internet. It is questionable whether these and many ofthe other documents in this case were properly sealed under GR 15, but since no party or intervener has challenged the sealing, whether it was appropriate is not before us. We modify the trial court's broad sealing order only to the extent necessary for a full statement of the case.
4 Automotive United Trades Org. v. State, No. 89734-4
the tax imposed under this chapter [is] upon the motor vehicle fuel user,
regardless ofthe manner in which collection ofthe tax is provided for." LAWS
OF 1998, ch. 176, § 48. The act specifically carved out settlements and consent
decrees already entered to settle fuel tax controversies with tribes. Id. The
Squaxin Island and the Swinomish Indian Tribes challenged application of the
1998 amendments to them on the grounds that the legal incidence of the fuel
tax still fell on their tribal retailers and thus the tax was unenforceable. Squaxin
Island Tribe v. Stephens, 400 F. Supp. 2d 1250, 1251, 1261 (W.D. Wash.
2005). At the time, Washington used a tax-at-the-pump model where suppliers
and/or distributors were responsible for seeing that the tax was paid and were
entitled to recoup the moneys expended on taxes from the retailers. Id. at 1251-
52 (citing former RCW 82.36.035 (2005); former RCW 82.36.160 (2005)).
Judge Zilly of the United States District Court for the Western District of
Washington took a hard look at the actual operation of the fuel tax statutes;
found that notwithstanding the declaration from the legislature that
responsibility for the tax fell on the consumer, the legal incidence of the tax
still fell on the retailer because only the retailer was meaningfully legally
responsible to pay it; and enjoined collection of the tax from the plaintiff tribes.
!d. at 1255-62. Later, Judge Zilly entered a permanent injunction that said in
part:
5 Automotive United Trades Org. v. State, No. 89734-4
As a matter of federal law, the State of Washington's motor vehicle fuel taxes may not be applied to motor vehicle fuels, delivered to, received by, or sold by any retail fuel station that is owned by an Indian tribe, tribal enterprise, or tribal member and that is located within the tribe's Indian Country[.]
Defendant [State of Washington] is permanently enjoined from imposing or collecting motor vehicle fuel taxes, or otherwise seeking to enforce RCW chapter 82.36 with respect to motor vehicle fuels, delivered to, received by, or sold by Plaintiffs' retail fuel stations within their respective Indian Country.
CP at 494. The record suggests that at least as of the summary judgment
hearing below, the injunction was still in effect.
After Judge Zilly's injunction issued, the legislature considered moving
from a tax-at-the-pump model to a tax-at-the-rack model, in another attempt to
put the legal incidence of the tax outside of Indian Country and on someone
other than the retailer. S.B. 6785, at 5, 59th Leg., Reg. Sess. (Wash. 2006);
S.B. REP. ON S.B. 6785, 59th Leg., Reg. Sess. (Wash. 2006). An attorney
representing the Squaxin Island Tribe testified that if the bill passed, "tribes
like Squaxin Island Tribe, and others, already are and will be looking at how to
occupy the supplier position. Wherever you move the legal incidence of the tax,
... if it falls on a tribe or its members on their own land ... we're going to seek
to occupy that position." CP at 530, 534 (transcript of testimony before Senate
Transportation Committee on S.B. 6785). The bill did not pass.
6 Automotive United Trades Org. v. State, No. 89734-4
After the 2006 legislative session ended, '"the State, tribal
representatives, and a variety of other stakeholders worked on a compromise
that would allow the State to gain the efficiencies of moving the incidence of
the fuel tax up to the supplier level." CP at 284. Meanwhile, the United States
Supreme Court affirmed the imposition of a Kansas state distributor-level fuel
tax on fuel that was later sold by tribal enterprises on tribal land, finding that
Kansas had successfully imposed the legal incidence of the tax off the tribe and
outside of the tribal lands. Wagnon v. Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, 546
U.S. 95, 103, 126 S. Ct. 676, 163 L. Ed. 2d 429 (2005). In 2007, a tax-at-the-
rack bill did pass, with the support of at least one Indian tribe. S.B. REP. ON
S.B. 5272, at 3, 60th Leg., Reg. Sess. (Wash. 2007); CP at 545 (testimony of
Kelly Cromin, representative ofthe Squaxin Island Tribe); LAWS OF 2007, ch.
515. A representative from Automotive United Trades Organization (AUTO)
testified against the bill. S.B. REP. ON S.B. 5272, at 3. Perhaps as a result of
the earlier negotiations, the law specifically authorized the governor or her
designee to enter into fuel tax agreements with federally recognized tribes
operating or licensing retail gas stations on their lands but no longer required
the agreements to be "substantially similar" to the Colville Consent Decree,
which had carried a fairly heavy record keeping burden. LAws OF 2007, ch.
515, § 19 (codified at former RCW 82.36.450 (2007)); see also former RCW
7 Automotive United Trades Org. v. State, No. 89734-4
82.38.310 (2007) (similar statute governing special fuel taxes). 3 The legislature
has directed that the agreements with the tribes require them to spend the
refunds on "[p]lanning, construction, and maintenance of roads, bridges, and
boat ramps; transit services and facilities; transportation planning; police
services; and other highway-related purposes," RCW 82.36.450(3)(b ), and
include provisions "for audits or other means of ensuring compliance to certify
the number of gallons of motor vehicle fuel purchased by the tribe for resale at
tribal retail stations, and the use of fuel tax proceeds or their equivalent for the
purposes identified in (b) ofthis subsection," RCW 82.36.450(3)(c); see also
RCW 82.38.310 (imposing substantially similar requirements on special fuel
tax agreements).
Under the 2007 amendments, the motor fuel tax is imposed ( 1) when a
supplier removes fuel from a terminal rack and sells it to a distributor, (2) when
fuel is produced, (3) when fuel is imported, or (4) when fuel is blended in the
state, whichever comes first. LAws OF 2007, ch. 515, § 2 (codified at RCW
82.36.020(1), (2)). The tribes agreed to purchase tax-burdened fuel in return
for a refund of 7 5 percent of the taxes paid, which approximated the percentage
of the fuel purchased by tribal members, along with other conditions outlined in
3 These statutes, along with most of the statutes before the court today, were repealed effective July 1, 2015, while this case was pending at this court. LAWS OF 2013, ch. 225, §§ 501(64), 103, 130. Chapter 225 is an enormous bill that appears to coordinate disparate provisions of the fuel tax system across about 20 chapters and 8 titles of the RCW. The effect of these amendments is not before us. We note for the reader that subsequent citations to these statutes in this opinion are also to the former 2007 versions.
8 Automotive United Trades Org. v. State, No. 89734-4
RCW 82.36.450. Similar provisions apply to special fuel taxes. Former RCW
82.38.030 (2007); RCW 82.38.310. After that 2007 bill passed, the State and
the Squaxin and Swinomish Tribes settled their dispute and agreed to dismiss
the pending appeal and to move to vacate the injunction. However, despite this
new legislation and the parties' request, Judge Zilly declined to vacate his
injunction. While AUTO asserts that the legal incidence of the tax has been
moved up the distribution chain and away from the tribal retailers, it did not
squarely present that issue below for the trial judge's resolution, did not
designate it as an issue for review, and does not devote significant argument in
support of it. No case has been drawn to our attention that has analyzed
whether our legislature has successfully moved the legal incidence of the fuel
tax from the retailer up the distribution chain.
The fact that no court has ever analyzed whether the 2007 legislation
successfully moved the legal incidence of the tax off of tribal retailers is likely
a consequence of the fact that since the legislation was passed, nearly all the
litigation between the tribes and the State has been settled. Since 2007, the
State has entered into many "75 Percent Refund/25 Percent (75/25) State Tax
Agreements" with tribes who operate gas stations. See Tribal Fuel Tax
Agreement Report, supra, at 1-2. 4 Under these 75/25 agreements, the tribes
4As of2013, the State has entered into "75/25" agreements with the Chehalis Confederated Tribes, the Colville Confederated Tribes, the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, the Kalispel Tribe, the Nisqually Tribe, the Nooksack Tribe, the Port Gamble S'Klallam
9 Automotive United Trades Org. v. State, No. 89734-4
agree to purchase fuel that has been taxed and receive a "refund" of 7 5 percent
of the tax paid. The "operative effect" of the "75/25" agreements is that the
state fuel tax is paid by the supplier/distributor of the fuel and included in the
price the consumer pays at the pump. CP at 269. ''After purchasing the tax
burdened fuel, the tribe submits [an] invoice[] to DOL documenting the amount
of fuel purchased and applies for a refund up to 75 percent of the amount that
was paid for the state fuel tax." Id. Prior to the 2007 legislation, the State also
entered into "Per Capita Agreements" with some tribes that appear to still be in
effect. 5 Under the per capita agreements, the tribes are refunded a portion of
the fuel taxes collected based on estimates of the amount of fuel purchased by
tribal members on their reservations. Finally, the record suggests there are
some consent decrees with other tribes on different terms. The State and the
Yakama Nation have had ongoing conflicts about fuel taxes. Tribal Fuel Tax
Agreement Report, supra, at 2-4.
While the State and the tribes seem to have largely settled (at least
temporarily) their conflicts over fuel taxes, that harmony has not spread to all
other players in the industry. AUTO, "a nonprofit trade assoCiation consisting
Tribe, the Puyallup Tribe, the Shoalwater Bay Tribe, the Skokomish Tribe, the Snoqualmie Tribe, the Spokane Tribe, the Squaxin Island Tribe, the Stillaguamish Tribe, the Suquamish Tribe, the Swinomish Tribe, the Tulalip Tribes, and the Upper Skagit Tribe. See Tribal Fuel Tax Agreement Report, supra, at 2. Many ofthese tribes appear as amici in this case. 5 The State has entered into per-capita fuel tax agreements with the Lummi Nation, the
Makah Tribe, the Muckleshoot Tribe, the Quileute Tribe, and the Quinault Nation. Tribal Fuel Agreement. Report, supra, at 2.
10 Automotive United Trades Org. v. State, No. 89734-4
of independent gasoline and automotive service retailers" brought this case
seeking declaratory and injunctive relief and a writ of prohibition against the
State to prevent it from making "refunds" of fuel taxes to the tribes from the
Washington State Motor Vehicle Fund. CP at 1-2: It alleged in its complaint
that the agreements with the tribes violate our constitution's limits on the use of
fuel taxes, violate the privileges and immunities Clause, and are the product of
an unconstitutional delegation of legislative power to the executive. AUTO
also contends that its members are specifically injured because "prices are
substantially lower (in the range of 5 cents or more per gallon) at tribal retailers
compared with similarly branded non-tribal retailers in the same region." Id. at
182. It alleges the lower prices are a result of the refunds.
In 2011, the State successfully moved to dismiss the case for failure to
join the tribes as indispensable parties. Auto. United Trades Org. v. State, 175
Wn.2d 214, 221, 285 P.3d 52 (2012). Over a vigorous dissent, this court
reversed. Id. at 235. We found that the tribes were necessary but not
indispensable parties "whose joinder is not feasible due to tribal sovereign
immunity" and that "equitable considerations allow this action to proceed in
their absence." !d. at 220. The dissent concluded the tribes were indispensable
parties that could not be joined and would have affirmed dismissal. !d. at 235-
36 (Fairhurst, J., dissenting).
11 Automotive United Trades Org. v. State, No. 89734-4
On remand, the parties proceeded to discovery, which centered on the
various agreements with the tribes, the amount of money refunded to the tribes,
and the way the tribes used that money. Discovery revealed that by the time
this case went to summary judgment in 2013, tribes had received more than
$150 million dollars in refunds from the State. Discovery results also suggest
that the tribes may have used some of the refund money for a childcare
development center, which appears to be outside the scope of the contractual
provisions allowed by RCW 82.36.450(3)(b), though of course since the tribes
are not parties to the case, this fact has not been tested. AUTO found evidence
that tribal gas stations charged less than their competitors, though this fact is
disputed and also has not been tested. The State presented a declaration from an
expert who testified that he found no evidence that gas prices at tribal gas . . stations were consistently lower than their competitors and no evidence that
tribes were subsidizing gas prices with the refunds.
Both parties moved for summary judgment on the merits. Perhaps
because the tribes are not parties, the legal question whether the legal incidence
of the tax still fell on tribal retailers was alluded to by both sides but not
squarely confronted as an issue below. AUTO argued that under article II,
section 40, "revenues from fuel taxes [must] be spent exclusively for the
betterment of Washington's highway system," that the agreements with the
tribes violated the privileges and immunities clause (an argument they do not
12 Automotive United Trades Org. v. State, No. 89734-4
renew here), and that "the disbursements are the result of an unconstitutional
delegation of authority" to the executive branch. CP at 324. The State's
motion observes that that 2007 legislation moved the "incidence of motor
vehicle fuel and special fuelup to the supplier/distributor level," id. at 267, but
does not argue or concede that the State has moved the legal incidence of the
fuel tax away from the tribal retailers.
Judge Godfrey concluded that article II, section 40 plainly allows for
refunds and that the refunds at issue were properly authorized by the
legislature. Verbatim Report of Proceedings (VRP) (Nov. 25, 2013) at 49-50.
He denied AUTO's motion, granted the State's motion, and dismissed the case.
We granted AUTO's motion for direct review. The Washington Policy Center
has filed an amicus brief in support of AUTO. Fifteen tribes 6 have filed an
amicus brief in support of the State.
ANALYSIS
This case is here on appeal from summary judgment. Our review is de
novo. Freeman v. State, 178 Wn.2d 387, 393, 309 P.3d 437 (2013) (citing
Dowler v. Clover Park Sch. Dist. No. 400, 172 Wn.2d 471, 484, 258 P.3d 676
6 These tribes are the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, the Jamestown S 'Klallam Tribe, the Kalispel Tribe of Ii1dians, the Nisqually Indian Tribe, the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe, the Skokomish Indian Tribe, the Spokane Tribe of Indians, the Squaxin Island Tribe, the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, the Suquamish Tribe, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, the Tulalip Tribes, and the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe. This is all but three of the tribes who, as of2013, had 75/25 agreements with the State. Tribal Fuel Agreement Report, supra, at 2.
13 Automotive United Trades Org. v. State, No. 89734-4
(2011)). In essence, plaintiffs are challenging the constitutionality ofRCW
82.36.450, RCW 82.38.31 0, and related statutes that authorize executive
officers to negotiate fuel tax refunds to tribes, and also the application ofRCW
46.68.090, which directs the state treasurer to pay refunds from the motor
vehicle fund before making other distributions. "'We presume statutes are
constitutional and review challenges to them de novo."' Lummi Indian Nation
v. State, 170 Wn.2d 247, 257-58, 241 P.3d 1220 (2010) (quoting City of Seattle
v. Ludvigsen, 162 Wn.2d 660, 668, 174 P.3d 43 (2007)). AUTO, as the
challenger, bears the burden of showing unconstitutionality. State v. Lanciloti,
165 Wn.2d 661, 667, 201 PJd 323 (2009) (citing Heinsma v. City of
Vancouver, 144 Wn.2d 556, 561,29 PJd 709 (2001)).
1. ARTICLE II, SECTION 40
First, we are asked to decide whether it violates article II, section 40 of
our constitution for the State to refund a portion of fuel taxes to the tribes
pursuant to RCW 82.36.450 and RCW 82.38.31 0. Article II, section 40
provides in most relevant part:.
All ... excise taxes collected by the State of Washington on the sale, distribution or use of motor vehicle fuel ... shall be paid into the state treasury and placed in a special furid to be used exclusively for highway purposes. Such highway purposes shall be construed to include the · following:
14 Automotive United Trades Org. v. State, No. 89734-4
(d) Refunds authorized by law for taxes paid on motor vehicle fuels.
RCW 82.36.450(1) provides:
The governor may enter into an agreement with any federally recognized Iridian tribe located on a reservation within this state regarding motor vehicle fhel taxes included in the price of fuel delivered to a retail station wholly owned and operated by a tribe, tribal enterprise, or tribal member licensed by the tribe to operate a retail station located on reservation or trust property. The agreement may provide mutually agreeable means to address any tribal immunities or any preemption of the state motor vehicle fuel tax.
RCW 82.38.31 0( 1) makes similar provisions for agreements regarding special
fuel taxes. The State argues, and the trial judge below agreed, that article II,
section 40( d) of our constitution plainly allows for the refunds at issue. VRP
(Nov. 25, 2013) at 50 ("That's about as plain as it gets in my book."). AUTO
contends that the trial judge erred because "the disbursements here are not
refunds, and they have not been authorized by law." Br. of Appellant at 25.
The State agrees with AUTO that to qualify as a refund under article II, section
40, a disbursement must be a refund authorized by law. Br. ofResp'ts at 17.
The parties disagree about the application of these principles.
AUTO's argument that the disbursements under the agreements from the
motor vehicle fund are not properly refunds rests on two main contentions.
First, it contends that to qualify as a refund, the original tax must have been
paid even though it was not due. Br. of Appellant at 28 (citing Tiger Oil Corp.
15 Automotive United Trades Org. v. State, No. 89734-4
v. Dep't ofLicensing, 88 Wn. App. 925,937,946 P.2d 1235 (1997)). Amicus
Washington Policy Center strongly supports this contention. Br. of Amicus
Curiae Wash. Policy Center at 6-12. Second, to qualify as a refund, it "must
provide a targeted and substantial benefit to the class of taxpayers who paid the
tax but are exempted from it." Br. of Appellant at 28 (citing Wash. Off
Highway Vehicle All. v. State, 176 Wn.2d 225, 235, 290 P.3d 954 (2012)
(WOHVA) (Owens, J., lead opinion); id. at 241, 243 (J.M. Johnson, J.,
dissenting). It contends the disbursements to the tribes do not satisfy this
standard. It also argues that the tribes are misusing the refunds and that there is
insufficient statutory authorization for the refunds.
A. REFUNDS UNDER ARTICLE II, SECTION 40
First, AUTO contends that article II, section 40 refunds are limited to
cases where the tax was paid by a taxpayer who did not owe it. While this is an
interesting question, no Washington case has found such an implicit
constitutional requirement. Tiger Oil does not establish that proposition. In
relevant part, the Court of Appeals was considering a provision of chapter
82.38 RCW that granted interest on certain refunded taxes that were
erroneously paid. Tiger Oil Corp., 88 Wn. App. at 937 (citing RCW
82.38.180(3)). The Tiger Oil court had no occasion to consider the deep nature
of refunds under article II, section 40. Nor did the other cases called to our
attention, WOHVA, 176 Wn.2d 225, and Northwest Motorcycle Ass 'n v.
16 Automotive United Trades Org. v. State, No. 89734-4
Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation, 127 Wn. App. 408, 110 P.3d
1196 (2005).
More importantly, AUTO has not established that the tribes were legally
obligated to pay the tax outside of their contractual agreement to do so. Thus, a
factual predicate for our consideration of this issue is not present. Whether the
legislature has overcome tribal immunity turns on whether the legal incidence
falls on the tribe. Chickasaw Nation, 515 U.S. at 458-59. This was not
meaningfully briefed or considered at the trial court level, squarely presented as
an issue for review, or argued in the briefs. We leave for another day, with the
proper parties, whether the State successfully moved the legal incidence of the
tax away from the tribal retailers. Thus, we treat AUTO's assertion that the
legal incidence of the tax has moved off of the tribal reservation as not proved
and leave for another day whether a refund must be based on taxes paid when
not owed.
Second, AUTO argues that the disbursements to the tribes are not
refunds because they do not provide a sufficient targeted and substantial benefit
to the taxpayers who paid the tax. This seems to be predicated on the belief
that the refund must benefit the class of taxpayers who paid the tax, rather than
the taxpayers who bought the tax burdened fuel. While this is not a proposition
of law that has been squarely examined in our case law, we conclude our case
law does not support it. Under the tax schema in place at the time of both
17 Automotive United Trades Org. v. State, No. 89734-4
WOHVA and Northwest Motorcycle, the taxes would have (or, at least, should
have) been paid up the distribution chain and passed on to users who may or
may not have owed it. Former RCW 82.36.035 (2005); former RCW
82.36.020 (1983). The courts did not consider whether the refunds benefited
the class of those higher up the distribution chain who were legally obligated to
pay the tax; the court considered whether the refunds benefited the class of
those who purchased tax burdened fuel. WOHVA, 176 Wn.2d at 228-29; Nw.
Motorcycle, 127 Wn. App. at 414-15. Analogously, here, the refunds were
given to the tribes who successfully argued in federal court albeit under an
earlier version of our taxing schema that they did not owe the tax and yet
purchased tax burdened fuel. Tribal Fuel Tax Agreement Report, supra, at 2;
Squaxin Island Tribe, 400 F. Supp. 2d at 1262. The refunds were paid to tribal
governments under contracts that limited their use to various government
purposes. That is sufficient targeting. We find the refunds to the tribes
sufficiently benefit the affected taxpayers.
The State also provides little controlling helpful authority on the nature
of refunds, but it has the benefit of the legislature's plenary authority to
legislate, the presumption of constitutionality, and the plain language of the
constitution that allows "[r]efunds authorized by law for taxes paid on motor
vehicl~ fuels," WASH. CONST. art. II,§ 40(d). AUTO has not established that
the refunds to the tribes under agreements executed pursuant to RCW
18 Automotive United Trades Org. v. State, No. 89734-4
82.36.450(1) and related statutes are not refunds for the purposes of article II,
section 40. We find that the disbursements to the tribes under RCW 82.36.450
are refunds as contemplated by article II, section 40(d).
B. STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION
AUTO also argues that the disbursements to the tribes are not refunds
because they are not authorized by law. As AUTO properly acknowledges, the
term "authorized by law" has not been defined in the context of article II,
section 40. First, AUTO argues that the State has conceded that there was no
statutory authorization for the refunds. Br. of Appellant at 36-37 (quoting CP
at 1431-32) (deposition of Karla Laughlin). We do not find a concession in
Laughlin's deposition. Laughlin agreed with AUTO's counsel that the 2007
statutes did not specifically mention refunds. But she succinctly explained that
"[t]he statutes authorize the agreements; the agreements authorize the refunds."
CP at 1431-32. We decline to treat this deposition testimony as a binding
concession by the State that there is no statutory authorization for the refunds.
Next, AUTO argues that the needed "authority of law" is missing
because RCW 82.36.450 and RCW 82.38.310 do not specifically direct the
State to pay refunds to the tribes. The State argues that RCW 82.36.450 and
RCW 82.38.310, which authorize the governor to enter into these agreements
with tribes, and RCW 82.36.330 and RCW 46.68.090(1), which authorize the
state treasurer to make disbursements from the treasury to pay refunds, provide
19 Automotive United Trades Org. v. State, No. 89734-4
the needed authority of law. We agree with the State. Read as a whole, it is
plain that the legislature that passed Laws of 2007, chapter 515 meant to
authorize the governor to negotiate with the tribes tax compacts that would
contain refunds. The act amended laws that authorized agreements with terms
similar to those in the Colville settlement-which required refunds-·with laws
that authorized the governor to negotiate agreements that "may provide
mutually agreeable means to address any tribal immunities or any preemption
of the state motor vehicle fuel tax." LAWS OF 2007, ch. 515 5 §§ 19(1), 31(1).
It preserved existing agreements and consent decrees 5 all of which that have
been provided in this record include tax refunds. Id. §§ 19(2), 31(2). It
included some specific provisions that must be present in every agreement,
including a requirement that the tribes purchase tax burdened fuel. Id. §§
19(3), 31(3). Plainly, the legislature contemplated that the governor would
have something to offer the tribes in return for their agreement to purchase tax
burdened fuel and to accept the limitations on their use ofrefunds. 7
---·------,----- 7 AUTO also contends, for the first time on appeal, that the refunds are not "authorized by law" under article II, section 40 because the legislature did not make a specific appropriation under article VIII, section 4 of our state constitution. This issue was not briefed or argued below and may reach many stakeholders who have not had a meaningful opportunity to comment. For these reasons, we decline to reach it today. Cf Lummilndian Nation v. State, 170 Wn.2d 247, 256 n.l, 241 P.3d 1220 (2010) (quoting State v.. Waste Mgmt. ofWis., Inc., 81 Wis.2d 555, 564,261 N.W.2d 147 (1978)). Similarly, given that the tribes are not parties to this case and given AUTO's concession that if the refunds are proper, article II, section 40 places no limitations on the tribes' use of the disbursements, we decline to consider whether the tribes are using the refunds properly under their contracts. See CP at 400.
20 Automotive United Trades Org. v. State, No. 89734-4
We hold that the refunds to the tribes under the agreements and RCW
82.36.450, RCW 82.38.310, RCW 82.36.330 and RCW 46.68.090(1) are
"refunds authorized by law" under article II, section 40( d).
2. UNCONSTITUTIONAL DELEGATION
Next, AUTO contends the legislature improperly delegated legislative
authority to the executive to enter into fuel tax agreements with the tribes.
"The Legislature is prohibited from delegating its purely legislative functions"
to other branches of government. Diversified Inv. P 'ship v. Dep 't of Soc. &
Health Servs., 113 Wn.2d 19, 24, 775 P.2d 947 (1989) (citing Hi-Starr, Inc. v.
Liquor Control Bd., 106 Wn.2d 455, 458, 722 P.2d 808 (1986)). Separation of
powers is violated when "'the activity of one branch threatens the
independence or integrity or invades the prerogatives of another.'" Hale v.
Wellpinit School Dist. No. 49, 165 Wn.2d 494, 507, 198 P.3d 1021 (2009)
(internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting Carrick v. Locke, 125 Wn.2d 129,
135, 882 P.2d 173 (1994)).
However, the legislature may authorize the executive to take actions, and
a delegation of legislative power is constitutional
when it can be shown ( 1) that the legislature has provided standards or guidelines which define in general terms what is to be done and the instrumentality or administrative body which is to accomplish it; and (2) that procedural safeguards exist to control arbitrary administrative action and any administrative abuse of discretionary power.
21 Automotive United Trades Org. v. State, No. 89734-4
Barry & Barry, Inc. v. Dep 't of Motor Vehicles, 81 Wn.2d 155, 159, 500 P.2d
540 (1972). AUTO contends that neither requirement has been met here.
The legislature has provided fairly detailed standards and guidelines.
The statutes grant the governor the authority to negotiate agreements with the
tribes. RCW 82.36.450(1); RCW 82.38.310(1). They grant the governor the
authority to delegate that authority to the department of licensing. RCW
82.36.450(5); RCW 82.38.310(5). They allow the tribe and the governor to
agree to a dispute resolution mechanism to resolve questions of tribal immunity
or preemption. RCW 82.36.450(1); RCW 82.38.310(1). They require the
tribes to purchase previously taxed fuel. RCW 82.36.450(3); RCW
82.38.310(3). They limit the use ofthe refunds to "[p]lanning, construction,
and maintenance of roads, bridges, and boat ramps; transit services and
facilities; transportation planning; police services; and other highway-related
purposes." RCW 82.36.450(3)(b); RCW 82.38.310(3)(b). They require
provisions for audits to ensure compliance. RCW 82.36.450(3)(c); RCW
82.38.31 0(3)( c).
AUTO complains that the legislature has provided insufficient guidance,
though, because the statutes grant the governor permission to enter into these
agreements and grant the governor and tribes permission to agree to a dispute
resolution mechanism. But it points to no case where the fact that the operation
of the statute turns on what individuals "may" do rendered the statute
22 Automotive United Trades Org. v. State, No. 89734-4
unconstitutional. This court has rejected separation of powers challenges to
legislation the. effectiveness of which depended on negotiation with third
parties who mCly have chosen not to negotiate or execute contracts; See, e.g.,
Brower v. State, 137 Wn.2d 44, 55,969 P.2d42 (1998) ("[T]he Legislature
may condition the effectiveness· of legislation on the acts of a private party who
may possibly benefit from the legislation."); Diversified Inv. P 'ship, 113 Wn.2d
at 25 (concerning the sale of nursing homes).
AUTO also complains that the statutes fail the first requirement because
they do not define the objective of the agreements or explicitly state that the
tribes are entitled to payment. Br. of Appellant at 46. A fair reading of the
statutes, though, shows that they are aimed at coming to agreements to avoid
conflicts over tribal immunity and the State's desire to collect fuel taxes. RCW
82.36.450(1); RCW 82.38.310(1). It is hard to imagine that would not involve
payment.
AUTO also argues that the statutes fail the second requirement-"that
procedural safeguards exist to control arbitrary administrative action and any
administrative abuse of discretionary power." Barry & Barry, 81 Wn.2d at 159
(emphasis omitted). The statutes require regular audits and reports to the
legislature, RCW 82.36.450(3)(c), (6); RCW 82.38.310(3)(c), (6), which
AUTO deems inadequate. It is certainly correct that RCW 82.36.450 and RCW
82.3 8. 31 0 themselves do not contain strong procedural safeguards against the
23 Automotive United Trades Org. v. State, No. 89734A
legislature, governor, and the tribes failing to police the agreements. But
separation of powers does not require the safeguards be found in the same
statute under challenge-just that the safeguards exist. Barry & Barry, 81
Wn.2d at 158-59. We have found sufficient safeguards exist because of
administrative review and the availability of writs of certiorari, among other
things. See, e.g., id.; City ofAuburn v. King County, 114 Wn.2d 447, 452-53,
788 P.2d 534 (1990); McDonald v. Rogness, 92 Wn.2d 431, 445-47, 598 P.2d
707 ( 1979). No obvious route for administrative review appears here, but
should the executive and legislature both fail to police against administrative
abuse of power, third parties would not be completely without a remedy. They
could, for example, as AUTO did below, challenge the agreements on the . . grounds the legislature is giving a privilege to the tribes that is not enjoyed by others similarly situated in violation of the privileges and immunities clause
(article I, section 12 of the state constitution), which, frankly, seems to be
AUTO's real complaint--the abiding suspicion that the tribes got a privilege
that they should not have.
We. hold that AUTO has not met its burden of showing that the
legislature violated separation of powers by authorizing the governor to
negotiate agreements with the tribes. 8
8 AUTO's request for costs on appeal is denied. The State's Motion to Strike AUTO's Second Statement of Additional Authorities as being beyond the permissible bounds of RAP 10.8 is also denied.
24 Automotive United Trades Org. v. State, No. 89734-4
CONCLUSION
AUTO bears the burden of showing that the disbursements to the tribes
are not "[r]efunds authorized by law for taxes paid on motor vehicle fuels"
under article II, section 40( d). We find that it has not met that burden. We also
find no unconstitutional delegation oflegislative power. The judgment of the
trial court is affirmed.
25 Automotive United Trades Org. v. State, No. 89734-4
WE CONCUR: