First Student, Inc., V State Of Wa Dept Of Revenue , 423 P.3d 921 ( 2018 )

Filed
Washington State
Court of Appeals
Division Two
August 14, 2018
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
FIRST STUDENT, INC., No. 49979-7-II
Appellant, PUBLISHED OPINION
v.
STATE OF WASHINGTON, DEPARTMENT
OF REVENUE,
Respondent.
BJORGEN, J. — First Student Inc., a business providing transportation services, appeals
from an order denying its motion for summary judgment, granting the Department of Revenue
(Department) summary judgment, and dismissing its excise tax refund action. In its order, the
superior court ruled that First Student’s income from transporting students under contracts with
various school districts is properly taxed under the Business and Occupation (B&O) tax, but not
the Public Utility Tax (PUT).
First Student claims that it provides transportation services to school districts on a “for
hire” basis and, therefore, should be taxable under the motor and urban transportation business
PUT classifications instead of the B&O tax classification.1 First Student argues that the term
“for hire” is plain on its face and unambiguously means “services provided for compensation,”
bringing its services under the PUT. The Department interprets the term “for hire” by excise tax
1
First Student would be taxed at a lower rate under the PUT.
No. 49979-7-II
rule to provide that school bus operators are taxable under the “other business or service
activities” B&O tax classification. This appeal, therefore, revolves around the meaning of “for
hire” contained in Title 82 RCW, a term not defined by the statute.
Concluding that the term “for hire” is ambiguous, and the Department’s interpretation is
entitled to great weight, we affirm.
FACTS
First Student provides transportation services to organizations, including school districts,
youth groups, summer camps, and churches, as well as other private parties.2 Between 1990 and
2014, First Student regularly reported on the B&O tax form the income it received for providing
transportation services to school districts under the “other business or service activities” tax
classification. Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 110-11.
On September 6, 2013, however, First Student requested a letter ruling from the
Department regarding the correct tax classification for the revenue it received from its contracts
with school districts. First Student explained that it owns and operates school buses and that its
customers are primarily various school districts in Washington, including the Seattle School
District. First Student argued that the Department should tax it under the PUT classifications,
not the B&O tax classification, because its “school buses are motor propelled vehicles that
convey students” and “are passenger vehicles for public use that convey students.” CP at 128-
2
In 2014, for example, First Student entered into a contract to provide school bus services for the
Vashon Island School District. In that contract, First Student agreed to “operate [school]
transportation services” and “furnish labor, school buses and bus maintenance, and materials and
supplies as required to provide the District with transportation service.” Clerk’s Papers (CP) at
35. To receive compensation, First Student agreed to provide the Vashon Island School District
with an invoice for the services rendered during the preceding month. The contract’s service
requirements state that “[t]he District reserves the right to approve each route and route stop, and
to determine which students are to be transported and the manner of transportation.” CP at 38.
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29. The Department issued a letter ruling declining to change its longstanding interpretation that
school bus operators are subject to the “other business or service activities” B&O tax
classification. CP at 134-35.
First Student filed an appeal with the Department’s Appeals Division seeking reversal of
the Department’s letter ruling. While the appeal was pending, First Student submitted three
administrative refund requests to the Department and sought to reclassify its income reported
under the “other business or service activities” B&O tax classification to the “motor
transportation business” and “urban transportation business” PUT classifications. The refund
request also sought the difference in taxes paid resulting from the Department’s alleged incorrect
tax classification. The Department denied the administrative refund requests, and First Student
submitted a supplemental petition to the Department’s Appeals Division appealing the refund
request denials. The Appeals Division consolidated the refund requests into First Student’s
appeal of the letter ruling. After review, the Appeals Division issued a determination that denied
First Student’s consolidated appeal.
In accord with RCW 82.32.180, First Student then filed a notice of appeal and complaint
for refund of excise taxes with the Thurston County Superior Court. First Student filed a motion
for summary judgment, claiming its transportation services were taxable under the PUT
classifications but exempt from B&O taxation under former RCW 82.04.310 (2010). First
Student also requested a refund of the B&O taxes it paid between December 1, 2008 and
December 31, 2014. In its response to First Student’s motion for summary judgment, the
Department requested that the superior court grant it judgment as a matter of law, arguing that
the B&O tax properly applies to revenues received by First Student for providing bus
transportation services to school districts.
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In response to First Student’s requests for admission, the Department admitted that
“during the Refund Period the vehicles operated by First Student were used to transport people.”
CP at 26. The Department also admitted that “First Student operates vehicles with passengers,”
but did not “admit that the vehicles were ‘passenger vehicles’ because the term is not defined.
Washington law distinguishes between buses and ‘passenger vehicles.’” CP at 26. The
Department also admitted that “during the Refund Period First Student received compensation
for transporting passengers” and that “during the Refund Period the students transported by First
Student . . . were passengers.” CP at 27. The Department denied that “during the Refund Period
First Student transported persons for hire.” CP at 27.
The superior court found that there were no genuine issues of material fact. The superior
court concluded that the Department was entitled to judgment as a matter of law because First
Student’s income from transporting students under its contracts with school districts was
properly taxed under the B&O tax classification “other business or service activities,” former
RCW 82.04.290 (2013), not under the PUT. Accordingly, the superior court denied First
Student’s motion for summary judgment and granted summary judgment in the Department’s
favor. The court dismissed First Student’s tax refund claim with prejudice.
First Student appeals.
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ANALYSIS
I. SUMMARY JUDGMENT
First Student argues that the superior court erred when it denied First Student’s motion
for summary judgment, granted summary judgment to the Department, and dismissed First
Student’s excise tax refund action. We disagree.
A. Standard of Review
We review questions of law on appeal from summary judgment de novo. Avnet, Inc. v.
Dep’t of Revenue, 187 Wash. 2d 44, 49, 384 P.3d 571 (2016). Summary judgment is appropriate
only if there are no genuine issues of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment
as a matter of law. CR 56(c). Because there appear to be no genuine issues of material fact in
this case, we review only whether the facts require upholding the summary judgment as a matter
of law. Fahn v. Cowlitz County, 93 Wash. 2d 368, 373, 610 P.2d 857 (1980).
“In a tax refund case, we review legal conclusions de novo.” Tesoro Ref. & Mktg. Co. v.
Dep’t of Revenue, 164 Wash. 2d 310, 316, 190 P.3d 28 (2008). We also review de novo matters of
statutory interpretation and may substitute our interpretation of the law for that of the agency.
Port of Seattle v. Pollution Control Hr’gs Bd., 151 Wash. 2d 568, 593, 90 P.3d 659 (2004).
B. Current Department of Revenue Tax Classification of Businesses Operating School
Buses
The state of Washington imposes the B&O tax “for the act or privilege of engaging in
business” within the state. Former RCW 82.04.220(1) (2011). Business activities other than
those that are specifically taxable elsewhere in chapter 82.04 RCW are subject to the “other
business or service activities” B&O tax classification. Former RCW 82.04.290(2).
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No. 49979-7-II
Former RCW 82.04.310 provides that the B&O tax “does not apply to any person in respect
to a business activity with respect to which tax liability is specifically imposed under the provisions
of chapter 82.16 RCW.”
The PUT is imposed under chapter 82.16 RCW, and applies to motor transportation and
urban transportation businesses, among others. Former RCW 82.16.020(1)(d), (f) (2013).
Therefore, if First Student’s business activity constitutes either motor transportation business or
urban transportation business, then the B&O tax does not apply.
“Motor transportation business” is defined as:
[T]he 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.
Former RCW 82.16.010(6) (2010) (emphasis added).
“Urban transportation business” is defined as:
[T]he 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.
Former RCW 82.16.010(12) (emphasis added).
The Department adopted WAC Rule 180 to administer this statute. Rule 180 provides, in
part:
(5) What does “motor transportation” and “urban transportation” include? Motor
and urban transportation include the business of operating motor-driven vehicles,
on public roads, used in transporting persons or property belonging to others, on a
for-hire basis. These terms include the business of:
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No. 49979-7-II
(a) Operating taxicabs, armored cars, and contract mail delivery vehicles,
but do not include the businesses of operating auto wreckers or towing
vehicles (taxable as sales at retail under RCW 82.04.050), school buses,
ambulances, nor the collection and disposal of solid waste (taxable under
the service and other activities B&O tax classification).
WAC 458-20-180 (emphasis added). Consequently, the Department’s current excise tax rules
specifically exclude businesses operating school buses from the PUT classifications.
On the other hand, WAC Rule 224 specifically provides that income derived from
operating school buses is subject to the “other business or service activities” B&O tax. WAC
458-20-224. Rule 224(2) provides, in part:
Persons engaged in any business activity, other than or in addition to those for
which a specific rate is provided in the statute, are taxable under a classification
known as service and other business activities, and so designated upon return
forms. In general, it includes persons rendering professional or personal services
to persons (as distinguished from services rendered to personal property of persons)
such as . . . school bus operators.
(Emphasis added.)
Therefore, under the Department’s current excise tax rules, businesses operating school
buses are taxable under the “other business or service activities” B&O tax classification. The
question before us is whether these rules are consistent with the governing statutes.
C. Plain Meaning and Statutory Context
First Student argues that the plain meaning of the statutory term “for hire” is
unambiguous. For the following reasons we conclude the term “for hire,” as used in former
RCW 82.16.010, is ambiguous.
If possible, we derive legislative intent solely from the plain language enacted by the
legislature, considering the text of the provision in question, the context of the statute in which
the provision is found, related provisions, amendments to the provision, and the statutory scheme
as a whole. Cashmere Valley Bank v. Dep’t of Revenue, 181 Wash. 2d 622, 631, 334 P.3d 1100
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No. 49979-7-II
(2014). Where statutory terms are undefined, we will commonly resort to dictionaries to
ascertain the plain meaning of statutory language. HomeStreet, Inc. v. Dep’t of Revenue, 166
Wash. 2d 444, 451, 210 P.3d 297 (2009). When statutory language is clear, we assume that the
legislature “meant exactly what it said” and apply the plain language of the statute. Duke v.
Boyd, 133 Wash. 2d 80, 87, 942 P.2d 351 (1997).
If, after consideration of all relevant statutory language, “the statute remains susceptible
to more than one reasonable meaning,” “the statute is ambiguous and it is appropriate to resort to
aids to construction, including legislative history.” Campbell & Gwinn, LLC v. Dep’t of
Ecology, 146 Wash. 2d 1, 12, 43 P.3d 4 (2002). We neither construe statutory language to reach
absurd or strained consequences nor question the wisdom of a statute, even where its results
seem harsh. Stroh Brewery Co. v. Dep’t of Revenue, 104 Wash. App. 235, 239, 15 P.3d 692
(2001). “In interpreting and construing a statute, we must give effect to all of the language,
rendering no portion meaningless or superfluous.” Id. at 239-40.
This case hinges on the meaning of “for hire” as used in former RCW 82.16.010(6) and
(12). In 1943, the legislature amended the PUT definition for “urban transportation business”
and added the term “for hire.” LAWS OF 1943, ch. 156, § 10A(j)(2). In 1955, the legislature
likewise amended the PUT definition for “highway [now ‘motor’] transportation business” and
again added the term “for hire.” LAWS OF 1955, ch. 389, § 28. The legislature has never defined
the term “for hire” used throughout former RCW 82.16.010.
When a term has a well-accepted, ordinary meaning, a general purpose dictionary may be
consulted to establish the term’s definition. City of Spokane ex rel. Wastewater Mgmt. Dep’t v.
Dep’t of Revenue, 145 Wash. 2d 445, 454, 38 P.3d 1010 (2002). However, when a technical term is
used in its technical field, the term should be given its technical meaning by using a technical
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rather than a general purpose dictionary to determine the term’s definition. Id. at 454. In this
case, it is unclear whether the legislature intended the term “for hire” to be given its ordinary or
technical, legal meaning.
First Student argues that the plain meaning of the term “‘for hire’” is “‘available for use
or service in return for payment.’” Br. of Appellant at 10 (quoting WEBSTER’S THIRD NEW INT’L
DICTIONARY 1072 (3d ed.) (2002)).3 We generally refrain, though, from applying modern
definitions to time-worn statutes and will attempt to glean a definition from a dictionary in print
at the time the legislature amended the statute. See League of Educ. Voters v. State, 176 Wash. 2d
808, 821, 295 P.3d 743 (2013) (“The court gives the words ‘their common and ordinary
meaning, as determined at the time they were drafted.’”) (quoting Wash. Water Jet Workers
Ass’n v. Yarbrough, 151 Wash. 2d 470, 477, 90 P.3d 42 (2004)). The general purpose dictionaries
we reviewed from the time period do not have a plain language definition of the phrase “for
hire”; instead, they contain separate definitions of the terms “for” and “hire.”
There are numerous definitions of the word “for,” each of which depends on context.
Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 984 (2d ed.) (1954), defined “for” in relevant part,
as follows:
2. Indicating the end with reference to which anything acts[,] serves, or is done, as:
. . . a preparation towards, against, or in view of; having as goal or object; in order
to be, become, or act as; to serve as, or as part of; to supply the need of; in order to
effect; as, one dresses for dinner; he has enlisted for a solider; built for a church;
only wild game for food; he labored for the good of humanity.
Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1182 (2d ed.) (1954) defined “hire” as
follows:
3
First Student cites Webster’s Third New International Dictionary from the year 2000 without
providing the edition; however, we were only able to verify the definition provided by First
Student in the edition we cited here.
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1. To engage or purchase the labor or services of (anyone) for compensation or
wages; as, to hire a servant, an agent, or an advocate. 2. To procure (any chattel
or estate) from another person, for temporary use, for a compensation or equivalent,
as, to hire a farm for a year; to hire money. 3. To grant the temporary use of, for
compensation; to engage to give the service of, for a price; to let; lease.
Thus, the ordinary meaning of the term “for hire” at the time the statute was drafted could
be understood as effecting the engagement or purchase of labor or services for compensation or
wages.
The Department argues we should give the term “for hire” its familiar legal (or technical)
meaning, citing Cashmere, 181 Wash. 2d at 634. In 1951, Black’s Law Dictionary defined the term
“for hire or reward” as follows:
[T]o transport passengers or property of other persons than owner or operator of the
vehicle for a reward or stipend, to be paid by such passengers, or persons for whom
such property is transported, to owner or operator. Michigan Consol. Gas Co. v.
Sohio Petroleum Co., 32 N.W.2d 353[,] 321 Mich. 102 [1948].
BLACK’S LAW DICTIONARY 773 (4th ed.) (1951); see also BLACK’S LAW DICTIONARY 773 (4th
ed.) (1957) (definition unchanged); 17A THOMPSON-WEST, WORDS & PHRASES 37 (Permanent
Ed.) (2004) (providing the same definition).
A fair reading of this particular definition makes one facet of the term “for hire”
apparent: any compensation or remuneration (i.e., “reward or stipend”) paid to “transport
passengers or property” was “to be paid by such passengers.” In other words, the legal (or
technical) meaning of the term “for hire” at the time the statute was drafted contemplated that the
“passengers” would be directly responsible for any compensation paid.
In considering the plain language of former RCW 82.16.010, we must also evaluate the
context of the statute in which the provision is found, related provisions, amendments to the
provision, and the statutory scheme as a whole. Cashmere, 181 Wash. 2d at 631.
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First Student argues that the Department’s interpretation of the term “for hire” conflicts
with the statutory context and its own administration of PUT. It maintains that “[w]hen the same
words are used in different parts of the same statute, it is presumed that the Legislature intended
that the words have the same meaning,” citing Timberline Air Service, Inc. v. Bell Helicopter-
Textron, Inc., 125 Wash. 2d 305, 313, 884 P.2d 920 (1994). Br. of Appellant at 21. It highlights
that the term “for hire” is used or referenced multiple times throughout former RCW 82.16.010
and the term should be read in a manner that consistently applies to each definition of businesses
subject to the PUT. For example, First Student argues it would be absurd to apply the legal (or
technical) definition of “for hire” urged by the Department to a “network telephone service.” Br.
of Appellant at 22-23.
The PUT definitions comprise a variety of public utility businesses, most of which do not
involve transport of persons or property.4 Network telephone service, for example, is defined by
former RCW 82.16.010(7)(b)(ii) as
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.
(Emphasis added.) If we accept the Department’s view of the definition of the term “for hire” in
the context of transportation services, then network telephone service would be subject to the
PUT as a “for hire” service only if each user paid for each use of the service when it occurred.
4
Aside from “motor transportation business” and “urban transportation business,” former RCW
82.16.010 uses the term “for hire” in the following definitions: gas distribution business; light
and power business; network telephone service; railroad business; telegraph business; tugboat
business; and water distribution business.
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This is incongruous with customary notions of “network telephone service,” thus supporting
First Student’s position.
The Department urges that its interpretation that transportation provided by school bus
operators is not provided on a “for hire” basis can be harmonized with the other related
definitions in former RCW 82.16.010. The Department cites American Legion Post #149 v.
Dep’t of Health, 164 Wash. 2d 570, 585, 192 P.3d 306 (2008), for the proposition that statutes are
to be read together, whenever possible, to achieve a harmonious statutory scheme and to avoid
an interpretation that creates conflicts between different related provisions. The Department
argues its interpretation does not create conflict between different related provisions because the
legislature’s other uses of the term “for hire” involve public utilities unrelated to the transport of
persons or property. The Department asserts that the only other definition in former RCW
82.16.010 that involves the transport of persons or property is “railroad business.” “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. Former RCW 82.16.010(8). The
Department claims there is no inconsistency in applying the interpretation that “for hire” requires
the payment “to be paid by such passengers.” Br. of Resp’t at 29. The Department concludes its
interpretation of the term “for hire” as applied to the transport of person or property is wholly
consistent with related provisions in former RCW 82.16.010.
The Department is correct that the term “for hire” is applied to a miscellany of enterprises
in former RCW 82.16.010. By their nature, these enterprises are not all equally amenable to
requiring payment for each use. Thus, reading “for hire” in the context of telephone service not
to require payment for each separate use is not necessarily inconsistent with reading “for hire” to
require payment for each use from bus passengers. Still, a statute must be read in light of its
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various provisions, rather than in a piecemeal fashion, American Legion, 164 Wash. 2d at 585, and
First Student is correct that varying interpretations of the same term, “for hire,” in the same
statute, arguably do not result in harmonious construction.
Ultimately, the question is whether the legislature intended to draw distinctions in the use
of the term “for hire” among the various definitions contained in former RCW 82.16.010; that is,
whether the legislature intended the meaning of “for hire” to be mutable depending on the
specific business classification in question. Review of the plain meaning and statutory context of
former RCW 82.16.010 leads us to one conclusion: the statute remains susceptible of more than
one reasonable meaning. Accordingly, we hold that the term “for hire” is ambiguous and turn to
the resolution of that ambiguity.5 6 7
D. Agency Deference, Contemporaneous Construction, and Legislative Acquiescence
Simply put, First Student argues we should not accord deference to the Department’s
exclusion of school buses under WAC Rule 180. We disagree.
Where a statute is ambiguous, but within the realm of agency expertise, we will accord
the agency’s interpretation great weight. Port of Seattle, 151 Wash. 2d at 593. Deference to an
5
The Department argues that the legislature distinguishes the term “for hire” and “for
compensation” and points us to Title 46 RCW. Br. of Resp’t. at 34-35. First Student argues
Title 46 RCW is irrelevant to this case but, in any event, consistent with its construction of the
term “for hire.” Because this statute is unrelated to the statutory scheme at issue in this case, we
do not address these arguments.
6
First Student argues that the Department’s construction of the term “for hire” would exclude
virtually all charter bus operators from the motor and urban transportation business definitions.
The Department argues its interpretation is consistent with the statutory context as applied to
charter bus transportation. These arguments do not affect our conclusion that the term “for hire”
is ambiguous.
7
The Department points us to out-of-state authority to support its construction that school bus
transportation is not provided “for hire.” We need not turn to non-binding, out-of-state authority
to resolve the matter before us.
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agency’s interpretation of its own regulations is appropriate. Id. More specifically, because the
Department is the agency designated by the legislature to “[a]ssess and collect all taxes and
administer all programs relating to taxes,” former RCW 82.01.060 (2011), our Supreme Court
has held that the Department’s interpretation of relevant statutes and regulations is entitled to
great weight. See id.; see also Pringle v. State, 77 Wash. 2d 569, 573, 464 P.2d 425 (1970).
Pringle held that “interpretive rules and regulations promulgated by the Tax Commission are
entitled to great weight in resolving doubtful meanings of taxing laws.” 77 Wash. 2d at 573.
In interpreting a statute, we also accord great weight to the contemporaneous construction
placed on it by officials charged with its enforcement, particularly where the legislature has
silently acquiesced in that construction over a long period of time. In re Sehome Park Care Ctr.,
Inc., 127 Wash. 2d 774, 780, 903 P.2d 443 (1995). The repeated reenactment of a statute, without
repudiating a prior administrative interpretation of it, provides some evidence of legislative
acquiescence, but it is not wholly conclusive. Pringle, 77 Wash. 2d at 573. In such cases,
legislative silence is only a factor to be considered. Id.
Through multiple amendments to the excise tax statutes over many decades, the
Department has consistently interpreted the law to subject contracted school bus operations to
the B&O tax. The legislature has never overruled that interpretation. The Revenue Act of 1935,
Laws of 1935, chapter 180 (Act) provides the foundation of our contemporary tax code.8 The
8
Tax Commission implementing regulations related to school bus operations can be traced as far
back as 1934. For example, one Tax Commission regulation classified “[t]he business of
transporting school children under contract with school districts” as “service or other business.”
CP at 330 (WASH. STATE TAX COMM’N, Business Tax Regs., art. 294.12 (1934)). The
classification included persons operating school buses in situations where the school district
became the lessee of the vehicle under an agreement and where the owner of the vehicle entered
into a contract with a school district to provide services. It similarly applied to “certified or other
licensed motor vehicle carriers operating, under contract, buses, carrying school children
exclusively.” Id.
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Act provided for the levy and collection of a tax and excise upon the act or privilege of engaging
in business activities in the state of Washington, and included a title called “Business and
Occupation Tax.” LAWS OF 1935, ch. 180, §§ 4-15. The Act also included a title called “Public
Utility Tax.” LAWS OF 1935, ch. 180, §§ 36-37.
In 1936, the Tax Commission promulgated contemporaneous rules implementing the Act.
WASH. STATE TAX COMM’N RULES & REGULATIONS (1936). As relevant, WAC Rule 180
governed highway transportation companies and described the applicable tax classifications for
various business activities. Id. at 106. The PUT classification applied to “all revenue derived
from the carriage of passengers or freight, including baggage, and the revenue derived from pick-
up and delivery services rendered.” Id. The B&O “business and other service activities” tax
classification applied to “contracts with schools districts to transport school children,” among
other matters. Id.
In 1943, the legislature amended the PUT “urban transportation business” and “highway
transportation business” definitions. LAWS OF 1943, ch. 156, § 10A(j)(2), (i). The Tax
Commission contemporaneously promulgated amended rules that included various revisions to
reflect the legislative amendments. WASH. STATE TAX COMM’N RULES & REGULATIONS (1943).
Of import, Rule 180 included a “NOTE” that “[p]ersons operating school buses for hire are
taxable under the classification of ‘Service and Other Activities’ of Title II (Business and
Occupation Tax) at the rate of 1/2 of 1% of gross income.” Id.
In 1949, the legislature again amended the PUT “urban transportation business” and
“highway transportation business” definitions. LAWS OF 1949, ch. 228, § 10(i), (j). The Tax
Commission did not revise Rule 180 until 1954, when it deleted the “NOTE” contained in the
1943 rule above and replaced it with the following language:
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No. 49979-7-II
The terms “highway transportation” and “urban transportation” do not include the
business of operating school buses or ambulances, the collection and disposal of
refuse and garbage, or hauling for hire exclusively over public roads. Gross income
from these business must be reported under the “Service and Other Activities”
classifications of the Business and Occupation Tax.
WASH. STATE TAX COMM’N RULES & REGULATIONS, Rule 180 (1954) (emphasis added).
In 1955, the legislature again amended the PUT “highway transportation business”
definition. LAWS OF 1955, ch. 389, § 28(9). Instead of including only motor propelled vehicles
operating as an “auto transportation company, common carrier or contract carrier,” the term as
amended included motor propelled vehicles “by which persons or property are conveyed for
hire.” Id. The statute continued to reference “the operation of any motor propelled vehicle
[operated] as an auto transportation company, . . . common carrier or contract carrier” as
illustrative examples. Id. The legislature made no substantive changes to the definition of
“urban transportation business.”
Once again, the Tax Commission contemporaneously promulgated amended rules that
included various revisions to reflect the legislative amendments. WASH. STATE TAX COMM’N
RULES & REGULATIONS, Rule 180 (1956). Rule 180 provided, in pertinent part, as follows:
The terms [highway transportation and urban transportation] do not include the
business of operating auto wreckers or towing vehicles, school buses, ambulances,
nor the collection and disposal of refuse and garbage. Gross income from these
business must be reported under the “Service and Other Activities” classifications
of the Business and Occupation Tax.
WASH. STATE TAX COMM’N RULES & REGULATIONS, Rule 180 (1956) (emphasis added). In
addition, the Tax Commission revised Rule 224 to include “school bus operators” in its list of
“persons rendering professional or personal services to persons” that are taxable under the “other
business or service activities” B&O tax classification. Id. Since 1956, Rule 180 (WAC 458-
220-180(5)) and Rule 224 (WAC 458-20-224(2)) remain largely unchanged.
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Between 1956 and 2015, the legislature amended the PUT definitions’ section 18 times,
but none of the amendments materially altered the definitions in this case. Two of the
amendments resulted in minor substantive alterations to the definition of “highway transportation
business.” In 1961, the legislature replaced the term “highway transportation business” with
“motor transportation business” and excluded from its application the transportation of logs or
other forest products exclusively upon private roads or private highways. LAWS OF 1961, ch.
293, § 12. In 2015, the legislature amended the term “motor transportation” to exclude the
business of “log transportation,” regardless of whether on private roads or highways. LAWS OF
2015, 3d Spec. Sess., ch. 6, § 702. Although the legislature enacted various changes to the
relevant section of the statute, it has never disturbed the agency’s interpretation that school bus
operators are taxable under the “other business or service activities” B&O tax classification.
Interpretive rules and regulations promulgated by the Department are entitled to great
weight in resolving doubtful meanings of taxing laws, Pringle, 77 Wash. 2d at 573, especially
where the legislature has silently acquiesced in that construction over a long period of time. In
re Sehome Park, 127 Wash. 2d at 778-81. By 2013, the legislature, the Department, and taxpayers
had nearly 80 years of experience with the statute in general and nearly 60 years of experience
with the specific words at issue in this case. During that period of time, the Department and its
predecessor commission interpreted the statutory words by rule to provide that school bus
operators are taxable under the “other business or service activities” B&O tax classification.
Also during that time, the legislature did nothing to upset the agency’s approach. We decline to
disturb that interpretation.
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No. 49979-7-II
With that, we hold that the superior court did not err when it denied First Student’s
motion for summary judgment, granted summary judgment to the Department, and dismissed
First Student’s excise tax refund action.
CONCLUSION
We affirm the superior court’s order denying First Student’s motion for summary
judgment, granting summary judgment to the Department, and dismissing First Student’s excise
tax refund action.
Bjorgen, J.
We concur:
Worswick, P.J.
Sutton, J.
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