SENATE BILL REPORT

                 E2SSB 6499

               As Passed Senate, April 27, 2000

 

Title:  An act relating to transportation funding and appropriations.

 

Brief Description:  Funding transportation.

 

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen, Goings, Gardner and Patterson; by request of Governor Locke).

 

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  34/2000, 3/5/2000 [DPS]; 3/10/2000 [DP2S].

Passed Senate, 3/5/2000, 42-6.

First Special Session:  Passed Senate, 3/10/2000, 26-19.

Second Special Session:  Passed Senate, 4/27/2000, 45-1.

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

 

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6499 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Goings, Vice Chair; Costa, Eide, Heavey, Jacobsen, Patterson, Prentice, T. Sheldon and Shin.

 

Staff:  Brad Lovaas (786-7307)

 

Background:  The transportation budget provides appropriations to the major transportation agencies:  the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Washington State Patrol (WSP), the Department of Licensing (DOL), the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB), and the County Road Administration Board (CRAB).  It also provides appropriations out of transportation funds to many smaller transportation agencies and general government agencies.

 

Summary of Bill:  The 1999-01 transportation budget totaled approximately $4 billion.  Subsequently, Initiative 695 passed in the November 1999 general election.  The 2000 supplemental transportation budget reflects adjustments made as a result of the passage of Initiative 695.

 

For additional information, see the A2000 Supplemental Transportation Budget Highlights@ and the A2000 Supplemental Budget Notes.@

 

Appropriation:  $3.28 billion.

 

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

 

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

 

Testimony For:  In light of the passage of Initiative 695, the Legislature must make tough decisions regarding the transportation budget.  This is a fair budget that treats all transportation agencies equitable.

 

Testimony w/Concerns:  It is not appropriate to pay for the Columbia dredging project with public works assistance account funds.  There are concerns with the restoration of passenger-only ferry service.

 

Testimony Against:  Decreasing the number of employees in particular agencies directly impacts the agencies= ability to serve the public.

 

Testified:  Rick Wickman, Association of Washington Business (pro); Duke Schaub, Associ­ation General Contractors of Washington (pro); Jim Halstrom, Master Builders Associ­ation of King & Snohomish Counties (pro); Enid Layes, American Concrete Association Northwest Chapter (pro); Randy Ray, Puget Sound Steamship Operators Association (pro); Pat Jones, Washington Public Ports Association (pro); Dan Snow, Washington State Transit Association (pro); Steve Lindstrom, C-TRAN (pro); Sid Morrison, Department of Transpor­tation (pro); Mark Brown, City of Vancouver (pro); Jamila Thomas, Washington Federation of State Employees (pro w/concerns); William Maas, Vashon Riders Group (pro w/concerns); Steve Ross, Masters, Mates & Pilots/Inland Boatmens Union/Marine Employees Beneficial Association (pro w/concerns); Ron Main, Sound Transit (pro w/concerns); Alan Darr, State Building Trades (pro w/concerns); Michael Transue, Utility Contractors of Washington (pro w/concerns); Bob Dilger, Washington State Building & Construction Trades Council (pro w/concerns); Joe Daniels, Washington Association of Sewer & Water Districts (pro w/concerns); Liz Lindley, Washington Association of Professional Guardians/Lifetime Advocacy Plus (pro); Steve Lind Traffic Safety Commission (pro); Michael Shaw, Association of Washington Cities (pro); Dick Ducharme, Washington Construction Industry Council (pro); Gene Schlatter, JPI/First & Goal (pro); Gordon Walgren, United Infrastructure/City & Port of Bremerton/CATRALA (pro); Robin Appleford, Volcan NW (pro); Greg Pierce, Port Blakely (pro); Dan Rude, Transportation Improvement Board (pro); Captain Eric Robertson, Washington State Patrol (con); Fred Stephens, Department of Licensing (con); Denise Movius, Department of Licensing (con).