HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1037

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed House:

February 13, 2009

Title: An act relating to designating state route number 164 as a highway of statewide significance.

Brief Description: Designating state route number 164 as a highway of statewide significance.

Sponsors: Representatives Hurst, Sullivan, Roach and Simpson.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation: 1/20/09, 1/22/09 [DP].

Floor Activity

Passed House: 2/13/09, 95-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Designates State Route 164 as a highway of statewide significance.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 25 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Liias, Vice Chair; Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Rodne, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Armstrong, Campbell, Driscoll, Eddy, Ericksen, Finn, Flannigan, Herrera, Johnson, Klippert, Moeller, Morris, Rolfes, Sells, Shea, Simpson, Springer, Takko, Upthegrove, Wallace and Wood.

Staff: Christie Parker (786-7322)

Background:

An element of statewide transportation planning includes identifying significant state-owned transportation facilities. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) plans for improvements to highways of statewide significance in the statewide multimodal transportation plan. The WSDOT is responsible for establishing levels of service standards for highways of statewide significance. State highways of significance are considered essential public facilities and are therefore exempt from concurrency requirements of the Growth Management Act.

A route development plan for State Route 164 is being developed and the final plan should be released in winter 2009. A list of improvements has been published but detailed cost estimates have not been released. The WSDOT website indicates that the total cost of the improvements, if built today, would be well in excess of $200 million.

Summary of Bill:

State Route 164, which begins at the junction of State Route 18 in the vicinity of Auburn and runs southeasterly to the junction of State Route 410 at Enumclaw, is designated a highway of statewide significance.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The House has passed this legislation for at least the past six years. Local legislators have significant interest in seeing this move forward.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Hurst, prime sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.