HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2918

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 11, 2010

Title: An act relating to removing state route number 908 from the state highway system.

Brief Description: Removing state route number 908 from the state highway system.

Sponsors: Representatives Eddy, Clibborn, Hunter and Maxwell; by request of Wa. St. Transportation Commission.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation: 1/26/10 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/11/10, 97-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Transfers State Route 908 to the cities of Redmond and Kirkland.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 26 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Liias, Vice Chair; Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Rodne, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Armstrong, Campbell, Dickerson, Driscoll, Eddy, Ericksen, Finn, Flannigan, Herrera, Johnson, Klippert, Kristiansen, Nealey, Rolfes, Sells, Shea, Simpson, Springer, Takko, Upthegrove, Williams and Wood.

Staff: Christie Parker (786-7322).

Background:

A route jurisdiction transfer is the conversion of a state highway to a local road or the conversion of a local road to a state highway. From 1991 to 2008, the Transportation Improvement Board received and reviewed these transfer requests. In 2009 review of these requests was transferred to the Washington State Transportation Commission (Transportation Commission). If the Transportation Commission agrees that the request meets the criteria established in state law, the Transportation Commission forwards a recommendation for the transfer to the House and Senate Transportation Committees.

Originally, State Route (SR) 908 extended west of Interstate 405 through downtown Kirkland and then south along Lake Washington to intersect SR 520. This portion of SR 908 was transferred from the state to the City of Kirkland in 1992, resulting in the portion left today. On January 26, 2009, the cities of Redmond and Kirkland jointly submitted a request to transfer the remaining 3.14 miles of SR 908 from the state to the cities.

In addition to requesting the route transfer, the cities are requesting $4 million to repair the pavement on SR 908. The majority of these funds ($3.3 million) are included in the Washington State Department of Transportation's budget plan for 2011-13; the remaining funds are included in the 2009-11 budget.

Summary of Bill:

The bill transfers SR 908 to the cities of Kirkland and Redmond.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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) This is a "feel good" bill. State Route 908 has become highly urbanized and busy. The cities request $4 million to avoid an unfunded mandate to re-pave the road. The new asphalt will have a 20-year life. The state will not have to pay for future maintenance costs since the road will be maintained by the cities. Transfer of this route is in the state's best interest and will benefit the community as well as local businesses.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Eddy, prime sponsor; Doug Levy, City of Redmond; Carol Moser, Washington State Transportation Commission; and Ray Steiger, City of Kirkland.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.