S-4715.1  _______________________________________________

                    SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 8029

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     2000 Regular Session

By Senators Johnson, Benton, Heavey, Horn, Goings, Rossi, Sheahan, Finkbeiner, Oke, T. Sheldon, Hale, Deccio, Eide, Stevens and Rasmussen

Read first time 02/11/2000.  Referred to Committee on Transportation.

Requesting that Congress direct the Secretary of Transportation to provide waivers and assistance for privatization of rest stop and safety areas.

    TO THE HONORABLE WILLIAM J. CLINTON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, AND TO THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION:

    We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

    WHEREAS, Rest stop and safety areas fulfill a vital need for Washington residents; and

    WHEREAS, Budget constraints have made it necessary to consider alternative ways of meeting these needs; and

    WHEREAS, Privatization of rest stop and safety areas provides an alternative method of continuing these services; and

    WHEREAS, Other states have successfully privatized rest stop and safety areas;

    NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that Congress require the United States Secretary of Transportation to waive repayment of any federal-aid highway funds expended on the construction of rest stop and safety areas if the Washington State Secretary of Transportation assures the United States Secretary of Transportation that the privatization of rest stop and safety areas is in the public interest and to work with the Washington State Department of Transportation to obtain waivers, modify policies, and undertake any other necessary steps to facilitate Washington's privatization of rest stop and safety areas.

    BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable William J. Clinton, President of the United States, the Secretary of Transportation, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.

                            --- END ---