FINAL BILL REPORT

ESSB 5024

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.

PARTIAL VETO

C 306 L 13

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Making transportation appropriations for the 2011-2013 and 2013-2015 fiscal biennia.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators King, Eide and McAuliffe; by request of Governor Gregoire).

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committee on Transportation

Background: The operating and capital expenses of state transportation agencies and programs are funded on a biennial basis by an omnibus transportation budget adopted by the Legislature in odd-numbered years. Additionally, supplemental budgets may be adopted during the biennium, making various modifications to agency appropriations.

Summary: Appropriations are made for state transportation agencies and programs for the 2013-15 fiscal biennium. Additionally, the 2011-13 biennial appropriations for various transportation agencies and programs are modified. For additional information, see the budget summary materials published by the Senate Transportation Committee that are available on the internet at http://www.leg.wa.gov/Senate/Committees/TRAN/Pages.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate	47	0
House	72	25	(House amended)
Senate	46	1	(Senate concurred)

Effective:	May 20, 2013
	June 30, 2013 (Section 709 - Contingent)
	July 1, 2013 (Section 702)

Partial Veto Summary: The Governor vetoed 15 sections or parts of sections (appropriation items) in the biennial transportation appropriations act. The effect was to remove certain directive language concerning:

moving the traffic safety prosecutor program from the Washington State Patrol to the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys;
traffic control signing issues between the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and the City of Kenmore;
study of wood guardrails;
reporting of public or private entity mitigation payments;
reporting of change order details on transportation projects; and
transitioning WSDOT to using state motor pool vehicles managed by the Department of Enterprise Services.

The veto also removed the following appropriation items and attendant language:

the Columbia River Crossing project resulting in a reduction of $81 million dollars to WSDOT;
annual independent audits on the State Route 520 toll bridge and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge resulting in a reduction of $240 thousand dollars to WSDOT; and
the 2011-13 supplemental appropriations for the highway improvement and preservation programs and the ferry construction program are reverted back to the 2012 levels.

For more information please refer to the Governor's veto message: