HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2956

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 Reported by House Committee On:

Transportation

Title: An act relating to a legislative task force on technology in transportation.

Brief Description: Establishing a legislative task force on technology in transportation.

Sponsors: Representatives Clibborn, Ormsby, Moscoso, Hudgins and Frame.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation: 2/8/16, 2/9/16 [DPS].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Creates a task force on information technology (IT) in transportation, which is charged with assisting policymakers, businesses, and the public to prepare for and develop a transportation system that accommodates an array of IT uses in vehicles and for transportation purposes, generally.

  • Requires the task force to submit a work plan to the Governor and appropriate committees of the Legislature by December 1, 2016, and a final report of recommendations and findings by November 1, 2017.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 25 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Farrell, Vice Chair; Fey, Vice Chair; Moscoso, Vice Chair; Orcutt, Ranking Minority Member; Hargrove, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Harmsworth, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bergquist, Gregerson, Hayes, Hickel, Kochmar, McBride, Moeller, Morris, Ortiz-Self, Pike, Riccelli, Rodne, Rossetti, Sells, Shea, Stambaugh, Tarleton and Young.

Staff: Mark Matteson (786-7145).

Background:

In recent years, there have been significant changes with respect to the use of information technology (IT) in vehicles and for transportation purposes, generally. Several automobile models have been designed with IT functions that assist drivers in the operation of the vehicle, and several business entities are in the process of developing fully automated, self-driving vehicles. A number of IT applications for smart phones and other devices have been designed to assist with navigation and to provide traffic and traveler information. In addition, transit agencies have used IT architectures in deployment of certain transit services, and new transportation economies involving ride-sharing rely extensively on IT systems and applications.

From time to time, the Legislature creates task forces to address the exploration or development of policy. For example, in 2014 the Legislature enacted a Joint Select Task Force on the Economic Resilience of Maritime and Manufacturing (Maritime Task Force) in Washington. The Maritime Task Force was charged with developing recommendations for the short- and long-term to support and sustain the maritime industry and other manufacturing sectors in Washington.

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Summary of Substitute Bill:

A legislative task force on IT in transportation is created. The principal charge of the task force is to assist policymakers, businesses, and the public to prepare for and develop a transportation system that accommodates an array of IT uses, in vehicles and for transportation purposes, generally. More specifically, the task force must:

The membership of the task force includes: three members each from the two largest caucuses in the House of Representatives (House) and from the two largest caucuses in the Senate; and a representative from the Department of Transportation. The Speaker of the House must appoint the House members, and the President of the Senate must appoint the Senate members.

The task force membership must select co-chairs from among its membership: one from the House and one from the Senate. The co-chairs must appoint an advisory committee consisting of representatives from automotive and IT businesses, public sector transportation, local government, academia, and other stakeholder interests to provide technical information and assistance in completing the objectives of the task force.

The task force must submit to the Governor and the appropriate committees of the Legislature a work plan by December 1, 2016, and a final report with findings and recommendations by November 1, 2017.

Staff support for the task force must be provided by Senate Committee Services and by the Office of Program Research. Legislators are to be reimbursed for travel expenses. Expenses of the task force must be shared by the House and Senate equally.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill prohibits the task force from considering or performing work relating to a road usage charge or any mileage-based user fee.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: 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 bill was brought forward after the work session on IT systems in transportation that was held in the Transportation Committee a couple of weeks ago. The issue area is evolving quickly and the Legislature needs to keep up with developments. There is considerable legislative interest in being part of a group that looks at the issue of IT in transportation, both on the Transportation Committee and other committees. The approach is patterned after the Maritime Task Force, since the jurisdiction spans several committees.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Clibborn, prime sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.