SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1189

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 Senate Committee On:

Transportation, March 20, 2019

Title: An act relating to ferry system performance measures.

Brief Description: Concerning ferry system performance measures.

Sponsors: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Fitzgibbon, Young, Cody, Caldier and Ortiz-Self).

Brief History: Passed House: 3/01/19, 79-16.

Committee Activity: Transportation: 3/18/19, 3/20/19 [DP, w/oRec].

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires the Washington State Department of Transportation to recommend additional performance measures for the ferry system.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Hobbs, Chair; Saldaña, Vice Chair; King, Ranking Member; Cleveland, Das, Nguyen, O'Ban, Randall, Takko, Wilson, C. and Zeiger.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.

Signed by Senators Fortunato, Lovelett and Padden.

Staff: Hayley Gamble (786-7452)

Background: In 2011, as part of broad legislation addressing ferry system finance, the Legislature established an ad-hoc committee to create performance targets for Washington State Ferries (WSF) and required an annual report on progress meeting the targets. The legislation included a specific list of performance areas for the committee to address, such as safety of passengers, service effectiveness, cost containment measures, and capital project delivery.

The ad-hoc committee was also authorized to develop additional performance measures. In its annual report, the WSF provides data on the statutorily required service effectiveness measures relating to passenger satisfaction with customer service, cleanliness, and service requests. The WSF also collects and reports information about on-time performance and service reliability

Summary of Bill: The Washington State Department of Transportation, Ferries Division, is directed to recommend performance measures to the House and Senate transportation committees by January 15, 2020.

The recommended performance measures:

The department must consult with ferry advisory committees, employees, commuters, elected officials, transit experts, long-range plan advisory members, and the public when developing the performance measures.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: We would like to work with WSF to come up with appropriate performance measures. We look forward to finding out more information as we work with WSF.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Rick Hughes, San Juan County.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.