HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1771

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                       Transportation

Title:  An act relating to transportation facilities of first class cities.

Brief Description:  Changing transportation authority of first class cities.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Rasmussen, R. Fisher, Dorn, Brumsickle, Betrozoff, Basich, Cantwell, Fraser, R. Meyers, Belcher and Ebersole.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Transportation, March 4, 1991, DPS.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: That Substitute House Bill No. 1771 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 26 members:  Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; R. Meyers, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Basich; Cantwell; Cooper; Day; G. Fisher; Forner; Haugen; Heavey; Horn; P. Johnson; R. Johnson; Jones; Kremen; Mitchell; Nelson; Orr; Prentice; Prince; Schmidt; Wilson; Wood; and Zellinsky.

Staff:  Gene Baxstrom (786-7303).

Background:  Cities are granted numerous powers associated with acquiring and operating transportation systems within the city corporate boundaries.  These powers are to construct, condemn and purchase, purchase, acquire, add to, alter, maintain, and operate various forms and methods of transportation.

In 1990 first class cities were authorized to operate such forms and methods of transportation beyond the corporate limits of the city but within the county within which the city is located.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The transportation modes which a first class city may operate beyond its corporate boundaries but within the county in which the city is located are limited to railways.  Extended to first class cities operating such railways are those same powers to construct, purchase, add to, alter, maintain or lease which cities currently have within their own boundaries.  A first class city is authorized to operate such railways into an adjoining county with a population between 40,000 and 125,000 and which is intersected by an interstate highway.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Additional operating authority is provided for first class cities outside their corporate limits, but that authority is restricted to railways.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This measure would authorize the city of Tacoma to own and maintain a rail line into Lewis County.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Bob Mack, City of Tacoma; and Jim Shanafelt, Department of Transportation.