HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1771

                    As Passed Legislature

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

Brief Description:  Changing transportation authority of first class cities.

Sponsor(s):  By House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by 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;

Passed House, March 18, 1991, 98-0;

Amended by Senate;

House concurred;

Passed Legislature, 95-0.

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 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 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 exercise those same powers concerning a railway into an adjoining county with a population between 40,000 and 125,000 and which is intersected by an interstate highway.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  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.