HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2940

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                       Transportation

Title:  An act relating to land use patterns in transit plans.

Brief Description:  Articulating desirable land use patterns in transit plans.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives R. Fisher, Wood, Prentice, Day, Paris and Nelson.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Transportation, February 4, 1992, DPS.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: The substitute bill 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; Brough; 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:  Judy Burns (786-7301).

Background:  Over the past 18 months, the Legislative Transportation Committee conducted a comprehensive policy review of transit systems in the state.  The final study report made a number of recommendations aimed at improving the governance, financing administration and planning of transit.

Two of the recommendations related to the comprehensive plans prepared by transit agencies, the reporting of operating and financial data to the Department of Transportation and to the Federal Transit Administration (formerly UMTA), and the reporting of that information by the department to the Legislature. 

Currently, there are inconsistencies in the law regarding items to be included in the initial plan when a transit system is established, the items to be included in annual updates of six-year plans, and the manner by which financial data is reported.  Also, there is no explicit requirement for transit agencies to communicate to the cities and counties within which they operate the kinds of land use patterns which foster efficient transit service.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Requirements for the six-year transit development plans (TDPs) prepared by transit agencies are clarified, and the format revised, for reports submitted beginning June 1, 1993.  A requirement is added that the TDP address types of land use patterns in the service area, how those patterns affect transit services, and how transit service and land use compatibility can be enhanced through coordination with city and county land use planning efforts.

Clarification is provided that the annual transit report prepared by the Department of Transportation for the Legislature will be derived from transit agency transit development plans.  A requirement is added that the department's report shall address progress made toward meeting state transit goals, policies and emphasis areas. 

Responsibility for approval of initial TDPs, prepared by newly formed public transportation benefit areas or county transportation authorities, is shifted from the Transportation Commission to the Department of Transportation.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill contains only the provisions related to transit systems articulating desirable land use patterns.  In the substitute, the more comprehensive revisions to the transit development plans are incorporated in order to provide consistency and eliminate duplication of requirements.

Fiscal Note:  Requested January 30, 1992.

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

Testimony For:  The revised format for transit development plans will result in better accountability, and in more consistent data for annual transit reports to the Legislature.  The specific identification of desirable land use patterns by transit agencies will assure better communication between transit agencies and the cities and counties in which they operate.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Les White, C-Tran; Don Monroe, Pierce Transit; and Richard Hayes, Kitsap Transit.