HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 HJM 4011

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                       Transportation

Brief Description:  Asking Congress for adoption of the new Federal Surface Transportation Assistance Act by October 1, 1991.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives R. Fisher, R. Meyers, Wilson, Cooper, Schmidt, R. Johnson, Prentice, Wood, Mitchell, Heavey, Chandler, Forner, P. Johnson, Brough, Haugen, Zellinsky, Jones, Kremen, Cantwell, Holland and Anderson.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Transportation, March 4, 1991, DPA.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.  Signed by 27 members:  Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; R. Meyers, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Basich; 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:  Robin Rettew (786-7306).

Background:  The Federal Surface Transportation Act is essentially a multi-year planning document that establishes transportation policies and program directions, and sets spending priorities and levels.

When the 1987 act expires on September 20, 1991, the transportation programs currently funded under the 1987 act will come to an end.  The Highway Trust Fund will also dissolve.

Summary of Amended Bill:  The House Joint Memorial requests the President of the United States, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and members of Congress to adopt a new Federal Surface Transportation Act by October 1, 1991.  The memorial states that the Washington State Legislature endorses the principles developed by the Highway Users Federation and the Washington Transportation Policy Institute.

The principles include:  1) Protecting the Interstate system; 2) creating a national arterial system; 3) restoring metropolitan mobility; 4) connecting rural America; 5) keeping all bridges safe; 6) improving traffic safety; 7) focusing on research; 8) developing scenic/recreational roads; and 9) assuring better planning.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The memorial clarifies that the Washington State Legislature endorses the principles of the Highway Users Federation and the Washington Transportation Policy Institute.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  Requested of Congress by October 1, 1991.

Testimony For:  The state Highway Users Federation and the Washington Transportation Policy Institute have both worked diligently to develop a comprehensive, coordinated, statewide consensus on the principles and directions of the next Surface Transportation Act.

Testimony Against:  There are many transportation groups besides the highway lobbyists whose views are not represented in this proposal.

Witnesses:  Dick Goldsmith, Washington State Transit Association (pro); Bruce Olsen, Highway Users Federation (pro); Douglas DeForest, Washington Transportation Policy Institute (pro); and Chris Leman, Institution for Transportation and the Environment (con).