FINAL BILL REPORT

                     ESHB 1231

PARTIAL VETO

                                C 15 L 91 E1

Brief Description:  Relating to the transportation budget.

By House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives R. Fisher, R. Meyers, Betrozoff and Paris; by request of Office of Financial Management).

House Committee on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:  The Legislature must make biennial appropriations for each agency's operating budget and capital improvements.  The transportation budget provides funding for the agencies and programs supported by transportation revenues.

Summary:  The state transportation agencies' Omnibus Capital and Operating Appropriations Act for the 1991-93 fiscal biennium is enacted.  The total appropriation for transportation agencies is $2,552,114.  For the Department of Transportation, the appropriation provides $15 million additional funding for HOV lane construction along with enhancements in the programs for highway preservatory bridges and capacity improvements.  New funding was included for Amtrack and rail preservation, and environmental projects as well as planning and support for local governments.

The Washington State Patrol received an additional 60 troopers and the Safety Education Program ("Trooper Bob") was funded for the first fiscal year of the 1991-93 biennium.

The Traffic Safety Commission received an appropriation of $900,000 to continue the DWI task forces.  The Department of Financing will be able to increase staffing at the driver examination offices.

Votes on Final Passage:

House 93    2

Senate   38    8     (Senate amended)

House             (House refused to concur)

First Special Session

House 93    0

Senate   39    1     (Senate amended)

House 90    1     (House concurred)

Effective:     July 1, 1991

Partial Veto Summary:  The governor vetoed several provisos in the budget bill.  Among those vetoed was one which eliminated language which would have reduced the number of occupants in vehicles using High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes from three to two.