HOUSE BILL REPORT

                      HB 2939

                     As Reported By House Committee on:

                               Transportation

Title:  An act relating to development of a public transportation policy plan.

Brief Description:  Developing a public transportation policy plan.

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

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.

One recommendation addressed the fact that while transit service is essentially a local government responsibility in Washington, there is a significant state interest in assuring that viable transit service is available throughout the state.  Recent legislative enactments such as growth management and transportation demand management emphasize that state interest.  Currently, there is no requirement for a state-level transit plan to guide local transit agencies.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Department of Transportation is directed to develop a state transit plan as part of an overall statewide transportation plan.  The transit plan must articulate the state interest in transit, identify goals and the agencies responsible for achieving each of them, recommend ways to better coordinate transit planning, recommend mechanisms to coordinate transit with other transportation services, recommend funding allocation criteria for state transit accounts, and recommend the facilities and equipment management system required by federal law.

In developing the plan the department must involve interested parties including public and private transit providers, cities, counties and other state agencies.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Technical changes are made for clarity, and to provide consistency with other pending legislation.

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 statewide goals for transit and other elements of the plan will provide better tools by which transit systems throughout the state can plan, and be accountable.

Testimony Against:  None.

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