SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   ESHB 1231

          AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, APRIL 18, 1991

Brief Description:  Adopting the 1991‑93 transportation budget.

SPONSORS: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

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Patterson, Chairman; Nelson, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Barr, Conner, Erwin, Hansen, Madsen, McMullen, Oke, Snyder, Thorsness, and Vognild.

Minority Report:  Do not pass as amended.

      Signed by Senator Skratek.

Staff:  Gene Schlatter (786‑7316)

Hearing Dates:April 18, 1991

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.  In addition to technical changes, the bill increases planning efforts for regional high capacity transportation, provides for additional funding for category A, C and H construction.

Appropriation:  yes

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect July 1, 1991.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The striking amendment incorporates numerous adjustments as reflected on the Legislative Transportation Committee budget spreadsheets.

TESTIMONY FOR:

The appropriations are necessary to fund the transportation agencies' operating budgets and capital improvement programs for the 1991-93 biennium.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

The state should be concerned about getting more value for each dollar it spends.

TESTIFIED:  Duane Berentson, Department of Transportation (pro); Jim Clemen, Department of Transportation (pro); Mary Faulk, Department of Licensing (pro); George Tellevik, Washington State Patrol (pro); and Paul W. Locke, citizen (con)