SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SHB 1816

         AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, FEBRUARY 26, 1992

Brief Description:  Providing for transportation planning.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Nelson, R. Fisher, Cantwell, Betrozoff, Heavey, Phillips and Prentice)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. 

      Signed by Senators Patterson, Chairman; Nelson, Vice Chairman; von Reichbauer, Vice Chairman; Erwin, Madsen, McMullen, Oke, Skratek, and Snyder.

Staff:  Roger Horn (786‑7839)

Hearing Dates: February 26, 1992

BACKGROUND:

The statutory criteria used by the County Road Administration Board and the Transportation Improvement Board, and the statutory planning requirements of the Department of Transportation do not reflect many of the goals and objectives established in the Growth Management Act and the 1990-91 Transportation Policy Plan.

The new federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) identifies several elements that each state must include in its transportation planning process in order to qualify for federal transportation funding.

SUMMARY:

A new chapter is created in Title 47 defining state transportation planning requirements for the Department of Transportation.  These plans must reflect the policies in the state Transportation Policy Plan and federal planning requirements contained in ISTEA, and must be consistent with local and regional plans.  The DOT plans are divided into two categories:  (1) a state-owned facilities component which includes plans for state highways, including preservation, operational and capacity improvements, bicycle facilities, and scenic and recreational highways, and the ferry system; and (2) a state interest component which includes plans for statewide coordination of aviation, marine ports, freight rail, intercity passenger rail, bicycle transportation and pedestrian walkways, and transit.  The state highways plans are to be used as the basis for programming of highway construction projects.

The criteria for selection of rural arterial, urban arterial, and transportation improvement account projects are amended to require cities and counties to evaluate projects based on:  (a) their ability to move people and goods (rather than vehicles); (b) their consistency with regional transportation plans and local comprehensive plans; (c) their consistency with state, regional, and local transit plans; and (d) their consistency with state, regional, and local freight plans. Existing criteria regarding safety and structural considerations are not changed.

Enhancements to the Department of Transportation's annual transit reports are identified.  Citizens or citizen organizations are allowed to be represented on the transportation policy boards that provide policy advice to regional transportation planning organizations.   

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

A requirement is added that the Traffic Safety Commission develop a statewide traffic safety plan.

TESTIMONY FOR:  None

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Representative Dick Nelson, prime sponsor