SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SHB 2939

         AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, FEBRUARY 25, 1992

Brief Description:  Developing a public transportation policy plan.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives R. Fisher, Prentice, Wood, Day, Paris, Basich, Nelson and Haugen)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

      Signed by Senators Patterson, Chairman; Nelson, Vice Chairman; von Reichbauer, Vice Chairman; Barr, Conner, W. Hansen, Madsen, Oke, Sellar, Snyder, Thorsness, and Vognild.

Staff:  Judy Burns (786‑7301)

Hearing Dates: February 25, 1992

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:

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.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested January 30, 1992

TESTIMONY FOR:  None

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  No one