SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5471

                            AS OF FEBRUARY 11, 1991

Brief Description:  Requiring the department of general administration to develop and implement a comprehensive transportation and parking program.

SPONSORS:Senators McCaslin, Madsen, Cantu, Williams, L. Kreidler and Amondson; by request of Department of General Administration.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

Staff:  Barbara Howard (786‑7410)

Hearing Dates:February 14, 1991

BACKGROUND:

The Department of General Administration (GA) has authority to control traffic and regulate parking on the state capitol grounds and the east capitol campus site, but not at leased facilities elsewhere in the county or state.  A 1989 work group recommended a number of changes to improve parking and transportation management.  A 1990 statute (HB 2802, C 206 L 90) was adopted, but funding was not approved.  Therefore, the measure became null and void at the end of the fiscal year.

SUMMARY:

The general purpose is to give the Department of General Administration (GA) authority to develop parking and transportation management programs, ensure improved access to state offices by customers, employees, and visitors, and promote alternatives to the single-occupant automobile.

The director of GA is given the following responsibilities:

oDevelop and implement a comprehensive state agency transportation and parking management program, in consultation with state agencies, employees, businesses, and local and regional governments;

oImplement alternatives to the single-occupant automobile;

oProvide transportation and parking criteria in developing new or renovated state facilities;

oEstablish standards for the management and allocation of parking spaces, including a system of rates;

oEstablish an operational unit in the department to carry out these responsibilities; and

oDelegate these responsibilities to other agencies when deemed advisable.

Revenues from parking fees on the capitol campus must first be applied to debt service for revenue bonds issued for parking facilities and office buildings constructed with state funds.  Any revenue above that needed for debt service, and any fees from parking facilities away from the capitol campus go to the newly created transportation and parking management account.  Monies in the account must be used for operation and administration of transportation and parking programs administered by GA or other state agencies as part of the overall program.  Revenues collected for similar programs administrated by other agencies must be applied to the program for which they were collected.

A further finding is that on-street and commercial parking for state employees and the public is becoming less available.  While it is not desirable for GA to provide free parking to state employees, the more parking available to employees, the more on-street and commercial parking is available to the public.  Establishing zoned parking increased spaces available for employee parking.  The sales tax charge which resulted from the change to zoned parking is removed.

The original provision creating the state capitol vehicle account and assigning parking responsibility to GA is repealed.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested February 1, 1991

Effective Date:  July 1, 1991