HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1277

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                       Transportation

Title:  An act relating to transit development plans.

Brief Description:  Articulating desirable land use patterns in transit plans.

Sponsors:  Representatives R. Fisher, Schmidt, R. Meyers, Brown, Jones, Johanson, Horn, Wood and Dunshee; by request of Department of Transportation.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Transportation, February 22, 1993, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 27 members:  Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; Brown, Vice Chair; Jones, Vice Chair; Schmidt, Ranking Minority Member; Mielke, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Brough; Brumsickle; Cothern; Eide; Finkbeiner; Forner; Fuhrman; Hansen; Heavey; Horn; Johanson; J. Kohl; R. Meyers; Miller; H. Myers; Orr; Patterson; Quall; Sheldon; Shin; Wood; and Zellinsky.

Staff:  Gene Baxstrom (786-7303).

Background:  In December 1991 the Legislative Transportation Committee completed an 18-month comprehensive policy review of transit systems in the state.

Two study recommendations related to the comprehensive plans prepared by transit agencies, the reporting of operation and financial data to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and to the Federal Transit Administration (formerly UMTA), and the reporting of that information by the department to the Legislature.

Each year public transportation agencies are required to submit to the DOT by April 1 a six-year transit development and financial program.  Currently, state law is not consistent regarding items to be included in annual updates of six-year programs, the manner by which financial data is reported and the items to be included in the initial plan when a transit system is established.  Also, there is no explicit requirement for transit agencies to communicate to the cities and counties within which they operate the kinds of land use patterns which foster efficient transit service.

Summary of Bill:  Requirements for the six-year transit development plans (TDPs) prepared by transit agencies are modified, and the format revised for reports submitted annually, beginning June 1, 1994.  A requirement is added that the TDP become a six-year comprehensive plan to at least address (1) types of land use patterns in the service area, (2) how those patterns affect transit services, and (3) how transit service and land use compatibility can be enhanced through coordination with city and county land use planning efforts.  The plan must also address statewide transit goals, policies and emphasize areas contained in the state transportation policy plan.  The Department of Transportation (DOT) is to determine the format for the plan in consultation with the affected municipalities and the Legislative Transportation Committee.

Clarification is provided that the annual transit report prepared by the DOT for the Legislature will be derived from transit agency transit development plans.  A requirement is added that the report address activities aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of transit services.

Responsibility for approval of initial TDPs, prepared by newly formed public transportation benefit areas or county transportation authorities, is shifted from the Transportation Commission to the DOT.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Transit planning will be better integrated with city and county planning.  The state transit report will be more useful.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Jim Toohey, Department of Transportation; Hugh Mose, Washington State Transit Association; and Gary Molyneaux, C-Tran, Spokane Transit, Pierce Transit and METRO.