HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2618

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                       Transportation

Title:  An act relating to state highway routes.

Brief Description:  Adding ferry water routes to the state highway system.

Sponsors:  Representatives Schmidt, Zellinsky, Wood, Johanson, Sheldon, Talcott and J. Kohl.

Brief History:

Reported by House Committee on:

Transportation, January 27, 1994, DPS.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 24 members:  Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; Brown, Vice Chair; Jones, Vice Chair; Schmidt, Ranking Minority Member; Mielke, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Backlund; Brough; Brumsickle; Cothern; Eide; Finkbeiner; Forner; Fuhrman; Hansen; Heavey; Johanson; J. Kohl; Patterson; Quall; Romero; Sheldon; Shin; Wood; and Zellinsky.

Staff:  Vicki Fabre (786-7313).

Background:  The 18th Amendment (Article 2, Section 40) to the state constitution provides that the highway purposes for which motor vehicle fuel tax and license fees may be used include, "the operation of ferries which are part of any public highway, county road or city street."  However, current statutes which list and describe state highways omit the water portion of the highway system.

The incorporation of existing ferry route descriptions into statutes describing state highway routes could enhance the state's ability and opportunity to qualify for federal funds under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991.

Additionally, the statutory inclusion of state ferry routes in the state highway system is needed to clarify the State Patrol's authority to provide law enforcement service at ferry terminals and on vessels.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Washington State ferry water routes are added to the state highway system.

A provision is added to clarify that a current statute providing for a rebate of motor vehicle fuel tax and license fees to island counties that have no state highways or physical connections to the mainland (i.e., San Juan County) is not affected by adding the Anacortes/San Juan Islands water route to the state highway system.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  A provision is added to clarify that a current statute providing for a rebate of motor vehicle fuel tax and license fees to island counties that have no state highways or physical connections to the mainland (i.e., San Juan County) is not affected by adding the Anacortes/San Juan Islands water route to the state highway system.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The inclusion of existing ferry routes into statutes that describe state highway routes could enhance the state ferry system's ability to qualify for federal funds under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991.

Additionally, the incorporation of state ferry routes in the state highway system is needed to clarify the State Patrol's authority to provide traffic control and law enforcement services at ferry terminals and on vessels.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Brian Ziegler, Department of Transportation; Tim Erickson, Washington State Patrol; Dan Davis, Washington State Troopers Association; and Ben Dysart, Washington State Ferry Riders Coalition.