FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1928

                         C 158 L 94

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Providing for more comprehensive regional transportation planning.

By House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives R. Fisher, Quall, Locke, Roland and Johanson).

House Committee on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:  The 1990 Growth Management Act authorized the creation of regional transportation planning organizations (RTPOs) through the voluntary association of local governments. 

An RTPO must include, at minimum, at least one county; at least 100,000 in population or include three counties; and have as members all counties within the region and 60 percent of the cities within the region, representing at least 75 percent of the city population.

The objective of RTPOs is to enhance transportation planning both within a county and among counties.  Specifically, RTPO duties are:  (1) to develop, adopt and keep current a regional transportation plan that is consistent with county and city comprehensive plans; and (2) to certify that the transportation elements of local comprehensive plans conform with statutory requirements and are consistent with regional plans. 

Regional transportation plans must address facilities and services which cross county lines, or which impact or are impacted by activities in other counties.  Each RTPO must create a policy board consisting of representatives of major employers, member cities and counties, transit agencies, port districts and the Department of Transportation to assist in policy development. 

To date, 14 RTPOs have been formed, including 38 of the state's 39 counties.  State financial and technical support is provided to assist with the effort of carrying out RTPO duties.

Summary:  The duties of regional transportation planning organizations (RTPOs) are expanded to require: (1) preparation and adoption of a regional transportation strategy for the region, including addressing alternative transportation modes in regional corridors; and (2) in cooperation with affected jurisdictions, development of a six-year regional transportation improvement program which proposes regionally significant transportation projects and programs, including priorities and financing plans.  RTPOs must also certify that the transportation elements of local comprehensive plans and, where appropriate, the countywide planning policies adopted under the Growth Management Act and the regional transportation plan are consistent with each other.

By July 1, 1995, RTPOs must develop guidelines and principles that provide specific direction for the development and evaluation of the transportation elements of comprehensive plans and assure that state, regional and local goals are met.  These guidelines are to be developed in cooperation with cities, towns and counties.  Local comprehensive plans must follow these guidelines, and then they must be certified by RTPOs by December 31, 1996.

The elements of the plan concerning the facilities and transportation programs which must be addressed are expanded.  New plan elements are added:  (1) a financial component addressing existing and prospective resources; (2) assessment of development patterns and their impact on transportation; (3) a regional transportation approach; and (4) where appropriate, the relationship among transit providers, including high capacity transit services.

The six-year street and road programs developed by cities and by counties respectively, are to address transportation.  Each program is required to specifically set forth the most cost-effective projects and programs of regional significance, including transportation demand management alternatives, which are to be included in the regional transportation improvement program.  The six-year plan also addresses how the local government will act to preserve railroad right of way if railroad operations cease.

Similarly, the six-year transit financial plans must incorporate a development program for transit and specifically set forth those projects of regional significance to be included in transportation improvement programs within the region. 

RTPOs must develop level of service standards for at least all state highways and state ferry routes.  The Legislative Transportation Committee is required to coordinate a comprehensive study on the appropriate relationship between state transportation facilities and local comprehensive plans.  Steering committee membership, study requirements and reporting dates are identified.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  97 0

Senate 44 2 (Senate amended)

House  96 0 (House concurred)

Effective:  July 1, 1994