FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 2618

                         C 209 L 94

                     Synopsis as Enacted

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

By House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Schmidt, Zellinsky, Wood, Johanson, Sheldon, Talcott and J. Kohl).

House Committee on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:  The 18th Amendment to the state constitution provides that the 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:  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.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  91 0

Senate 49 0

Effective:  June 9, 1994