SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SHB 1276

                     AS OF MARCH 25, 1993

Brief Description:  Developing a public transportation policy plan.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives R. Fisher, Schmidt, R. Meyers, Brown, Jones, Johanson, Cothern, J. Kohl, Horn and Wood; by request of Department of Transportation)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff:  Gene Baxstrom (786‑7303)

Hearing Dates: April 1, 1993

BACKGROUND:

In December 1991 the Legislative Transportation Committee completed an 18-month comprehensive policy review of transit systems in the state.  The final study report made a number of recommendations aimed at improving the governance, financing, administration and planning of transit.

One recommendation addressed the fact that while transit service is essentially a local government responsibility in Washington, there is significant state interest in assuring that viable transit service is available throughout the state.  Recent legislative enactments such as growth management and transportation demand management emphasize that state interest.

At the federal level the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991 requires that transit projects funded with federal transit funds be included in a state transportation improvement program (TIP) and a public transportation management system be developed by the state in cooperation with regional and local public transportation agencies.

Currently, there is no state requirement for a state-level transit plan to guide local transit agencies.  During the last several years, the Washington State Department of Transportation has established an extensive state transportation policy planning effort.  Last year a subcommittee of this group was formed to address the state's goals for public transportation.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Transportation is directed to develop a state public transportation plan as part of an overall statewide transportation plan.  The public transportation plan must articulate the state interest in public transportation, identify goals and the agencies responsible for achieving each of them, recommend ways to better coordinate public transportation planning, recommend mechanisms to coordinate public transportation with other transportation services, recommend funding allocation criteria for federal funds, and recommend the facilities and equipment management system required by federal law.

In developing the plan the department must involve interested parties, including public and private providers of public transportation, non-motorized interests, cities, counties and other state agencies.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available