SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 1928
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, FEBRUARY 22, 1994
Brief Description: Providing for more comprehensive regional transportation planning.
SPONSORS: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives R. Fisher, Quall, Locke, Roland and Johanson)
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.
Signed by Senators Vognild, Chairman; Loveland, Vice Chairman; Skratek, Vice Chairman; Drew, Haugen, Morton, Oke, Prentice, Prince, M. Rasmussen, Schow, Sheldon and Winsley.
Staff: Brian McMorrow (786‑7304)
Hearing Dates: March 22, 1993; March 30, 1993; February 16, 1994; February 22, 1994
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: a) to develop, adopt and keep current a regional transportation plan that is consistent with county and city comprehensive plans; and b) 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: (a) preparation and adoption of a regional transportation strategy for the region, including addressing alternative transportation modes in regional corridors; and (b) 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.
RTPOs must develop by July 1, 1995 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.
More specificity is added to the elements of regional transportation plans concerning the facilities and transportation programs which must be addressed in such a plan. New plan elements are added, including: (a) a financial component addressing existing and prospective resources; (b) assessment of development patterns and their impact on transportation; (c) a regional transportation approach; and (d) where appropriate the relationship among transit providers, including high capacity transit services.
The six-year street programs developed by cities and the six-year road program developed by counties 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 shall also address 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. Membership for a steering committee, study requirements and reporting dates are identified.
Technical amendments are included that duplicate changes made in SHB 2707. That bill, in part, eliminates a planning requirement for the Transportation Improvement Board that is no longer necessary because of work now being performed by Regional Transportation Planning Organizations under the Growth Management Act.
The emergency clause is eliminated and the previous effective date is updated by one year.
Sections of statute are recodified.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: available
TESTIMONY FOR:
The role of RTPOs is better defined in relationship to local comprehensive planning and the planning efforts of various parties are better coordinated. More guidance for objectives of RTPOs is provided.
TESTIMONY AGAINST: None
TESTIFIED: Dave Williams, Assn. of Washington Cities; Curt Eschels, Assn. of Washington Counties; Charlie Howard, DOT