SENATE BILL REPORT

 

                            HB 1942

 

  AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, MARCH 25, 1993

 

 

Brief Description:  Facilitating state‑wide transportation planning.

 

SPONSORS: Representatives R. Fisher, Quall, Locke 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, Nelson, Prentice, Prince, M. Rasmussen, Sellar, Sheldon, and Winsley.

 

Staff:  Roger Horn (786‑7839)

 

Hearing Dates: March 22, 1993; March 25, 1993

 

 

BACKGROUND:

 

RCW 36.70A.200 allows for the identification of facilities of statewide significance that may be defined as essential public facilities.  City and county comprehensive plans must include a process for identifying and siting essential public facilities, and local comprehensive plans and development regulations may not preclude the siting of essential public facilities. 

 

Among the essential public facilities identified in statute are airports and state or regional transportation facilities.  However, no process is in place for determining which airports and transportation facilities are to be considered essential public facilities.

 

SUMMARY:

 

Transportation facilities and services of statewide significance are identified.  Any improvements to transportation facilities and services of statewide significance included in the statewide multimodal transportation plan shall be considered essential public facilities under RCW 36.70A.200.

 

The Department of Transportation, in cooperation with cities, ports, transit agencies, regional transportation planning organizations, and the Department of Community Development, shall make recommendations as to any other transportation facilities and services of statewide significance that may be identified as essential public facilities.  In developing the recommendations, the siting of airports and water ports must be considered.  Recommendations must be submitted to the Legislature by December 15, 1993.

 

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

 

The section requiring the Department of Transportation in cooperation with other agencies to develop recommendations regarding additional transportation facilities and services of statewide significance is removed.

 

Appropriation:  none

 

Revenue:  none

 

Fiscal Note:  none requested

 

TESTIMONY FOR:

 

The identification of essential public facilities related to transportation is an important state function that is appropriately addressed in the statewide multimodal transportation plan.  Having a process to identify, site, and improve transportation facilities and services of statewide significance will help the state to develop an intermodal transportation system.

 

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

 

TESTIFIED:  Charles Howard, Dept. of Transportation; Pat Jones, Scott Taylor, WA Public Ports Assn. (pro with concerns); Dave Williams, Assn. of WA Cities