HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1567

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                       Transportation

Title:  An act relating to the transportation authority of first class cities.

Brief Description:  Affecting the transportation authority of first class cities.

Sponsors:  Representatives R. Fisher, Regala, Chappell and Brumsickle.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Transportation:  2/13/95, 2/15/95 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 23 members:  Representatives K. Schmidt, Chairman; Benton, Vice Chairman; Mitchell, Vice Chairman; Skinner, Vice Chairman; R. Fisher, Ranking Minority Member; Hatfield, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Backlund; Buck; Cairnes; Chandler; Elliot; Hankins; Horn; Johnson; Koster; McMahan; Ogden; Patterson; Quall; Robertson; Romero; D. Schmidt and Scott.

Staff:  Jeff Doyle (786-7322).

Background:  Under current law, first class cities are authorized to exercise their powers relative to railways (such as owning, constructing, and operating) throughout the county in which they are located, and into adjoining counties, so long as the adjoining county has a population between 40,000 and 125,000 and is intersected by an interstate highway.

Summary of Bill:  For cities owning railway extending beyond their own county, the requirement that the adjoining county have a certain population and be intersected by an interstate highway is removed.  The result is that first class cities may maintain railways beyond the boundaries of their county and into any other adjoining county.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This bill will enable the city of Tacoma to accept the rail line given to it by the Chehalis Western Railroad, and enable the town of Morton to be reconnected to the railroad main line.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Bob Mack, City of Tacoma.