HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 HJM 4028

                      As Passed House:

                       March 10, 1995

Brief Description:  Urging passage of legislation authorizing the National Highway System.

Sponsors:  Representatives K. Schmidt, R. Fisher, Hatfield, Cairnes, Hankins, Ogden, Johnson, D. Schmidt and Blanton.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Transportation:  3/1/95, 3/3/95 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  3/10/95, 97-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 26 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; Blanton; Brown; Buck; Cairnes; Chopp; Elliot; Hankins; Horn; Johnson; Koster; McMahan; Ogden; Patterson; Quall; Robertson; Romero; D. Schmidt; Scott and Tokuda.

Staff:  Eugene Schlatter (786-7316).

Background:  The federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) restructured previous federal highway aid programs into two basic programs:  the National Highway System (NHS) and the Interstate System, which is a component of the NHS.  A separate federal funding program was created for NHS.  The specific roadways to be contained within the NHS were not identified with the passage of ISTEA.

In the interim, the NHS consists of highways classified as principal arterials.

Congress has until September 30, 1995, to designate by law the NHS.  If they fail to do so, no money may be expended from the new NHS funding category, resulting in a loss of about $60 million of federal revenue a year to Washington.

The United States Department of Transportation Secretary, in cooperation with states, cities, counties, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and ports, submitted to Congress the proposed NHS last year as required by law.  Congress failed to adopt the proposal.

The proposed NHS is to consist of not more than 165,000 miles of major roads in the United States.  Included in the system will be all interstate routes, a large percentage of urban and rural principal arterials, the defense strategic highway network, and strategic highway connections.

Summary of Bill:  Congress is urged to pass legislation approving the National Highway System before September 30, 1995.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Testimony For:  Designation of the NHS will ensure Washington State's continued receipt of $60 million of federal funding per year.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Helga Morgenstern, Department of Transportation.