HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2445

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                       Transportation

Title:  An act relating to expanding the list of transportation supportive uses permitted in transportation centers.

Brief Description:  Using transportation centers.

Sponsors:  Representatives Mitchell, Benton, Ogden and Carlson.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Transportation:  1/23/96, 1/31/96 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 22 members:  Representatives K. Schmidt, Chairman; Benton, Vice Chairman; Mitchell, Vice Chairman; R. Fisher, Ranking Minority Member; Hatfield, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Backlund; Blanton; Buck; Cairnes; Chopp; Elliot; Hankins; Horn; Johnson; McMahan; Ogden; Robertson; Romero; D. Schmidt; Scott; Sterk and Tokuda.

Staff:  Gene Baxstrom (786-7303).

Background:  Current law provides that cities, towns, counties or transit agencies which are authorized to operate public transportation systems may construct or otherwise acquire intermodal transportation centers.  Those agencies may operate those centers, including letting space for public or private purposes. 

Services which may be provided at transportation centers are limited to transportation-associated activities, including taxis, auto rental, trains and buses, travel agents, food, restrooms, parking, and light freight and packages.

Proposals for many transportation centers include other commercial/retail activities for the convenience of the users of the transportation system.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The purposes for which transportation centers may be used, beyond those primarily related to travel services, are expanded to include commercial retail services, offices, professional services, financial institutions, or any other use necessary and convenient for the users of the public transportation system operating at the transportation center.

The authority for local agencies to operate the services and other activities at transportation centers is eliminated.  Those local agencies may only lease facilities developed in conjunction with the centers.

Local agencies developing transportation centers must comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The authority to operate activities at transportation centers is eliminated, and language ensuring compliance with applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations is added.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Properties and activities developed around transit facilities are allowed to be complementary to the transportation facilities.  This will make transit more attractive to customers and improve transportation center development.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Maryann Mitchell, prime sponsor; Ken Housden, city of Everett; Steve Horrnstirn, C-TRAN; and Don Monroe, Pierce Transit.