SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 6288

              As Passed Senate, February 12, 1996

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

Brief Description:  Using transportation centers.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Rasmussen, Prince, Bauer and Oke).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  1/23/96, 2/1/96 [DPS, DNPS].

Passed Senate, 2/12/96, 28-20.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6288 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Owen, Chair; Heavey, Vice Chair; Goings, Haugen, Oke, Prince, Rasmussen, Schow and Thibaudeau.

Minority Report:  Do not pass substitute.

  Signed by Senator Sellar.

Staff:  Gene Baxstrom (786-7303)

Background:  Current law provides that cities, towns, counties or transit agencies which are authorized to operate a public transportation system 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 providing convenience to the users of the transportation system.

Summary of 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 services and other activities at transportation centers is eliminated.  Those agencies may only lease facilities developed in conjunction with the center.

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

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

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

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Rasmussen, prime sponsor; Steve Hornstien, C-TRAN (pro); Don Monroe, Pierce Transit (pro); Ken Housden, Transportation Services, city of Everett (pro).