HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2964

             As Reported By House Committee On:

               Transportation Policy & Budget

Title:  An act relating to regional transportation planning.

Brief Description:  Enhancing regional transportation planning.

Sponsors:  Representatives Murray, K. Schmidt, Mitchell, Fisher, Hatfield, Cooper, Romero, Cairnes, Skinner, Scott, O'Brien, Wood, Radcliff, Cody, Keiser, Constantine, Regala and Ogden.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Transportation Policy & Budget:  2/2/98 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION POLICY & BUDGET

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 19 members:  Representatives K. Schmidt, Chairman; Hankins, Vice Chairman; Mielke, Vice Chairman; Mitchell, Vice Chairman; Fisher, Ranking Minority Member; Cooper, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Backlund; Chandler; Constantine; Hatfield; Johnson; Murray; O'Brien; Ogden; Robertson; Scott; Skinner; Sterk and Wood.

Staff:  Ashley Probart (786-7319).

Background:  There are 14 regional transportation planning organizations (RTPOs) in Washington State.  Each RTPO has a policy board that provides direction on the implementation of their six-year transportation improvement program (TIP) and their regional transportation plan.

An RTPO policy board is required to include cities, counties, port districts, transit districts, major employers and the Department of Transportation (DOT).  Several RTPOs provide information to their state legislators on RTPO functions, but it is not a state requirement.

The six-year TIP proposes regionally significant transportation projects and a financial plan that demonstrates how the program is to be funded.  The six-year TIP is updated at least every two years, but can be amended during the interim.

The regional transportation planning process establishes standards for a regional transportation plan, coordination between RTPOs, and in conjunction with state planning efforts, identifies and plans improvements that are important to moving people and goods on a regional and statewide basis.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  RTPO policy board membership is expanded to include at least one member from the State Senate and the House of Representatives whose districts are within the boundaries of the RTPO.

RTPOs are required to provide a schedule of their six-year TIP to state legislators within their boundaries.  The schedule is to include decision process points, updates and amendments to the six-year TIP.

Through the regional transportation planning process, and through state planning efforts, RTPOs are required to identify and jointly plan the most efficient strategy to address identified deficiencies, including investments in modal integration, in corridors that are important to moving people and goods on a regional and statewide basis.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The requirement that legislative board members be from districts within the RTPO boundaries 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:  This bill will strengthen communication between regional transportation planning organizations and members of the state Legislature.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Charlie Howard, Department of Transportation.