SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6596

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

               Transportation, January 29, 1998

Title:  An act relating to regional transportation planning.

Brief Description:  Enhancing regional transportation planning.

Sponsors:  Senators Horn, Haugen, Prince, Rasmussen, Patterson and Morton.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  1/28/98, 1/29/98 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Prince, Chair; Benton, Vice Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Goings, Haugen, Heavey, Horn, Jacobsen, Morton, Oke, Patterson, Prentice, Rasmussen and Sellar.

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 its six-year transportation improvement program (six-year TIP) and its regional transportation plan.

An RTPO policy board is required to include cities, counties, port districts, transit districts, major employers, and the Department of Transportation.  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 Bill:  The Regional Transportation Planning Organization Policy Board membership is expanded to include at least one member from the state Senate and the House of Representatives.

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

Through the regional transportation planning process, and through state planning efforts, regional transportation planning organizations 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.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  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:  PRO:  Senator Horn, prime sponsor; Charlie Howard, WSDOT.