SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 1317

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                 Transportation, April 2, 1999

Title:  An act relating to transportation planning.

Brief Description:  Enhancing regional transportation planning.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Murray, K. Schmidt, Fisher, Romero, Ogden, Scott, Hankins, Skinner, Morris, Lovick, Cooper, Reardon, O'Brien, Wood and McIntire).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  4/1/99, 4/2/99 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Benton, Costa, Eide, Horn, Johnson, Morton, Oke, Patterson, Sellar, Sheahan, T. Sheldon, Shin and Swecker.

Staff:  Ashley Probart (786-7319)

Background:  There are 14 regional transportation planning organizations (RTPOs) in Washington.  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.

A regional transportation planning organization 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 Amended Bill:  RTPO board membership is modified.  Any member of the House of Representatives or the state Senate whose districts are within the boundaries of the regional transportation planning organization are considered ex-officio, nonvoting board members of the regional transportation planning organization. This does not preclude legislators from becoming full-time, voting board members.

RTPOs are required to provide notification of available publications to state legislators within their boundaries.  Upon request by legislators, RTPO's are required to provide a schedule of their six-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).  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.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  RTPO board membership is modified.  Any member of the House of Representatives or the state Senate whose districts are within the boundaries of the regional transportation planning organization are considered ex-officio, nonvoting board members of the regional transportation planning organization. This does not preclude legislators from becoming full-time, voting board members.

A list of RTPO information is to be provided to state legislators.  The state legislators then notify the RTPO of specific information requests.  The intent is to provide selective information instead of receiving all RTPO publications.

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 the communication between regional transportation planning organizations and members of the state Legislature.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Representative Murray, prime sponsor; Todd Carlson, DOT; Mike Ryherd, City of Anacortes (concerns).