SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5722

                    As of February 15, 1999

Title:  An act relating to department of transportation expenditures for environmental retrofit projects.

Brief Description:  Directing noise wall retrofit projects.

Sponsors:  Senators Fraser, Long, Haugen, Kline, Fairley, Wojahn, Thibaudeau, Prentice and Kohl‑Welles.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  2/16/99.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff:  Ashley Probart (786-7319)

Background:  The Department of Transportation (DOT) currently has no formal program or funding process for retrofitting state highways with noise walls.  The only instances where noise walls are required is when a highway improvement project is funded with federal transportation dollars.

DOT does maintain a prioritized list of noise retrofit projects, but it is not required to do so under state or federal law.

Historically, the Department of Transportation and the Transportation Commission have not requested significant funding (if any funding at all) for noise wall retrofit projects.  In more recent years, where DOT and the Transportation Commission have submitted a budget request to provide funding for noise wall retrofits, the Governor and/or the Legislature have not provided funding.

Summary of Bill:  Each fiscal year, the Department of Transportation is required to expend a minimum of 2 of 1 percent of all highway construction fundsCboth state and federalCon noise wall retrofit projects.

If the department expends more than the required minimum in any fiscal year, this additional amount may be carried forward as a credit against the spending requirement for the following fiscal year.  These carry-forward credits may be accumulated for up to four consecutive years.

These funds earmarked for noise retrofit projects may also be used by DOT to review and maintain a prioritized list of noise retrofit projects.  The department is directed to provide its revised project list by June 30, 2000.  This list must be updated at least once every four years.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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