SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6824

                    As of February 3, 2000

Title:  An act relating to transportation‑related funds and accounts.

Brief Description:  Consolidating transportation‑related funds and accounts.

Sponsors:  Senators Heavey, Haugen and Gardner.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  2/3/2000.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff:  Brad Lovaas (786-7307); Lynn Hale (786-7346)

Background:  Too many accounts limit the flexibility of the Legislature to address emerging and changing issues.  Accounts created for specific purposes may no longer be valid or needed.

The transportation fund was created in 1990.  Expenditures from the fund were to be used for transportation purposes.  Traditionally, expenditures from this fund were for nonhighway purposes.  Initiative 695 repealed the transportation fund.

Summary of Bill:  The multimodal fund is created.  Expenditures from this fund are to be used for transportation purposes.

The aeronautics account, the aircraft search and rescue account, the essential rail assistance account, the grade crossing protective fund, the high capacity transportation account, the highway safety account, the motorcycle education account, the pilotage account, and the public transportation systems account are merged into the multimodal fund.

The multimodal fund must receive 80 percent of its proportionate share of earning's based upon the fund's average daily balance.

The motor vehicle account, the economic development account, the Department of Licensing services account, the gasahol exemption holding account, the highway infrastructure account, the Puget Sound ferry operations account, the Puget Sound capital construction account, the recreational vehicle account, the small city account, the special category C account, the State Patrol highway account, the transfer relief account, the marine operating account, the high occupancy vehicle account, the transportation capital facilities account, and the transportation equipment account are merged into the motor vehicle fund.

A budget working group is formed for the purpose of conducting an examination of all of the transportation-related funds and accounts for possible elimination or consolidation.  The working group reports back to the Senate Transportation Committee during the 2001 legislative session.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 2, 2000.

Effective Date:  The bill contains several effective dates.  Please refer to the bill.