SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SJM 8009

                    As of January 21, 1999

Brief Description:  Requesting the Transportation Commission to update the system of Highways of Statewide Significance.

Sponsors:  Senators Haugen, Gardner, Benton and Goings.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  1/21/99.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff:  Ashley Probart (786-7319)

Background:  The 1998 Legislature passed and the Governor signed into law Substitute House Bill 1487, which was commonly known as the Level of Service (LOS) bill.  One section of the LOS bill broadly identified facilities of "statewide significance," such as intercity high-speed ground transportation, the freight rail system, the interstate, and interregional state principal arterials.

Although the legislation broadly identified facilities of statewide significance, it also required the Transportation Commission to designate a state highway system of statewide significance during the interim session and then submit this list for adoption by the 1999 Legislature.  The designated system is required, at a minimum, to include interstate highways and principal arterials that connect major communities across the state and support the state's economy.  The Transportation Commission is also directed to give a higher priority to correcting deficiencies on the designated system.

An oversight of the 1998 LOS bill was that it did not include legislative direction on how to address future updates to the highways of statewide significance system, including how to adopt new routes or delete routes from the designated system.

Summary of Bill:  This joint memorial concurs with the Transportation Commission's designated highway system of statewide significance.  It also directs the Transportation Commission to conduct a review and update of the system, as necessary, at least every five years.  The update process may include the deletion or adoption of routes to the designated highway system of statewide significance.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.