SB 6212-S.E - DIGEST

(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 2/15/00)

     Provides that, if the department of transportation discontinues its operations on passenger-only ferry crossings, or decides not to pursue passenger-only ferry crossings that have been previously budgeted and approved by the transportation commission, the public interest requires that persons and entities other than the department be allowed the opportunity to operate passenger-only ferry service on those crossings.  The lease of passenger-only ferries and facilities from the department, or provision of money, equipment, or materials, or the provision of equipment, materials, services, or facilities at below-market value by a public entity, to allow an entity to operate passenger-only ferry service is for the benefit of the public to ensure adequate passenger-only ferry service along passenger-only ferry crossings.

     Directs the commission, in issuing a permit to a passenger-only ferry operator, to require that liability and property damage insurance be acquired and maintained on each vessel or ferry to be used to provide service.

     Authorizes the commission, upon complaint by an interested party, or on its own motion after notice and opportunity for hearing, to cancel, revoke, suspend, alter, or amend a permit issued under this chapter on any of the following grounds:  (1) Failure of the permit holder to initiate the proposed service within one year after the permit has been granted;

     (2) violation of any provision of this act;

     (3) violation of or failure to observe the provisions or conditions of the permit or tariff;

     (4) violation of an order, decision, rule, regulation, or requirement established by the commission under this act;

     (5) failure of a permit holder to maintain the required insurance coverage in full force and effect; or

     (6) failure or refusal to furnish reasonable and adequate service after initiating service.

     Creates the joint task force on ferries.

     Requires the joint task force on ferries to meet during the interim and report back to the transportation committees of the senate and house of representatives by December 15, 2000.  The task force is charged with development of an orderly process to examine all possible solutions that are presented to the task force, including, but not limited to, continued operation of passenger-only ferry service by Washington State Ferries, state and local partnerships, local partnerships, government and nonprofit partnerships, and private operations.  The task force shall consider public options first, nonprofit options second, and private operations third.