Washington State House of Representatives	BILL ANALYSIS
Transportation Committee

HB 1690

Brief Description:  Regulating federal transportation fund distribution.

Sponsors:  Representatives Fisher and Mitchell; by request of The Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation.

Brief Summary of Bill

$The Department of Transportation (DOT) is to develop a formula for distributing federal pass-through funds to be distributed on a geographic basis taking into account specific factors.

$The DOT shall develop, in cooperation with other jurisdictions, a method for joint regional programming of federal funds and develop one-stop grant funding process.

Hearing Date:  2/22/01

Staff:  Gene Baxstrom (786‑7303).

Background: 

The Governor and the Legislature created the Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation in 1998 to:  1) assess the local, regional, and state transportation system; 2) ensure that current and future money is spent wisely; 3) make the system more accountable and predictable; and 4) prepare a 20-year plan for funding and investing in the transportation system.  In December 2000 the Commission issued its findings and recommendations.

Recommendation 14 of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation (BRCT) recommended that the distributions of transportation funding be simplified for best results.  Specifically, the commission recommended that pass-through funds be distributed according to a new formula that directs funds on a geographic basis to counties, and cities within counties, taking into account certain factors. 

The commission also recommended that a new method for joint regional programming of federal funds be developed with the state, local jurisdictions, transit agencies, and other stakeholders participating in a regional prioritization process that directs federal funds to major corridors and facility clusters.

Summary of Bill: 

The Department of Transportation must develop a formula that distributes federal pass-through funds on a geographic basis to counties and cities within counties.  This formula is to take into account lane miles, classification and pavement type, population, and usage and is to be adjusted for changes in road jurisdiction at least once every five years.

The department is directed to develop, with the assistance of state, local jurisdictions, transit agencies, and other stakeholders, a method for joint regional programming of federal funds to major corridors and facility clusters.

Federal transportation funds must be managed only by jurisdictions and agencies that are ?certification accepted.@

The department must create one-stop grant funding centers from which all competitive federal and state funds are disbursed.  This disbursement must be according to regional priority programming agreements and be administered through a single application process.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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