Washington State House of Representatives	BILL ANALYSIS
Transportation Committee

HB 2990

Brief Description:  Continuing transportation efficiencies.

Sponsors:  Representatives Schindler, Holmquist, Mielke, Ericksen, Mitchell and Morell.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Repeals the null and void clause applicable to sections 201 through 204 of the act which include language requiring the Department of Transportation (DOT) to develop a financial incentive program with labor groups, and language authorizing DOT to contract out construction engineering services.

$Repeals the null and void clause applicable to sections 301‑308 and section 310 of the act which include language relating to the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) conducting an assessment on current techniques used in setting prevailing wages for transportation trades, and language discontinuing the current transfer of fee revenue to the General Fund.

Hearing Date:  2/26/02

Staff:  Reema Griffith (786‑7301).

Background:

ESHB 2304 passed the Legislature and was signed by the Governor on January 30, 2002.  The bill contained multiple null and void clauses to ensure that portions of the act did not become law should there be no new transportation revenues available by January 1, 2003.

Summary of Bill:

The null and void clause applicable to sections 201 through 204 of the act is repealed.  Those sections contain the following key provisions:

$Requires the DOT to work with labor to develop a financial incentive program to aid in the retention and recruitment of employees;

$Authorizes the DOT to contract out construction services and construction engineering services in order to augment the department's current work force.

The null and void clause applicable to sections 301‑308 and section 310 of the act is repealed. Those sections contain the following key provisions:

$Requires L&I to set a goal of conducting wage surveys for each trade every three years, actively promote increased response rates to the survey, process intents and affidavits within seven working days from receipt, and develop and implement electronic processing of intents and affidavits;

$Requires the Apprenticeship Council to work with various stakeholders in establishing technical apprenticeship opportunities in transportation;

$Requires the DOT to work with labor in establishing a human resources skills bank of transportation professionals;

$Require L&I to conduct an assessment of the current practices used in setting prevailing wages for trades related to transportation;

$Removes the statutory requirement that revenue generated by intent and affidavit fees be transferred from the Public Works Administration Account to the General Fund; and

$Makes a $950,000 appropriation to L&I to carry out the provisions of this act.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.