SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5327

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Transportation, March 21, 2001

Title:  An act relating to transportation funding and appropriations.

Brief Description:  Making transportation appropriations for 2001‑03.

Sponsors:  Senators Haugen, West and Gardner; by request of Governor Locke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  3/20/01, 3/21/01 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5327 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Benton, Finkbeiner, Horn, Jacobsen, Johnson, Kastama, McAuliffe, McDonald, Patterson, Prentice, T. Sheldon, Shin and Swecker.

Staff:  Jennifer Strus (786‑7484)

Background:  Appropriations are made on the basis of a fiscal biennium that begins on July 1 of each odd-numbered year to the major transportation agencies B Department of Transportation, the Washington State Patrol, the Department of Licensing, the Transportation Improvement Board, and the County Road Administration Board B as well as to smaller transportation and some general government agencies.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Appropriations are made for the 2001-2003 fiscal biennium.  The total appropriation for the biennium is $3.417 billion.

For additional information see "2001-2003 Transportation Budget Executive Summary" and supporting documents published by the Senate Transportation Committee.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill was not considered.

Appropriation:  Various.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Projects funded are the most important.

Testimony Against:  There is no money for improvements to roads.  This budget does not deal with the serious congestion problems in the central Puget Sound area.  If congestion is not dealt with, the state=s economy will suffer.

Testified:  Jim King, Citizens for Parks and Recreation (pro); Duke Schaub, AGC-Washington (con); Jim Halstrom, Master Builders (con); Rick Wickman, Identity Clark County (con); Mark Brown, City of Vancouver (con); Jackie White, Assn. of Counties (concerns); Ashley Probart, Assn. of Cities (concerns); Doug Levy, Cities of Everett, Kent, Federal Way (concerns); Don Snow, WSTA (concerns); Gretchen White, WSDOT (pro w/concerns); Robin Appleford, Vulcan NW (con); Eric Robertson, WSP (con); Bill LaBoarde, Transportation Choices Coalition (concerns); Ian McGowan, Talgo (concerns); Fred Stephens, DOL (concerns); Nancy Kelly, DOL (concerns); Denise Movius, DOL (concerns); Glen Hudson, AWB (con); Karen Schmidt, FMSIB (concerns); Gordon Baxter, Inland Boatmen=s Union (concerns); Steve Gorcestor, TIB (pro).