SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5740
As of February 12, 2001
Title: An act relating to removing barriers to transportation services provided by the private sector.
Brief Description: Removing barriers to transportation services provided by the private sector.
Sponsors: Senators Oke, Haugen, Winsley, Horn, McDonald and Rasmussen; by request of The Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/12/01.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Staff: Jennifer Ziegler (786-7316)
Background: The Legislature and the Governor formed the Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation in 1998 to assess the local, regional, and state transportation system; ensure that current and future money is spent wisely; make the system more accountable and predictable; and prepare a 20-year plan for funding and investing in the transportation system. The commission consisted of 46 members representing business, labor, agriculture, tribes, government, ports, shipping, trucking, transit, rail, environmental interests, and the general public.
The commission made 18 recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature. Recommendation Nine directed Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to use the private sector to deliver projects and transportation services.
Current law prohibits the operation of local public passenger transportation services within a public transportation benefit area with the exception of taxis, buses owned or operated by a school district or private school, and buses operated solely for the purposes of a corporation or organization.
Current law also prohibits the operation of any ferry operation within ten miles of a ferry crossing provided by the Washington State Ferries (WSF), unless the operator receives a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC). Any ferry operator assuming the operation and maintenance of a ferry from the WSF is bound by the WSF's contractual obligations.
Summary of Bill: A person or private corporation may operate a local public passenger transportation service within a public transportation benefit area. The WUTC has jurisdiction over a privately owned carrier operating within a public transportation benefit area.
Ferry operations within ten miles of a ferry crossing provided by the WSF are permitted. Any ferry operator assuming the operation and maintenance of a ferry from the WSF is not bound by the WSF's contractual obligations.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.