SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6348

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Transportation, February 26, 2002

Title:  An act relating to transportation funding and appropriations.

Brief Description:  Making supplemental transportation appropriations.

Sponsors:  Senators Haugen, Benton, McAuliffe and Keiser; by request of Governor Locke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  1/28/02, 2/26/02 [DPS, DNP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6348 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Benton, Eide, Finkbeiner, Horn, Jacobsen, Kastama, Keiser, McAuliffe, McDonald, Shin and Swecker.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

Signed by Senator Oke.

Staff:  Jennifer Ziegler (786-7316)

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 agenciesBthe Department of Transportation, the Washington State Patrol, the Department of Licensing, the Transportation Improvement Board, and the County Road Administration BoardBas well as to smaller transportation and some general government agencies.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Supplemental appropriations are made for the 2001-2003 fiscal biennium.  The total appropriation for the biennium is $3.368 billion.

For additional information see supporting documents published by the Senate Transportation Committee.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill reflected the Governor's budget. The substitute bill reflects the Senate Transportation Committee's changes to that budget.

Appropriation:  Various.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The Department of Transportation will take every opportunity to demonstrate that the department is spending tax dollars in an efficient and accountable manner.  There may be some long-term implications to the lease ferry depreciation rights issue.  The Transportation Improvement Board has also taken significant steps regarding accountability.  The Washington State Patrol is constantly looking at ways to operate more efficiently.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Doug MacDonald, DOT; Jay Weber, CRAB; Eric Robertson, WSP: Diane Perry, WSP; Stevan Gorceser, TIB; Peter Thien, WSTA.