HB 1678-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Creates the city and county advance right-of-way revolving fund in the custody of the treasurer.

     Provides that the transportation improvement board is the administrator of the fund and may deposit directly and spend without appropriation.

     Provides that the transportation improvement board and the county road administration board, in consultation with the association of Washington cities and the Washington association of counties, shall adopt reasonable rules and develop policies to implement this program.

     Provides that, in order to minimize the disruption to traffic and damage to the roadway, the department is encouraged to develop a joint trenching policy with other affected jurisdictions so that all permittees and franchisees requiring access to ground under the roadway may do so at one time.

     Provides that a person constructing or operating such a utility on a state highway is also liable to the state for all necessary expenses incurred in inspecting the construction and restoring the pavement or other related transportation equipment or facilities to a permanent condition suitable for travel and operation in accordance with requirements set by the department.  Permit and franchise holders are also financially responsible to the department for trenching work not completed within the contractual period and for compensating for the loss of useful pavement life caused by trenching.

VETO MESSAGE ON 1678-S

                   May 7, 2001

To the Honorable Speakers and Members,

  The House of Representatives of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am returning herewith, without my approval as to section 9, Substitute House Bill No. 1678 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to advance right-of-way acquisition;"

     Substitute House Bill No. 1678 creates the city and county advance right of way revolving fund.  This account was recommended by the Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation, and will allow local governments to acquire land in advance of construction, as funds become available.  This has proved to be a very effective tool at the state level, allowing construction to start as soon as construction funding is available.

     Section 9 of the bill would have rendered the fund null and void if there is no appropriation for the fund in this year's biennial transportation budget.  I strongly support the revolving fund, and have recommended an appropriation in my transportation budget proposal. I urge the legislature to do the same.  Clearly, the merits of this bill extend beyond June 30th of this year.

     For these reasons I have vetoed section 9 of Substitute House Bill No. 1678.

     With the exception of section 9, Substitute House Bill No. 1678 is approved.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Gary Locke

                   Governor