Sponsors: By House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representative Murray).

Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill

• Implements a .50 cent homeland transportation security surcharge.

• Creates the Homeland Transportation Security Account

• The security surcharge is deposited into the Homeland Transportation Security Account.

• Provides appropriations for transportation related security.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 20 members: Representatives Murray, Chair; Rockefeller, Vice Chair; G. Simpson, Vice Chair; Jarrett, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Clibborn, Cooper, Dickerson, Hankins, Hatfield, Hudgins, Lovick, Morris, Nixon, Rodne, Romero, Shabro, Wallace, Wood and Woods.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 5 members: Representatives Armstrong, Campbell, Kristiansen, Mielke and Schindler.

After the events of September 11, 2001, security against terrorism has been a national concern. At the state level, there has been identified security enhancement needs concerning transportation infrastructures. Some of the areas identified, for example, are bridges, border security, commercial vehicle enforcement, communication systems and new U.S. Coast Guard regulations concerning the Washington State Ferry system. Many needs have been identified, but very little funding has been identified to increase security in many of these areas.

Implements a .50 cent homeland transportation security surcharge on all vehicle registrations except for new vehicles never registered in the state, prorate trucks and large commercial trailers. The surcharge would be on registrations that are due or become due on or after September 1, 2004.

The fee is distributed to the newly created Homeland Transportation Security Account.

There are appropriations for the Department of Transportation for increased ferry security to be in compliance with new U.S. Coast Guard regulations and provides for ferry safety management systems. Funding is included for the Department of Transportation vulnerability survey of transportation assets and emergency training. There are also appropriations for the Washington State Patrol for increased vessel and terminal security. In addition, there is the state's match for federal funding from the Motor Carriers Safety Assistance Program for the new Motor Carriers Entrants Program and the new Northern Border Program. The bill also contains appropriations for the Washington State Patrol for identity theft detectives to work with the Department of Licensing on the issuances of original and renewal driver licenses.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 24, 2004. Fiscal note on the substitute requested on February 26, 2004. Fiscal note on the engrossed substitute requested on March 1, 2004.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed, except for section 3, relating to appropriations, which takes effect on July 1, 2004.

Testimony For: Homeland security is necessary and this funding will assist in covering identified security needs in transportation.