SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2344

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Government Operations & Elections, February 25, 2004

Title: An act relating to the motor pool within the department of general administration.

Brief Description: Managing the motor pool within the department of general administration.

Sponsors: Representatives Alexander, Sommers, Romero, Hunt and Moeller; by request of Department of General Administration.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 2/25/04 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Stevens, Vice Chair; Berkey, Fairley, Horn, Kastama and McCaslin.

Staff: Diane Smith (786-7410)

Background: The Department of General Administration (GA) provides various services to state agencies including management and operation of motor vehicle transportation services. As part of this service, GA furnishes transportation services to state agencies on a temporary or permanent basis and operates motor pools in Olympia, Seattle, and other locations. GA determines rental and mileage fees sufficient to cover replacement of vehicles and actual total costs of motor pool operations and establishes guidelines, procedures and standards for fleet operation. GA is responsible for the acquisition, operation, maintenance, storage, repair, and replacement of state motor vehicles under its control.

Passenger motor vehicles owned or acquired by state agencies may be purchased by or transferred to GA with the consent of the agency. In certain circumstances, GA may direct the transfer of an agency vehicle to the motor pool, or other appropriate disposition, upon finding that the vehicle is not required by the agency. No cash reimbursement is made to agencies for these vehicles if the vehicle was acquired without cost or purchased from general fund appropriations. The agency receives credits against future motor pool charges equal to the value of the vehicle. If the vehicle was originally purchased through dedicated, revolving, or trust funds, the agency may be paid outright if surplus funds are available in the general administration services account. Otherwise, a credit is applied toward future motor pool use.

Summary of Bill: Seattle is removed as a named location at which GA is empowered to provide a motor pool. Provisions for reimbursing state agencies for vehicles transferred to GA are repealed.

The funds necessary to purchase additional vehicles are factored in to the schedule of rental and mileage charges and are not available from the general fund.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: This is a good government bill that allows the motor pool to meet agency needs while bringing the motor pool operation into the fee-for service model used successfully by other General Administration programs. It repeals the provision that credits an agency for turning over its own cars to the motor pool. This is no longer needed. The motor pool rate is about 50 percent less than commercial car rental rates.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Representative Alexander, prime sponsor (pro); Bob Bippert, GA (pro).