SENATE BILL REPORT

HJM 4039

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Highways & Transportation, March 1, 2004

Brief Description: Requesting Congress to consider Washington for magnetic levitation transportation funding.

Sponsors: Representatives Ericksen, Dickerson, Sullivan, Campbell, Nixon, G. Simpson and Upthegrove.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Highways & Transportation: 2/26/04, 3/1/04 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Horn, Chair; Swecker, Vice Chair; Esser, Haugen, Jacobsen, Kastama, Mulliken, Murray and Oke.

Staff: Tami Neilson (786-7452)

Background: Magnetic levitation is a technology in which magnetic forces lift, and propel a vehicle over a guideway. It is operated by electric power and control systems, eliminating the need for contact between the vehicle and guideway. A personal rapid transit system is a large fleet of automated taxi-sized vehicles running on an elevated network of monorail guideways.

Summary of Amended Bill: The Legislature requests that the United States Department of Transportation consider Washington State as a candidate for federal funding to implement magnetic levitation projects.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill: A technical change was made.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Testimony For: Federal funding for magnetic levitation may be obtained from the federal government. Magnetic levitation could become a reality in Washington State.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Washington State Representative Doug Ericksen (pro).