FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5912

C 191 L 03

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Creating the Produce Railcar Pool.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Highways & Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Mulliken, Haugen, Sheahan, Horn, Parlette, Rasmussen and Spanel).

Senate Committee on Highways & Transportation

House Committee on Transportation

Background: Agricultural products are shipped to market by a variety of methods, including by truck and the Washington Fruit Express.

Summary: The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) may establish the Washington Produce Railcar Pool to ship fresh and processed produce. To the extent funds are appropriated, the department can purchase, lease, or accept donated refrigerated railcars. WSDOT is authorized to refurbish and remodel the railcars.

A transportation management firm, whose functions will be overseen by WSDOT, may be hired to manage daily operations of the railcars. It must distribute the railcars throughout the state, and in times of excess capacity, it may loan the railcars to other shippers, including those who are out of state. Additionally, railcars may be pooled with those of other railroads, as long as the railroad provides an equal number of cars to Washington shippers.

The Produce Railcar Pool account is created.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate       48   0

House       80  18  (House amended)

Senate       45   0  (Senate concurred)

Effective: July 27, 2003