SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6175

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Highways & Transportation, February 4, 2004

Title: An act relating to lead agency status for the construction of transportation projects.

Brief Description: Forfeiting lead agency status for nonperformance.

Sponsors: Senators Haugen and Horn.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Highways & Transportation: 1/29/04, 2/4/04 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6175 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Staff: Greg Doss (786-7341)

Background: A county, city, port or other public entity may be designated as a lead agency for the purpose of complying with federal highway fund regulations or coordinating a partnership project funded by multiple governments. The Highways and Local Programs Division of the Department of Transportation (WSDOT) maintains a certification program for local entities that coordinate federally funded projects on state highways or local roads.

Local agencies that coordinate partnership projects typically have agreements (contracts) with WSDOT or other local governments. The agreements usually specify a deadline for completion of right of way, design or construction services.

Summary of Substitute Bill: A public agency that does not perform on time contracted services must forfeit its lead agency status and pay back any partnership funding provided for the project. The WSDOT must include in agreements with local lead agencies specific milestones and performance measures that are tied to appropriate time lines.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The original bill did not require WSDOT to include in agreements with local lead agencies specific milestones and performance measures that are tied to appropriate time lines.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: None.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: No one.