SB 6680-S.E - DIGEST

(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 2/13/04)

Recognizes the need to place a greater emphasis on the movement of freight in Washington state. A strong programmatic commitment is needed to focus current resources and direct new, ongoing funding toward freight corridor priorities and projects that expedite the movement of international cargo.

Recognizes that the transportation improvement board currently makes a ten million dollar biennial investment in such projects and has the engineering expertise required to manage freight construction projects.

Declares an intent to consolidate the board's freight activities into a program that helps Washington to become a federal "center of excellence" and attracts new funding as part of the TEA-21 reauthorization. A freight investment account is created as a repository for federal funds and for any new state revenues dedicated to the ongoing support of freight mobility.