SB 6162

Washington State House of Representatives	BILL ANALYSIS

Transportation Committee

SB 6162

Brief Description: Harmonizing and updating various aspects of the urban arterial program.

Sponsors: Senator Haugen; by request of Transportation Improvement Board.

Brief Summary of Bill

Legislative Evaluation and Accountability Program Committee authorized funding program name changes are amended and re-codified in relevant statutes.

Number of Transportation Improvement Board members are reduced from 21 to 20.

Implements changes on appointments to the Transportation Improvement Board.

Hearing Date: 2/15/06

Staff: Jerry Long (786-7306).

Background:

Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) provides funding for improvements on state, city and county arterials. The primary agency purpose is to select and administer grants for city, county, and state transportation projects. The programs are: Small City Program, Transportation Partnership Program, Arterial Improvement Program, Pedestrian Safety Mobility Program, and City Hardship Assistance Program.

In 2005 TIB requested and received approval from the Legislative Evaluation and Accountability Program Committee (LEAP) to rename their funding programs. The changes were intended to more clearly identify which programs they may apply to for funding.

Currently, the TIB is comprised of 21 members including the Executive Director of the County Road Administration Board (CRAB) and two representatives of public transit systems. Appointments to the TIB Board are made by the Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT) except for the one state employee with responsibility for transportation policy, planning, or funding which is appointed by the Governor.

Summary of Bill:

The name changes for the TIB Programs are:

Transportation Partnership Program will be changed to the Urban Corridor Program.
Pedestrian Safety and Mobility Program will be changed to the Sidewalk Program.
Arterial Improvement Program will be the Urban Arterial Program.
City Hardship Assistance Program will be the Road Transfer Program.
Small City Program will be the Small City Arterial Program.

The number of TIB members is reduced from 21 to 20 by eliminating one of the public transit system appointments. The Executive Director of CRAB is also removed from the TIB Board and replaced by a county engineer or public works director from a county with a population of less than 125,000.

Appointments to the TIB are made by the Governor instead of the Secretary of the DOT.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.