Title: An act relating to the motor pool within the department of general administration.

Brief Description: Managing the motor pool within the department of general administration.

Sponsors: Representatives Sommers, Alexander, Hunt, Wallace and Chase; by request of Department of General Administration.

Brief History: Passed House: 3/08/05, 98-0.

Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 3/22/05 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Doumit, Vice Chair; Fraser, Vice Chair; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Fairley, Kohl-Welles, Parlette, Pflug, Pridemore, Rasmussen, Regala, Roach, Rockefeller, Schoesler and Thibaudeau.

Staff: Brian Sims (786-7431)

Background: The Department of General Administration (GA) has the statutory responsibility to provide for motor vehicle transportation to any state agency upon request and demonstration of need. For the use of state agencies, two motor pools are established, one in Olympia and one in Seattle. The rental and mileage charges to agencies must provide funds sufficient to recover replacement of vehicles, but not the purchase of additional vehicles, and actual total costs of motor pool operations. Additions to capital such as the purchase of new vehicles, are budgeted and purchased from appropriated funds.

The value of any vehicle transferred from an agency to GA is accounted for by a system of credits.

Summary of Amended Bill: The basis for calculating rates charged to agencies for use of motor pool vehicles is adjusted to comply with federal rules. Non-appropriated funds are used for new vehicles. Vehicle retention policy is based on retaining vehicle until at least 120,000 miles of use. The department may dispose of vehicle prior to 120,000 miles when there is significant damage, or if they can demonstrate that earlier disposal will save money. These savings must be reflected in rate reductions in subsequent budget submittals.

The accounting system for vehicles transferred from an agency to GA is repealed.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill: The amended bill makes technical corrections
to fully comply with federal A-87 allowable cost rules, and requires the department to adopt
a vehicle retention policy that retains vehicles until at least 120,000 miles of use.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: This bill aligns the motor pool with the fee-for-service model that is used for accounting by other divisions of GA. The bill frees GA to meet the needs of agencies for assigned vehicles.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Martin Casey, General Administration. Bob Bippert, General Administration.