Title: An act relating to adding an additional port district member to the executive board of regional transportation planning organizations.

Brief Description: Including four public port districts on the executive board of regional transportation planning organizations and lowering the population threshold.

Sponsors: Senators Rockefeller and Oke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/15/05, 2/21/05 [DP].

Passed Senate: 3/11/05, 47-2.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Jacobsen, Vice Chair; Poulsen, Vice Chair; Swecker, Ranking Minority Member; Benson, Eide, Esser, Kastama, Mulliken, Oke, Spanel and Weinstein.

Staff: Kelly Simpson (786-7403)

Background: Under current law, regional transportation planning organizations (RTPOs) are voluntary associations of local governments established for transportation planning purposes. In order to qualify for state planning funds, an RTPO containing a county with a population greater than one million must provide voting membership on its executive board to the state Transportation Commission, the state Department of Transportation, and the three largest port districts within the region. Additionally, the RTPO must assure that at least 50 percent of the local elected officials serving on its executive board also serve on transit agency boards or on a regional transit authority.

Summary of Bill: In order to qualify for state planning funds, an RTPO containing a county with a population greater than three hundred thousand must provide voting membership on its executive board (or equivalent board) to the state Transportation Commission, the state Department of Transportation, and the four largest port districts within the region. Additionally, the RTPO must assure that at least 50 percent of the local elected officials serving on its executive board also serve on transit agency boards or on a regional transit authority.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: Port districts play an important role in the governance and policy making of the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC). Adding the Port of Bremerton to the PSRC's Executive Board would be a valuable addition. The Port of Bremerton wishes to be an equal partner on the Board.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Senator Rockefeller, prime sponsor; Rick Olson, Puget Sound Regional Council; Bill Mahan & Ken Attebery, Port of Bremerton.

House Amendment(s): A regional transportation planning organization containing a county with a population greater than one million must provide voting membership on its executive board to the fourth largest port district within the region, in addition to the other representatives required under existing law. (The amendment reflects the original SB 5110 and HB 1248 companion language.)

Passed House: 95-0.