Title: An act relating to establishing dedicated funding for freight mobility.

Brief Description: Establishing funding for freight mobility.

Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen, Kastama, Swecker, Benson, Esser, Mulliken, Shin, and Oke; by request of Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/2/05.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff: David Ward (786-7341)

Background: The Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board (FMSIB) was created in 1998 to represent freight needs throughout the state. Currently, funds appropriated by the legislature for FMSIB-selected projects are administered through the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Summary of Bill: The Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Account is created in the state treasury. All federal, state and private funds allocated to FMSIB must be deposited in the account. Discretionary funds received by the state under extension or reauthorization of the federal transportation equity act for the 21st century and appropriated by the legislature to the board must also must be deposited in the account. Money in the account may only be spent after legislative appropriation and retains its own interest income.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 2005.

Testimony For: Having a dedicated freight account and funding source will demonstrate the state[rsquo ]s commitment to both future freight system demand and potential funding partners. It will also provide visibility and credibility for FMSIB as an organization.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Patricia Oatley, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF); Bill Stauffacher, BNSF; Scott Hazelgrove, Pacific Merchant Shipping Association; Dan O[rsquo ]Neal, FMSIB; Rich Berkowitz, Transportation Institute.