HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2017
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported by House Committee On:
Transportation
Title: An act relating to designating state route number 527 as a highway of statewide significance.
Brief Description: Designating state route number 527 as a highway of statewide significance.
Sponsors: Representatives Ericks, Lovick, O'Brien and Dunshee.
Brief History:
Transportation: 2/21/07, 3/1/07 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 26 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Flannigan, Vice Chair; Jarrett, Ranking Minority Member; Schindler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Armstrong, Campbell, Curtis, Dickerson, Eddy, Ericksen, Hailey, Hankins, Hudgins, Kristiansen, Lovick, Rodne, Rolfes, Sells, Simpson, Springer, B. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Wallace and Wood.
Staff: Kathryn Leathers (786-7114).
Background:
An element of statewide transportation planning includes identifying significant state-owned
transportation facilities and services. Highways of statewide significance are one category of
transportation facilities and services of statewide significance. Such highways include, at a
minimum, interstate highways and other statewide principal arterials that are needed to
connect major communities across the state and support the state's economy. The
Department of Transportation (Department) is responsible for establishing level-of-service
standards for highways of statewide significance.
Designating a highway as a highway of statewide significance means, among other things,
that improvements along the highway are given higher priority for improvement funding, and
the Growth Management Act concurrency requirements do not apply.
Prior to 2006, the Legislature and the Transportation Commission (Commission) had
authority to designate highways of statewide significance. Designations made by the
Commission were subject to review and adoption by the Legislature. In 2006, the
Commission's authority to make such designations was transferred to the Department.
Summary of Bill:
State Route (SR) 527, beginning at a junction with SR 522 in the vicinity of Bothel, and
continuing northerly to a junction with SR 5 south of Everett, is designated as a highway of
statewide significance.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) Attempts were made to designate State Route 527 as a highway of statewide
significance in the late 1990s and also during the last legislative session. This is important to
the people from the First Legislative District.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Ericks, prime sponsor.