SSB 6932

HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 6932

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 Passed House - Amended:
March 5, 2008

Title: An act relating to ferry vessel and terminal planning.

Brief Description: Addressing ferry vessel and terminal planning.

Sponsors: By Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen, Swecker, Spanel, Jacobsen, Marr, Kilmer, Rockefeller and Shin).

Brief History:

Transportation: 2/26/08 [DPA].

Floor Activity:

Passed House - Amended: 3/5/08, 96-0.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
(As Amended by House)

Implements recommendations of the 2007 Joint Transportation Committee ferries finance study regarding ferry vessel maintenance, preservation, and replacement plans.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 23 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Flannigan, Vice Chair; Ericksen, Ranking Minority Member; Schindler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Dickerson, Eddy, Herrera, Hudgins, Jarrett, Kristiansen, Loomis, Rodne, Rolfes, Sells, Smith, Springer, Takko, Upthegrove, Wallace, Warnick, Williams and Wood.

Staff: Teresa Berntsen (786-7301).

Background:

The 2006 Transportation Budget directed the Joint Transportation Committee (JTC) to conduct a finance study of the Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington State Ferries Division (WSF). The study was to facilitate legislative policy discussions and decisions regarding the WSF. In 2007 the Legislature passed ESHB 2358, which implemented the recommendations of the JTC study. The 2007 Transportation Budget directed the JTC to conduct phase two of the WSF finance study. In January 2008 a portion of the phase two study was completed regarding vessel preservation and replacement.

Summary of Amended Bill:

Recommendations from the 2007 JTC ferries finance study are implemented. The WSF is directed to:

develop and maintain a vessel rebuild, replacement, and deployment plan that must be included in its capital plan. The plan must include an evaluation of long-term operating costs related to fuel efficiency and staffing;
develop and maintain a vessel maintenance and preservation program, which must include a bilge maintenance program, a visual inspection/audio gauging steel preservation program, and efficiencies by reducing dry-docking times;
provide a status report on its vessel maintenance and preservation program with each budget submittal to the Office of Financial Management and the Legislature; and
include an evaluation of long-term operating costs related to fuel efficiency and staffing when planning for new vessel acquisitions.

The WSF may not use its vessel emergency repair budget for planned maintenance and inspection of inactive vessels.

The Washington State Transportation Commission is directed to review the WSF's capital plan and report to the transportation committees of the Legislature, rather than adopt the plan.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

None.

Persons Testifying: None.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.