Brief Description: Making transportation appropriations for the 2005-07 and 2007-09 fiscal biennia.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Clibborn, Jarrett and O'Brien; by request of Governor Gregoire).

House Committee on Transportation
Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:

The operating and capital expenses of state transportation agencies and programs are funded on a biennial basis by an omnibus transportation budget adopted by the Legislature in odd-numbered years. Additionally, supplemental budgets may be adopted during the biennium making various modifications to agency appropriations.

The transportation budget provides appropriations to the major transportation agencies including: the Department of Transportation, the Washington State Patrol, the Department of Licensing, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, the Transportation Improvement Board, the County Road Administration Board, and the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board. The budget also provides appropriations from transportation funds to many smaller agencies with transportation functions.

Summary:

Appropriations are made for state transportation agencies and programs for the 2007-09 fiscal biennium. Total appropriations are $7.5 billion, with $2.6 billion in operating expenses and $4.9 billion in capital investments. Additionally, appropriations for various transportation agencies and programs are modified for the 2005-07 biennium.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   81   16
Senate   44   3   (Senate amended)
House         (House refused to concur)

Conference Committee
Senate   46   3
House   76   21

Effective: May 15, 2007

Partial Veto Summary: In the 2007-09 transportation budget, the Governor's vetoes had no effect on appropriations levels. Policy relating to funding were vetoed addressing mitigation funding, limits on the use of agricultural land in mitigation banking, Government Accounting Standards Board requirements for asset replacement value, and membership on the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board. The Governor also vetoed a number of sections to make technical corrections and reflect the passage of bills.

In the 2005-07 supplemental transportation budget, the Governor vetoed appropriations for the following Department of Transportation program budgets: Improvement, Preservation, Ferry Construction, and Local Programs. This has the effect of restoring the higher funding levels provided by the 2006 Legislature. The Governor's veto message directs the Department of Transportation to place into reserve status any excess appropriation authority not required for the remainder of the 2005-07 biennium.