| Washington State House of Representatives |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Transportation Committee | |
HB 1173
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.
Brief Description: Prioritizing funding for special category C projects.
Sponsors: Representatives Schindler, Wood, Crouse, Ahern, Ormsby, Barlow, Hailey, Sump, Haler, Kretz and Buri.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/25/07
Staff: Jeff Olsen (786-7157).
Background:
In 1990, the Legislature established the Special Category C account in the Motor Vehicle Fund
for high cost projects that would require bond financing to complete construction. The account
receives an amount equal to 3.2609 percent of the motor vehicle fuel tax and the special fuel tax,
or three-quarters of a cent per gallon of fuel. In the 2005-07 biennium, the account is forecast to
receive $49.2 million in revenues.
Criteria for prioritizing Special Category C projects in priority order include:
1. Accident experience;
2. Fatal accident experience;
3. Capacity to move people and goods safely and at reasonable speeds and without undue
congestion; and
4. Continuity of development of the highway transportation network.
Since the creation of the account, funding has been appropriated in the Transportation budget for
projects in the State Route 18 corridor, the State Route 2 corridor in North Spokane and Division
Street, the State Route 99 First Avenue Bridge, and the State Route 395 corridor near Spokane.
In addition to establishing the account, the Legislature approved $330 million of general
obligation bonds for the location, design, right-of-way, and construction of Special Category C
improvements. The entire $330 million bond authorization has been used.
Summary of Bill:
Criteria for prioritizing projects for funding from the Special Category C account are removed.
Only specific projects, listed in priority order, are eligible for funding from the Special Category
C account including:
1. State Route 395, North Spokane Corridor;
2. State Route 18; and
3. State Route 99 First Avenue Bridge South.
The bond authorization for Special Category C improvements is increased from $330 million to
$600 million, a $270 million increase.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.