Brief Description: Requiring the procurement of new ferry vessels that carry no more than one hundred motor vehicles.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen, Spanel, Shin and Rockefeller; by request of Governor Gregoire).

Senate Committee on Transportation

Background: In November of 2007, the Washington State Department of Transportation (DOT) ordered the state's four eighty-year old steel electric class vessels to be immediately removed from service because of corrosion and pitting discovered in the vessel hulls.

Summary: The Legislature declares that an expedited procurement is required for the construction of new vessels to replace the steel electric class vessels.

The DOT is directed to construct one or more ferry vessels for service on routes that require vessels that carry no more than 100 vehicles. The vessels must be constructed within the boundaries of Washington State. Exempt from the build-in Washington requirement are equipment furnished by the state and standard manufactured components, products and systems. Generally, warranty work must also be performed within the boundaries of Washington.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      40   8
House      80   17

Effective: February 14, 2008