SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5458

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 of February 25, 2009

Title: An act relating to economic stimulus transportation funding and appropriations.

Brief Description: Concerning economic stimulus transportation funding and appropriations.

Sponsors: Senators Marr, Swecker, Haugen, King and Shin; by request of Office of Financial Management.

Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/26/09.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff: David Ward (786-7341)

Background: On February 17, 2009, Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and on February 18, 2009, the President signed the Act into law. It is expected that Washington will receive about $492 million of these funds for highway purposes, of which $151 million would be distributed to local governments, metropolitan planning organizations, and other local transportation entities, with the remaining $341 million distributed to the state.

In addition to the surface transportation grants, ARRA includes several national discretionary programs to be administered by federal agencies, including an $8 billion high-speed rail program; a $1.5 billion national surface transportation program; a $1.3 billion program for capital grants to Amtrak; and a $60 million ferry grants program.

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.

Summary of Bill: The bill as referred to committee not considered.

Summary of Bill (Proposed Substitute): The Washington State Department of Transportation is authorized to spend up to $341.4 million in federal funding provided through the ARRA.

Authorized spending for the 2007-2009 Transportation Budget reduces current spending by over $600 million while adding ARRA authority of $341 million. The sum of these actions reduces the 2007-09 biennial budget from $7.4 billion dollars to a final biennial level of $7.1 billion dollars. (See committee supporting documents for more detail.)

Appropriation: Various. Please refer to the bill.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.