SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 6580

As Passed Senate, February 12, 2010

Title: An act relating to creating the local bridge restoration and replacement account.

Brief Description: Creating the local bridge restoration and replacement account.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Swecker and Haugen).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Transportation: 1/27/10, 1/28/10 [DPS].

Passed Senate: 2/12/10, 46-0.

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6580 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Marr, Vice Chair; Becker, Berkey, Delvin, Eide, Hatfield, Jacobsen, Kastama and Kilmer.

Staff: Amanda Cecil (786-7429)

Background: When an emergency or disaster causes damage to local roadways, federal assistance can be requested from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Some FEMA funds require a local match or may not be sufficient to cover the total cost of the replacement or restoration project.

Summary of Substitute Bill: A local bridge restoration and replacement account is created that may be used for restoring and replacing local bridge projects receiving federal emergency funds that are not sufficient to fund the project. Any interest earned on the balance of this account must be deposited into the account.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: During the flood in 2007 Lewis County lost three bridges within 2 miles of each other. A portion of this damage is eligible for FEMA funds to replace them, but the reimbursement will only cover 75 percent of the total cost to replace the existing structures. The replacement bridges have to be built to current standards. This leaves a funding short fall of $3 million.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Bill Schulte, Lewis County Commissioner.