SENATE BILL REPORT
ESHB 1967
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 March 28, 2011
Title: An act relating to public transportation systems.
Brief Description: Concerning public transportation systems.
Sponsors: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Fitzgibbon, Armstrong, Liias, Nealey, Clibborn, Billig, Frockt and Reykdal).
Brief History: Passed House: 3/05/11, 64-34.
Committee Activity: Transportation: 3/28/11.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION |
Staff: Amanda Cecil (786-7429)
Background: Each April transit agencies in Washington are required to submit six-year transit development plans for that year and the ensuing five years, as well as system reports identifying public transportation services provided in the previous year and objectives for improvements. Similar reports are due to the Federal Transit Administration in September of each year.
Based on information that is submitted in the system reports, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) must prepare an annual report that summarizes individual public transportation systems. This report is due September 1 of each year to the Transportation committees of the Legislature and each state municipality.
Transit agencies own and maintain shelters and other amenities throughout their respective jurisdictions. Generally, when those facilities are located on the WSDOT property, the agency is charged annually for an airspace lease.
During 2010 the Joint Transportation Committee was directed to conduct a study to identify the state role in public transportation and to develop a statewide blueprint to guide public transportation investments. The ensuing report, Indentifying the State Role in Public Transportation, made a number of recommendations relating to the state's role, that include:
integrating public transportation into regional and statewide planning;
developing and promoting policies to encourage the use of all public transportation modes;
assessing the adequacy of funding sources and developing new funding strategies to address statewide concerns;
aligning report and data collection to provide a comprehensive and useful picture of transit; and
establishing a consistent set of measures to assess public transportation systems.
Passenger intermodal terminals are considered transportation facilities that are of statewide significance.
Summary of Bill: The bill as referred to committee not considered.
Summary of Bill (Proposed Amendments): The due date for six-year transit development plans and system reports is changed from April 1 to September 1.
The due date for the annual summary report prepared by WSDOT is changed from September 1 to December 1. WSDOT is to include information about other modes of public transportation, if information is available to them. This should include how those modes impact the transportation system and how public transportation helps the state meet the transportation system policy goals.
New state facilities that will be located in areas with transit service may only be sited after consultation with the transit agency to ensure that new facilities are located in areas that are adequately accessible by transit service.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This will save transit agencies' resources by matching their requirements with federal requirements.
CON: How does this solve the problem? We have too many reports now.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Fitzgibbon, prime sponsor; Michael Shaw, Washington Transit Association.
CON: Paul W. Locke, citizen.