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 Reported by Senate Committee On:

Transportation, March 29, 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, 3/29/11 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.

Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; White, Vice Chair; King, Ranking Minority Member; Fain, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Delvin, Ericksen, Hill, Hobbs, Prentice, Ranker, Shin and Swecker.

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 (Recommended 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.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE (Recommended Amendments as Passed Committee):

The following requirements are removed:
1. the Secretary of WSDOT is to designate an employee in each region who would be responsible for integrating public transportation planning into state transportation activities and fostering greater partnerships between the state and public transportation service providers;
2. WSDOT is to include a section in its biennial report to the Governor and the transportation committees of the Legislature regarding the integration of public transportation planning into state transportation activities and the fostering of greater partnerships between the state and public transportation service providers; and
3. the Office of Financial Management is to establish objectives and performance measures regarding public transportation and report on progress towards achieving them in its biennial attainment report.
Changes the requirement that all new state facilities be sited in areas adequately accessible by transit service to the requirement that new state facilities in a jurisdiction with transit service can only be sited after consulting with the transit agency to ensure that the new facility is adequately accessible by transit service.
Removes the intent language that directs WSDOT not to charge transit agencies for the use of state right-of-way and the definition of major passenger intermodal terminals expansion to include park and ride lots and transit centers.

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 on Proposed Amendments Heard in Committee: 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.