Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Transportation Committee |
HB 1233
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. |
Brief Description: Including health in the state transportation system policy goals.
Sponsors: Representatives Jinkins, Moscoso, Fitzgibbon, Sells, Morrell, Green, Dunshee, Van De Wege, Moeller, Bergquist, Pollet, Pedersen, Liias, Maxwell, Riccelli, Morris, Farrell, Hansen, Upthegrove, Reykdal and Fey.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/12/13
Staff: David Munnecke (786-7315).
Background:
There are currently six statewide transportation system policy goals for the planning, operation, performance of, and investment in, the state's transportation system. These policy goals are identified as follows:
Economic vitality: to promote and develop transportation systems that stimulate, support, and enhance the movement of people and goods to ensure a prosperous economy;
Preservation: to maintain, preserve, and extend the life and utility of prior investments in transportation systems and services;
Safety: to provide for and improve the safety and security of transportation customers and the transportation system;
Mobility: to improve the predictable movement of goods and people throughout Washington;
Environment: to enhance Washington's quality of life through transportation investments that promote energy conservation, enhance healthy communities, and protect the environment; and
Stewardship: to continuously improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of the transportation system.
The Office of Financial Management (OFM) is required to establish objectives and performance measures for all state transportation agencies in order to assure that transportation system performance attains the six policy goals established in statute. The OFM was required to submit to the Legislature and the Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) a baseline report on initial objectives and performance measures for attainment of the newly established policy goals during the 2008 legislative session. Subsequent attainment reports are required to be submitted to the Legislature and the WSTC in each even-numbered year thereafter.
The Washington State Department of Transportation is also required to perform certain duties to support attainment of the statewide transportation system policy goals. These duties include: (1) maintaining an inventory of the condition of structures and corridors, as well as a list of structures and corridors in most urgent need of retrofit or rehabilitation; (2) developing long-term financing plans that sustainably support ongoing maintenance and preservation of the transportation infrastructure; (3) balancing system safety and convenience to accommodate all users of the system to safely, reliably, and efficiently provide mobility to people and goods; (4) developing strategies to reduce vehicle miles traveled and considering efficiency tools to manage system demand; (5) promoting integrated multimodal planning; and (6) considering engineers and architects to design environmentally sustainable, context sensitive transportation systems.
Summary of Bill:
A seventh statewide transportation system policy goal is added as follows:
Health: to improve the health of Washington's citizens and reduce health care costs by considering health implications when designing, building, and maintaining Washington's transportation system.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.