FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1256

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.

Background:

The Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board (FMSIB) was created by the Legislature in 1998 to implement the state's freight mobility strategic investment program. The FMSIB was directed to solicit, review, evaluate, and prioritize freight projects from public entities. The list of prioritized freight projects was then submitted to the Office of Financial Management (OFM) and the Legislature as part of its budget request. The FMSIB is comprised of 12 members representing various aspects of the state and transportation system including cities, counties, ports, railroads, trucking, shipping, the general public, the OFM, and the Washington State Department of Transportation. The FMSIB administers two freight mobility accounts in the state treasury: the Freight Mobility Investment Account; and the Freight Mobility Multimodal Account. Both accounts receive a statutory transfer of $6 million each biennium.

In January 2011 the Joint Transportation Committee completed a "Local Agency Efficiencies" study which evaluated funding and services offered by four state agencies providing local transportation services and included the FMSIB. One recommendation from the study stated the FMSIB should be given the ability to finalize its project list without legislative approval; this would speed project implementation and put the FMSIB more in line with other agencies that provide local transportation services.

Summary:

The requirement that the FMSIB submit its project list to the OFM and the Legislature as part of its budget request is removed. Additional references to a submitted project list as part of the budget process are also removed.

The Freight Mobility Investment Account and the Freight Mobility Multimodal Account, the two accounts the FMSIB administers for its capital program, are each modified to allow expenditures only to be used for freight mobility projects that have been approved by the FMSIB.

Votes on Final Passage:

House	88	9
Senate	46	1