| VETO MESSAGE ON ESSB 6001 |
| April 4, 2014 |
| To the Honorable President and Members, |
| The Senate of the State of Washington |
| Ladies and Gentlemen: |
| I am returning herewith, without my approval as to Sections 201(5); 205(8); 206; 207(8); 208(13); 208(16); 213(7); 306(24); and 310(7)(a) and (b), page 66, line 29 through page 67, line 16, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 6001 entitled: |
"AN ACT Relating to transportation funding and appropriations." |
| Section 201(5), pages 5-6, Traffic Safety Commission, Funding for Target Zero Task Forces |
| This section would require the Traffic Safety Commission to continue to provide funding to counties for target zero task forces during the 2013-15 biennium based on levels that were in place on January 1, 2014. The Commission has conducted an extensive Lean-based review of the most effective strategies for implementing traffic safety programs locally. The proviso would affect the Commission's ability to allocate funding to achieve the greatest effect on safety. For this reason, I have vetoed Section 201(5). |
| The Traffic Safety Commission will continue to conduct stakeholder meetings in the counties that could be affected by this approach. |
| Section 205(8), pages 13-14, Transportation Commission, Statewide Transportation Plan |
| The Legislature provided funding for the Transportation Commission to complete the statewide transportation plan and fulfill current federal planning requirements by June 30, 2015. New federal rules will go into effect in the spring of 2016 and will require, among other things, an integrated performance measurement system. It is prudent to wait until the new federal regulations are released before updating the plan. For this reason, I have vetoed Section 205(8). |
| Section 206, page 14, Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board, Appropriation Reduction |
| The proposed appropriation level reduces the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board's (Board) 2013-15 biennial budget by $25,000. This reduction results in an appropriation insufficient to sustain current operations. For this reason, I have vetoed Section 206. |
| During the remainder of the biennium, the Board will maintain a staffing level of two (2) FTEs after the current director retires. The Board will submit staffing and resource allocations for the ensuing biennium with its biennial budget submittal. |
| Section 207(8), page 16, Washington State Patrol, Security for United States Open |
| This proviso directs the Washington State Patrol (WSP) to coordinate and support local law enforcement at the United States Open national golf championship in Pierce County in providing traffic control and "other activities" within its existing budget. WSP services for such a significant event are likely to require additional appropriations from the Legislature. For this reason, I have vetoed Section 207(8). |
| WSP will work with Pierce County to develop a plan with respective responsibilities and estimated costs for further consideration in the 2015 legislative session. |
| Section 208(13), page 20, Department of Licensing, Intermittent-Use Trailer License Plates (E2SHB 1902) |
| This proviso provides appropriation authority for the implementation of Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1902, intermittent-use trailer license plates. E2SHB 1902 did not pass, so this subsection is unnecessary. For this reason, I have vetoed Section 208(13). |
| Section 208(16), page 20, Department of Licensing, Washington State Tree License Plates (EHB 2752) |
| This proviso provides appropriation authority for the implementation of Engrossed House Bill 2752, Washington state tree license plates. EHB 2752 did not pass, so this subsection is unnecessary. For this reason, I have vetoed Section 208(16). |
| Sections 213(7), page 30, Department of Transportation, Fish Barrier Removals (2SHB 2251) |
| This proviso directs the Department of Transportation to maximize available resources for eliminating fish passage barriers if Second Substitute House Bill 2251 did not pass. Second Substitute House Bill 2251 was approved during the 2014 legislative session, so this subsection is moot. For this reason, I have vetoed Section 213(7). |
| Section 306(24), pages 57-58, Department of Transportation, Quarry Road Transfer |
| This proviso directs the Department of Transportation (Department) to accept the transfer to the state highway system of Quarry Road. This proviso is unnecessary because the Department has reached agreement with Snohomish County to transfer Quarry Road to the state highway system. For this reason, I have vetoed Section 306(24). |
| Section 310(7)(a) and (b), page 66, line 29 through page 67, line 16, Department of Transportation, Rail Cost-Benefit Methodology |
| This proviso directs the Department of Transportation (Department) to use a cost-benefit methodology tool developed in 2008 for rail projects, which is the existing standard for departmental operations in analyzing Freight Rail Investment Bank and Freight Rail Assistance Program projects. Given this is current practice, there is no need to direct the Department to use this tool. For this reason, I have vetoed Section 310(7)(a) and (b), page 66, line 29 through page 67, line 16. |
| If for any reason a different approach is used, I am directing the Department to report to both the Office of Financial Management and legislative transportation committees about why it used an alternative approach. |
| For these reasons I have vetoed Sections 201(5); 205(8); 206; 207(8); 208(13); 208(16); 213(7); 306(24); and 310(7)(a) and (b), page 66, line 29 through page 67, line 16 of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 6001. |
| With the exception of Sections 201(5); 205(8); 206; 207(8); 208(13); 208(16); 213(7); 306(24); and 310(7)(a) and (b), page 66, line 29 through page 67, line 16, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 6001 is approved. |
| Respectfully submitted, |
| Jay Inslee |
| Governor |