Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Transportation Committee

HB 2124

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 Summary of Bill

Prevents a member of a regional transportation planning organization (RTPO) representing a government or organization outside Washington from serving as a voting member of the RTPO or any of its boards.

Background:

Regional transportation planning organizations (RTPO) are voluntary associations of local governments within a county, or within geographically contiguous counties, created primarily to prepare regional transportation plans, to ensure local and regional coordination of transportation planning, and maintain a six-year regional transportation improvement program.

In urbanized areas, the RTPO is the same as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) designated for federal transportation planning purposes, some of which are bi-state in nature. When voting on matters solely affecting Washington, an RTPO must obtain a majority vote of the Washington residents serving on the RTPO.

Currently, four MPOs include out-of-state representation: (1) Walla Walla Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization, (2) Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council, (3) Lewis Clark Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization, and (4) Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments.

Summary of Bill:

A member of an RTPO representing a government or organization outside Washington may not serve as a voting member of the RTPO or any of its boards.

The statute requiring a majority vote of the Washington residents on an RTPO board for matters solely affecting Washington is repealed.