HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 6195

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 House Committee On:

Transportation

Title: An act relating to facilitating transportation projects of statewide significance.

Brief Description: Facilitating transportation projects of statewide significance.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Cleveland, Rivers and Wilson).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation: 2/21/18, 2/26/18 [DP].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Provides criteria for a transportation project of statewide significance.

  • Requires the Washington State Department of Transportation and certain local jurisdictions to take various steps regarding a transportation project of statewide significance.

  • Allows the Legislature to designate a transportation project of statewide significance.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 14 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Fey, Vice Chair; Wylie, Vice Chair; Chapman, Gregerson, Kloba, Lovick, McBride, Morris, Ortiz-Self, Pellicciotti, Riccelli, Tarleton and Valdez.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Orcutt, Ranking Minority Member; Hargrove, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Harmsworth, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Hayes, Irwin, Pike, Rodne, Shea, Stambaugh, Van Werven and Young.

Staff: David Munnecke (786-7315).

Background:

In 1997 a process was enacted to expedite the development of industrial projects of statewide significance. To qualify for designation as a project of statewide significance, a project must meet capital investment or job creation requirements. Border-crossing projects, private projects investing in manufacturing or research and development, projects that will provide a net environmental benefit, and projects that will further commercialization of an innovation may all be designated as projects of statewide significance. An application for designation as a project of statewide significance must be submitted to the Department of Commerce. The application must include a letter of approval from jurisdictions where a project is located and must commit to providing the local staff necessary to expedite the completion of a project.

Counties and cities requesting a project's designation as one of statewide significance must ensure the participation of local officials on the public-private team expediting a project's completion. The Office of Regulatory Assistance must provide facilitation and coordination services to expedite completion of industrial projects of statewide significance. The project proponents may provide the funding necessary for the local jurisdiction to hire the staff required to expedite the process.

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Summary of Bill:

Project Criteria.

A transportation project of statewide significance is defined as a project that will:

A transportation project of statewide significance must have a reasonable cost estimate to construct that is greater than $1 billion, whether or not it is constructed in phases.

Application and Application Process.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) must develop the application for designating a transportation project as a transportation project of statewide significance. The WSDOT may designate a transportation project as a transportation project of statewide significance upon review of an application and determination that it meets the criteria specified in statute and in rule.

An application to designate a transportation project as a transportation project of statewide significance must indicate how the project meets the criteria for a transportation project of statewide significance, as well as any other information required by the WSDOT. Such an application must also be accompanied by a letter of approval from each jurisdiction in which the project will be located, which must indicate support for the designation and that the jurisdiction has or will hire staff to expedite the project. Project proponents may provide funding for the hiring of such staff.

The Legislature may designate a transportation project as a transportation project of statewide significance. Such a project is not required to have an application or go through the application process.

Project Facilitation.

The WSDOT is required to assign a project facilitator or coordinator to every transportation project of statewide significance. This individual must assemble a team of state government, local government, and private officials to help meet the planning, permitting, and development needs of the project. The team must include those responsible for: (1) planning, permitting, and licensing; (2) infrastructure development; (3) workforce development services; (4) transportation services; and (5) the provision of utilities. The project facilitator or coordinator must also work with each team member to expedite their actions in furtherance of the project and coordinate any cross border communications, if applicable.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill will speed up planning for a new bridge across the Columbia River, once it is agreed upon, and it will signal Washington's commitment to this transportation challenge.

The current bridges need to be modernized to meet both the current and future needs on the corridor. The bridges would provide a statewide benefit, and they are the number one issue for new employers looking to locate in the region.

Everyone is enthusiastic about the benefit of this mega-project. This bill would be another step forward towards a comprehensive approach to replacing the bridges.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Ron Onslow, City of Ridgefield; Amber Carter, Identity Clark County and Port of Vancouver; and Mark Brown, City of Vancouver and Clark County Transportation Alliance.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.