SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6118

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 of January 18, 2018

Title: An act relating to the membership of the Interstate 5 Columbia river bridge project joint legislative action committee.

Brief Description: Concerning the membership of the Interstate 5 Columbia river bridge project joint legislative action committee.

Sponsors: Senator Wilson.

Committee Activity: Transportation: 1/17/18.

Brief Summary of Bill

Defines a quorum for the joint Oregon-Washington legislative action committee as a majority of the eight Washington members, until such time as the Oregon Legislature appoints the eight Oregon members of the committee.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff: Kim Johnson (786-7472)

Background: In 2017, the Legislature established and invited Oregon to participate in a joint Oregon-Washington legislative action committee regarding the construction of a new I-5 bridge.

The committee was tasked with the following purposes:

work with both states' departments of transportation, transportation commissions, and stakeholders to begin a process toward project development;
review and confirm lead roles related to permitting, construction, operation, and maintenance of a future I-5 bridge project;
establish a process to seek public comment on the I-5 bridge project development plan;
work to ensure that sufficient resources are available to the state departments of transportation to inventory and utilize existing data to allow for non-duplicative and efficient decision-making regarding a new project;
examine all potential mass transit options available for a new I-5 bridge project;
utilize design build procurement or better innovative project delivery methods and determine the least costly, most efficient project management and best practices tools;
consider the creation of a Columbia River bridge authority to review bridge needs and make recommendations to both states regarding financing, timing of improvements, and operations of the bridges; and
report to the Legislatures of each state the findings and recommendations of the legislative action committee by December 15, 2018.

The joint legislative action committee is comprised of sixteen members, eight from each state. The majority leader and minority leader of the Senate of both states must appoint four members, two from each of the two largest caucuses. The Speaker and minority leader of the House of Representatives of both states must appoint four members, two from each of the two largest caucuses. Staff support must be provided by Senate Committee Services, the House Office of Program Research, and if the Oregon Legislature accepts the invitation to form the joint legislative action committee, the Oregon Legislative Policy and Research Office. Each meeting of the legislative action committee must allow an opportunity for public comment.

State agencies are required to provide reasonable technical support to the legislative action committee when requested.

The Washington contingent of the joint legislative action committee met in December 2017 to accept a report from the Washington State Department of Transportation regarding a planning inventory the agency had conducted documenting existing planning data related to the construction of a new Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River.

Summary of Bill: A majority of the eight members appointed by the Washington Legislature shall constitute a quorum of the committee for the purpose of transacting committee business, until the eight members from the state of Oregon are appointed by the Oregon State Legislature.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This is a simple bill that allows the Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee to continue to work until Oregon has the opportunity to appoint its members. This addresses a small issue that will help Washington members to continue to work to develop a process for creating a new I-5 Bridge.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Lynda Wilson, Prime Sponsor; Amber Carter, Identity Clark County.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.