SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6403

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 30, 2020

Title: An act relating to allowable uses for the multiuse roadway safety account.

Brief Description: Concerning allowable uses for the multiuse roadway safety account.

Sponsors: Senators Warnick, Van De Wege, Short and Takko.

Committee Activity: Transportation: 1/27/20.

Brief Summary of Bill

Increases the purposes for which the multiuse roadway safety account may be used.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff: Kim Johnson (786-7472)

Background: The multiuse roadway safety account was created in 2013. All receipts from on-road registration fees for wheeled all-terrain vehicles must be deposited into the account. The on-road registration fee for a wheeled all-terrain vehicle is $12. The account is appropriated and may only be used for grants administered by the Department of Transportation and issued to the following entities for specified purposes:

local governments to erect signs to alert motorists that wheeled all-terrain vehicles may be present on or crossing the roadway;
county governments for safety engineering analysis of mixed vehicle use on any road within the county;
Washington state patrol or local law enforcement for defraying the cost of any enforcement of the wheeled all-terrain use of public roadways; and
law enforcement to investigate accidents involving wheeled all-terrain vehicles.

According to the Department of Licensing, there were 12,601 wheeled all-terrain vehicles registered for on-road use in 2019.

Summary of Bill: Monies in the multiuse roadway safety account may also be used for grants to:

counties to perform maintenance on any road within a county that is authorized to be used by wheeled all-terrain vehicles in a travel or tourism route; and
purchase, print, develop, or use educational brochures or mapping technology that aids in the safety and direction of users of wheeled all-terrain vehicle routes.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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: There are many trails that are in my district. I support the addition of maintenance and education materials for use of these grant monies. I am very supportive of the ATV community.

In 2013, when the WATV legislation passed, the description of what the intent was for the use of these funds included maintenance and education. We are not trying to change the prioritization of the use of funds, only add these other activities that may also be funded with the account. We have some questions about the number of registrations there are for WATVs and the fund balance of the account. We have been working with the state DNR and U.S. Forest Service employees to promote recreational opportunities available to the public. One of the major obstacles we seem to face is funding, it is always needed. I am here in support so that we can appropriate funding for work by groups that will support work in our community. I would like to express how important this money is to Lewis County. We have been working with the county to show them that there is support for enforcement and signage if we are able to get the roads opened and develop some tourism routes. This bill will help us.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Judy Warnick, Prime Sponsor; Michael Richart, Cougar Area Trail Seekers; Chris Clowe, Cowlitz Basin ORV Club; Ted Jackson, WATV Access Coalition.

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