SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5742
As of February 19, 2023
Title: An act relating to codifying certain existing grant programs at the department of transportation.
Brief Description: Codifying certain existing grant programs at the department of transportation.
Sponsors: Senators Kauffman, Liias and Lovick.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/20/23.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Codifies the Rideshare Grant Program, Special Needs Grant Program, the Freight Rail Investment Bank, Freight Rail Assistance Program, and the Bicycle Pedestrian Safety Grant at the Department of Transportation. 
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Staff: Jenna Forty (786-7755)
Background:

Rideshare Grant Program.  The Rideshare Grant Program has been included in the state transportation budget since the 2003-05 biennium. The rideshare or vanpool grant program provides support for transit agencies to replace or add rideshare vehicles. 

 

Special Needs Grant.  The Special Needs Grant Program has been included in the state transportation budget since the 2003-05 biennium. The Special Needs Grant Program provides support for transit agencies and non-profit providers of transportation. The appropriation is divided with 77 percent going to transit agencies and 23 percent going to nonprofit providers of special needs transportation.

 

Freight Rail Investment Bank and Emergent Freight Rail Assistance Program.  The Freight Rail Investment Bank (FRIB) and Freight Rail Assistance Program (FRAP) have been in the current structure of project evaluation since the 2011 transportation budget, following the development of a cost-benefit methodology developed during the 2008 interim, and in accordance with legislative priorities established in the rail preservation program.  The FRIB provides low-interest loans to publicly-owned railroads, port districts, rail districts and local governments. FRAP grants are available to both the public and private sectors.

 

Bicycle Pedestrian Grant Program.  The Bicycle Pedestrian Grant Program has been included in the state transportation budget since the 2005-07 biennial budget. The program awards grants to local jurisdictions to eliminate pedestrian and bicyclist fatal and serious injury crashes, build connected low stress walk and bike networks, and increase walking and biking.

 

Program2022 Supplemental Transportation Budget appropriations (in thousands)
Rideshare Grant$2,000
Special Needs - current law and new law$81,941
Freight Rail Investment Bank - new loans$5,098
Freight Rail Assistance Program - new projects$7,041
Summary of Bill:

Codifies the Rideshare Grant Program, Special Needs Grant Program, FRIB, FRAP, and the Bicycle Pedestrian Safety Grant Program at the Department of Transportation. 

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.