SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5159

BYSenator DeJarnatt

Revising the reimbursement formula for the Puget Island-Westport ferry.

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 17, 1987; February 18, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Peterson, Chairman; Hansen, Vice Chairman; Tanner, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Barr, Bender, Conner, DeJarnatt, Garrett, Halsan, Patterson, Sellar.

Senate Staff:Gene Schlatter (786-7316); Brad Lovaas (786-7307)

                  April 8, 1987

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 6, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Wahkiakum County owns and operates a ferry between Puget Island and Westport, Oregon.  This system provides the only crossing of the Columbia River between the Astoria-Megler bridge and the Longview bridge.

This ferry service is beneficial to the state highway system by providing a bypass for State Route 4; the Department of Transportation is authorized to reimburse Wahkiakum County for 60 percent of any deficit incurred during the previous fiscal year.

SUMMARY:

Beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 1987, the Department of Transportation is to reimburse Wahkiakum County for 80 percent of any operating and maintenance deficit.

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Joe Florek, Wahkiakum County Commissioner; Ernie Gissler, CRAB Board

HOUSE AMENDMENT:

Fares established by Wahkiakum County for the Puget Island ferry are required to be comparable to the fares for similar state ferry system routes.