SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 537

BYHouse Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Schmidt, Zellinsky, Brough, Sayan, Schoon, Meyers, May, P. King and Pruitt)

Creating a single ferry advisory committee.

House Committe on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):April 2, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Peterson, Chairman; Hansen, Vice Chairman; Tanner, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Barr, Bender, Garrett, Halsan, Johnson, Nelson, Patterson, Smitherman, von Reichbauer, West.

Senate Staff:Brad Lovaas (786-7307)

                  April 3, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, APRIL 2, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Transportation must consult with local community groups when conducting its reviews of ferry tariffs and charges.

Current law provides for the legislative authority of Clallam, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, and Snohomish Counties to each appoint a five-member committee to serve as an advisory committee to the Department.  At least one member of each advisory committee must be a representative of an established ferry user group, one representing ferry- dependent business, and one from a local governmental transportation planning body.  In addition, all members must be residents of the county upon whose advisory committee they sit, and not more than three members of any one committee shall at the time of their appointment be members of the same major political party.

SUMMARY:

Regional ferry advisory committees are created.  The members of the committee are appointed by the Governor.  The membership is to consist of three persons from each of the following terminal areas:  Anacortes, Bremerton, Edmonds, Kingston, Mukilteo, Port Townsend, Seattle, Southworth, Vashon Island, Whidbey Island, and Winslow and five persons from the San Juan Islands as follows:  one each from Lopez, Shaw, Orcas, and San Juan Islands plus one "at-large" member.  The initial terms are staggered and political balance among the members is required.

The committees serve as advisors to the Department of Transportation when it conducts its reviews of ferry tariffs, charges and service levels.  The committees are required to report periodically to the governor and the department on current provisions in law and make specific recommendations by route.

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Representative Karen Schmidt, prime sponsor