SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5731
BYSenators Bender and Garrett
Creating the transportation benefit board.
Senate Committee on Transportation
Senate Hearing Date(s):March 4, 1987
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Peterson, Chairman; Hansen, Vice Chairman; Tanner, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Barr, Bender, Conner, DeJarnatt, Garrett, Halsan, Patterson, Smitherman, West.
Senate Staff:Gene Baxstrom (786-7303)
March 20, 1987
AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 19, 1987
BACKGROUND:
Except for allocation of funds under the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB), transportation facility improvements necessary for economic development are not currently addressed in the allocation of state funds for state and local road assistance programs. Most state highway and road programs provide funding for road improvements based on current roadway conditions. These conditions include traffic accidents and fatalities and existing deficiencies such as congestion, alignment and pavement width or condition. In general, these criteria are used in prioritizing funding for projects on state highways, for the Urban Arterial Program and for the Rural Arterial Program.
The funds allocated through CERB are prioritized by the level of unemployment which currently exists in an area, relative to the number of jobs to be created by a proposed development. They are to be used for public facility improvements, including road improvements. A provision of the CERB program authorized $10 million for allocation to state highway improvements related to location of new businesses and expansion of existing businesses. No local match is required.
There is currently no state funding program which addresses needs simultaneously on state highways, county roads and city streets. Further, there is no program which fosters joint government cooperation and the participation of the private sector in funding transportation improvements necessitated by economic development.
This bill is one of five measures developed by the Task Force on Economic Development/Transportation Issues, established by the Legislative Transportation Committee in 1986, to address the transportation needs arising in areas of rapid economic growth.
SUMMARY:
A Transportation Benefit Board is created to allocate funds to local governments for the purpose of making road improvements necessitated by economic development. The Benefit Board consists of seven members, serving three year terms, with one each representing the Secretary of the State Department of Transportation and the Director of the Department of Trade and Economic Development. Five members are appointed by the Governor, including three private citizens and one each representing the Association of Washington Cities and the Washington State Association of Counties.
The Board is granted rule making power and shall appoint one of its members as Chair. The Departments of Trade and Economic Development and Transportation shall provide staff to the Board. Board member travel reimbursement and compensation not to exceed $100 per day is provided.
The Transportation Benefit Account (TBA) is created in the motor vehicle fund.
Local governments are authorized to apply to the Board for TBA funds for state or local road improvement projects. Eligibility for funding requires that the project: (1) be consistent with local, state, and regional transportation plans; (2) be necessitated by existing or reasonably foreseeable congestion levels attributable to economic development; (3) provide access to areas zoned and being used for business uses; and (4) be partially funded by local government or private development contributions.
By June 30 of each year, for the ensuing fiscal year, the Board shall allocate funds from the account for state and local transportation projects which qualify for the expenditure of motor vehicle funds. The Board shall allocate these funds according to the degree of local/private funding pledged by the applicant.
Within one year, a city, town, or county government receiving an allocation of funds shall establish a transportation benefit district and certify to the Board, pledged local/private funding for the project. The Board may reallocate funds to other projects when local funding has not been certified within one year after approval, or when the local government has not established a transportation benefit district.
Fiscal Note: requested
Senate Committee - Testified: Stan Finklestein, Association of Washington Cities; Jim Williams, Washington Association of Counties; John Doyle, Department of Transportation; Steve Callender, Snohomish County Economic Development Coordinator; Alex King Redmond Chamber of Commerce; Wes Bogart, Snohomish County Committee for Improved Transportation