SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6291

BYSenators von Reichbauer, Bender, Sellar, Johnson and Gaspard;by request of Department of Transportation

Expanding state relocation assistance and realty purchase policies.

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 19, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Patterson, Chairman; Barr, Conner, Hansen, Kiskaddon, Metcalf, Owen, Sellar.

Senate Staff:Gene Baxstrom (786-7303)

                  March 4, 1988

House Committe on State Government

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 12, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Congress passed the Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act of 1987 in April 1987.  Title IV of the Act contained amendments to the Federal Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition programs.

This state's relocation assistance--real property acquisition statutes (Chapter 8.26 RCW) are based on the Federal Uniform Act.  This is in order to enable state governmental agencies to obtain federal financial assistance in the costs of some projects and to establish uniformity between all agencies of the state concerning the acquisition of lands and relocation assistance for persons displaced in connection with public works programs and projects.

The federal amendments create substantive differences between the existing authority of state agencies as spelled out in Chapter 8.26 RCW, and the requirements now contained in the new federal act.  It is necessary to make amendments to the state's relocation assistance statutes, to promulgate new WAC regulations, and allow local governments to revise local policies by April 2, 1989 to avoid delays in obtaining federal financial assistance for projects involving federal aid.

SUMMARY:

Numerous changes are made in the state's relocation assistance--real property acquisition law to bring it into conformance with federal law.  Statutory changes include more comprehensive definitions, changes in eligibility for relocation assistance for small businesses and farms, and changes in levels of payments for displaced homeowners, renters, and business enterprises.  These reimbursements include payment for relocation, mortgage rate changes, and temporary housing.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 15, 1988

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Senate Committee - Testified: Clyde Slemmer, Department of Transportation; Bob Stevenson, Department of Transportation

HOUSE AMENDMENTS:

Legislation intended to bring this state's Relocation Assistance Act into conformance with federal law is amended to allow nongovernmental entities with the power of eminent domain under state law to elect not to comply with acquisition laws in cases in which no federal funds are involved.

Technical changes are added which (1) clarify the definitions of "displaced person" and "acquiring agency", and (2) clarify that relocation assistance payments may be withheld if the recipient is receiving similar payments under other federal, state, or local programs.