SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 859

BYHouse Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Day, Dellwo, D. Sommers, Patrick, Fisher, Fisch, Vekich, Schmidt, Gallagher, Baugher, Walk, Doty, Bumgarner, Moyer, Silver, Taylor and Padden)

Removing the tolls from the Spokane river toll bridge.

House Committe on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 30, 1987

Majority Report:     Do pass.

     Signed by Senators Peterson, Chairman; Hansen, Vice Chairman; Tanner, Vice Chairman; Conner, DeJarnatt, Garrett, Halsan, Johnson, Smitherman, von Reichbauer, West.

Senate Staff:Larry Plummer (786-7321)

                March 31, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, MARCH 30, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Washington State Department of Transportation is required by statute to fix and maintain tolls on the Maple Street Bridge in Spokane, to produce revenues sufficient to pay all expenses of operating and maintaining the bridge, and to pay the principal and interest on bonds remaining from construction financing.  State motor vehicle funds are also pledged for any amounts for which the toll revenues are insufficient to pay.

SUMMARY:

Removal of tolls from the Maple Street Bridge in Spokane is required.  This is accomplished in the following manner.

The bridge is placed under the sole ownership of the state, along with responsibility to pay all expenses of operating, maintaining, managing, and repairing the bridge, including all insurance costs.

Bonds remaining from bridge construction financing continue to have state motor vehicle funds pledged for payment of principal and interest when due.  This allows flexibility for continuing scheduled debt service payments or for appropriation of sufficient motor vehicle funds to retire the bonds sooner.

Moneys remaining in the Spokane River Toll Bridge Account are retained by the state for the purpose of paying the principal and interest on remaining bonds.

Fiscal Note:    available

Senate Committee - Testified:   Representative Bill Day; Representative Dellwo; John Henchman, Department of Transportation