HOUSE BILL REPORT

 

 

                                    HB 1355

 

 

BYRepresentatives G. Fisher, Smith, Sprenkle, Inslee, Crane and Sayan; by request of Governor Gardner

 

 

Improving state motor vehicle operations.

 

 

House Committe on State Government

 

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (10)

      Signed by Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; Anderson, Vice Chair; McLean, Ranking Republican Member; Hankins, R. King, Morris, O'Brien, Rector, Sayan and Silver.

 

      House Staff:Barbara McLain (786-7135)

 

 

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

 

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (26)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair; Grant, Vice Chair;H. Sommers, Vice Chair; Silver, Ranking Republican Member; Appelwick, Belcher, Bowman, Braddock, Brekke, Bristow, Brough, Dorn, Ebersole, Ferguson, Hine, Holland, May, McLean, Nealey, Padden, Rust, Sayan, Spanel, Valle, Wang and Wineberry.

 

House Staff:      Randy Acker (786-7136)

 

 

           AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS MARCH 4, 1989

 

BACKGROUND:

 

State motor vehicle operations are designed to provide a support service to Washington state employees.

 

A 1974 Legislative Budget Committee Audit discovered no single agency responsible for state motor vehicle services.  The audit led to the creation of the Motor Transport Division within General Administration to manage a state motor pool.  The Transport Division provides transportation services to any state agency, maintains a motor pool of 1,120 vehicles in Olympia and Seattle, and determines rental rates to be charged to agencies to cover motor pool costs.  The Office of Financial Management establishes rules to govern acquisition, operation, and use of state vehicles.

 

In February 1988, the Washington State Efficiency and Accountability Commission initiated a study to analyze state motor vehicle operations.  A motor vehicle study team, consisting of state and private sector representatives, coordinated the study and developed recommendations to improve service, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency in state motor vehicle operations.

 

The team's June 1988 report contained the following findings:

 

            oIn addition to General Administration's motor pool, 78 agencies and institutions of higher education own and manage motor vehicle fleets.  Agency fleet sizes range from one to 1,600 vehicles. A total of 17 agencies have their own maintenance and service capabilities, while others coordinate upkeep through the state motor pool.

 

            oWashington State currently owns 8,900 passenger vehicles, with total annual operating and repair costs of over $31,000,000.

 

            oThe state also manages approximately 400 fueling sites.  The underground tanks used at the fueling sites are susceptible to corrosion and leaking, and the state is subject to Federal regulations concerning improper waste management and hazardous substances.

 

            oIn 1987 there were 1,224 accidents involving Washington State vehicles, costing the state $750,900 in auto repairs.

 

            oPassenger vehicles are identified as state property through the use of transparent decals placed on the doors of the vehicle.  Upon resale, the markings must be removed, adding an additional upkeep cost.

 

The Efficiency and Accountability Commission determined that statewide there is a void of uniform data necessary for overall management of the motor vehicle asset.

 

SUMMARY:

 

BILL AS AMENDED:  The Department of General Administration is to establish policies, procedures and standards to apply to motor vehicle operations in all state agencies and institutions of higher education.

 

A Motor Vehicle Advisory Committee and an operational unit within the Department of General Administration are established to develop and coordinate state-wide motor vehicle management.  The Director of General Administration has the power and duty to:

 

            oEstablish and operate a centralized information system to track and coordinate motor vehicle use.

 

            oProvide an updated inventory of state-owned fuel storage tanks.  The Director is to work with the Department of Ecology to prepare a plan and funding proposal for the inspection and repair or replacement of state owned fuel storage tanks, and for clean-up of fuel storage tanks where leaks have occurred.  The proposal is to be submitted to the Governor by December 1, 1989.

 

            oDevelop and implement a state-wide purchasing, distribution, and accounting system for motor vehicle fuel.

 

            oEstablish minimum standards for safe-driving programs within state agencies.

 

            oRequire state employees to provide both a Washington State driver's license and proof of the completion of safe driving instruction prior to operating a state-owned passenger vehicle.

 

            oEstablish standards for efficient and economical replacement of passenger motor vehicles.

 

            oDevelop a uniform system for marking passenger motor vehicles designed to clearly identify the vehicle as property of the state and to enhance the resale value of the vehicle.  The identifying marking must be conspicuously displayed on the lower-left corner of the rear window.

 

The Director may employ the necessary personnel to carry out the motor vehicle functions within an operational unit of General Administration.  No more than three employees within this unit may be exempt from the civil service law.

 

The State Motor Vehicle Advisory Committee is created to advise the Director on motor vehicle policies and issues.  The Committee is to consist of no more than 15 members appointed by the Director.

 

The Director is authorized to charge state agencies a user fee, based on the number of vehicles owned, to fund the administrative costs of the motor vehicle services provided by General Administration.  These funds will be deposited into the motor transport account.

 

By December 31, 1992, the Director is to report to the Governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature on the status of the motor vehicle programs, the program's cost-effectiveness, and recommendations for statutory changes.

 

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The Director of General Administration has authority to require proof of both a Washington State driver's license and completion of safe driving instruction before a state employee operates a state-owned motor vehicle.  Language is clarified through a technical change.

 

CHANGES PROPOSED BY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS:  The requirements that state employees complete a safe driving training program before driving a state car is deleted.  It is replaced by a requirement that the Director of General Administration, after consultation, develop a schedule for employees to participate in safe driving instruction.  Employees' driving records are to be considered when setting standards and frequency of safe driving instruction.  The appropriation is deleted.

 

Appropriation:    (State Government)  Unspecified appropriation to the Department of General Administration from the Motor Transport Account.

 

(Appropriations)  No appropriation.

 

Fiscal Note:      Requested February 14, 1989.

 

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 1989.

 

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (State Government)  Representative Greg Fisher, Prime Sponsosr; Lucille Christenson, Office of Financial Management, and Efficiency Commission; Skip Houser, Office of Financial Management, and Efficiency Commission.

 

(Appropriations)  Skip Houser, Office of Financial Management, and Efficiency Commission

 

House Committee - Testified Against:      (State Government)  None Presented.

 

(Appropriations)  None Presented.

 

House Committee - Testimony For:    (State Government)  Not only will this bill improve motor vehicle operations, it is also estimated that this proposal could save state government $7.2 million annually.

 

(Appropriations)  This bill is the result of extensive study by the Efficiency Commission.  It will improve motor vehicle operations, result in safer operation of vehicles, and save the state money.

 

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (State Government)  None Presented.

 

(Appropriations)  None Presented.