FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 2066

                                  C 330 L 89

BYHouse Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Cantwell, Peery, Holland, Beck, Walk, Jones, Spanel, Ferguson, Cole, P. King, Winsley, Wood and Todd)

Creating an interim task force to evaluate school student transportation safety.

House Committe on Education

Senate Committee on Education

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

The transportation of children is a major task of school districts and a financial obligation for the state.  A changing modern transportation system requires that transportation standards for safety and funding formulas be reviewed periodically.

SUMMARY:

An interim task force on transportation safety is created to evaluate the safety of school student transportation systems.  The task force shall study:  a) pupil transportation including pedestrian needs, hazardous walking conditions, school crossing guards and other items; b) the need and funding for edge striping and curbing for roadways; c) safety standards for bus fleets and other vehicles used to transport students to and from school; and d) the need for infrastructure improvements in conjunction with housing developments.

The task force shall be composed of two members from the House of Representatives, one from each caucus appointed by the Speaker; two members from the Senate, one from each caucus appointed by the President of the Senate; the Superintendent of Public Instruction; the director of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission; and a representative of the housing industry, a county traffic safety engineer, a school board member, two local elected officials, a local law enforcement representative, and a member of the Washington State Parent Teacher Association.

The chair of the task force shall be one of the legislative members as determined by a vote.  The chair shall select members of the task force not selected by another person or organization.

The task force shall be staffed jointly by the Traffic Safety Commission and the Superintendent of Public Instruction.  The Governor may provide additional staff.  The report from the task force is due March 31, 1990 and the task force shall expire at that time.

Cities, towns, and counties shall adopt regulations and procedures as part of their short plat regulations to provide for consideration of the need for sidewalks and other planning features to ensure safe walking conditions for students who walk to and from school.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 98   0

      Senate    43     2 (Senate amended)

      House 97   0 (House concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 23, 1989