FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 2802

                                  C 206 L 90

BYRepresentatives Todd, Fraser, McLean, Belcher, Locke, Brumsickle and Silver; by request of Department of General Administration

Enlarging the department of general administration transportation management authority.

House Committe on State Government

Rereferred House Committee on Capital Facilities & Financing

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations and Ways & Means

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

In March 1989, the director of the Department of General Administration (GA) convened a transportation work group with representatives of state and legislative agencies, local transit, and local governments in Thurston County to identify transportation and parking issues in the Thurston County region, and to recommend possible collaborative solutions.  The work group's interim report includes recommendations for:  location selection criteria for state facilities located off the capitol campus that take transit and access into account; ways to improve parking management, in particular to deal with the loss of parking due to construction of the new East capitol campus facilities; and possible initiatives to enhance overall transportation management, such as developing alternatives to single-occupancy vehicles and coordinating planning between the state and local governments.

Under current law, GA has authority to control traffic and regulate parking on the state capitol grounds and at the East capitol campus site, but not at leased facilities elsewhere in the county or state.  State offices housing 17,000 employees are scattered at over 220 locations in Thurston County, most in leased facilities.

GA sets rates for parking on the capitol campus and East capitol campus site, with the proceeds going to the State Capitol Vehicle Parking Account.  The rates are to be "equitable and consistent," and take into account the market rate of comparable privately owned rental parking.  Fees collected in the account go to debt service on revenue bonds for parking facilities.  Any interest accrued on the account balance goes to the general fund.

SUMMARY:

The general purpose of the act is to give the Department of General Administration authority to develop parking and transportation management programs, ensure improved access to state government by customers, employees, and visitors, and promote alternatives to the single-occupant automobile in a cost-effective and coordinated manner.

The director of GA is given the following responsibilities:

1) To develop and implement a comprehensive state agency transportation and parking management program, in consultation with state agencies, employees, local and regional governments, and businesses;

2) To implement alternatives to the single-occupant automobile;

3) To provide transportation and parking criteria in the development of new or renovated state facilities; and

4) To establish standards for the management and allocation of parking spaces, including a system of rates that is fair and equitable and takes market rates into consideration.

An operational unit to carry out the assigned responsibilities is established in the department, but the director may also choose to delegate to a state agency the authority to develop parking criteria and standards for managing and allocating parking.

The director must establish fees and charges for parking and transportation programs.  Revenues collected from parking fees on the capitol campus must be applied first to debt service as specified in revenue bonds issued for new parking facilities.  Any excess revenue and any revenue from fees other than fees for parking on the capitol campus go to the newly created Transportation and Parking Management Account.  GA administers the account, which may be spent only after appropriation.  The funds in the account must be used for operation and administration of transportation and parking programs administered by GA or by other state agencies as part of the overall management program.  Revenues collected for programs that are administered by state agencies must be applied to the program for which they were collected.

The provision of law creating the State Capitol Vehicle Parking Account and assigning GA responsibility for establishing employee parking fees on the capitol grounds and the East capitol campus site is repealed.

The provisions of this bill are null and void unless funding is specifically provided for them in the Supplemental Operating Budget.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 95   0

      Senate    47     0 (Senate amended)

      House 94   0 (House concurred)

EFFECTIVE:This act is null and void as no appropriation was made in the Supplemental Operating Budget.