SENATE BILL REPORT

ESHB 2066

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

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 29, 1989; March 30, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Lee, Vice Chairman; Bender, Benitz, Gaspard, Metcalf, Murray, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Susan Finkel (786-7483)

                  March 31, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 30, 1989

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) need for requiring infrastructure improvement in conjunction with housing development.

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 or her designee; the director of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission or his designee 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 Legislative Transportation Committee and the Senate and House Education Committees.  The report from the task force is due March 31, 1990 and the task force shall expire at that time.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested February 21, 1989

Appointments by Legislature Required:     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.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

City, town, or county legislative bodies shall include in their short plat regulations and procedures provisions for considering sidewalks and other planning features that assure safe walking conditions for students who walk to and from school.

City, town, or county legislative bodies shall determine if appropriate provisions are made for sidewalks and other planning features that assure safe walking conditions for students who walk to and from school when approving or disapproving the establishment of a subdivision or dedication.

Senate Committee - Testified: Representative Maria Cantwell, prime sponsor; Dick Randell, Classified Employees