SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2802

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

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 15, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass and refer to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by McCaslin, Chairman; Thorsness, Vice Chairman; DeJarnatt, Patrick, Sutherland.

Senate Staff:Barbara Howard (786-7410)

                  February 16, 1990

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 22, 1990; February 26, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Bailey, Bluechel, Cantu, Gaspard, Hayner, Lee, Moore, Newhouse, Niemi, Owen, Smith, Williams, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Mary Poole (786-7613)

                  February 27, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, FEBRUARY 26, 1990

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 region, and to recommend possible collaborative solutions.

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.  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:

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

      oImplement alternatives to the single-occupant automobile;

      oProvide transportation and parking criteria in the development of new or renovated state facilities; and

      oEstablish standards for the management and allocation of parking spaces, including a system of rates.

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 above that needed for debt service and any revenue from fees other than on the capitol campus goes 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.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE WAYS & MEANS AMENDMENT:

The Department of General Administration is required to consider market rates in the establishment of parking rates and to set the rates in a fair and equitable manner.

The bill is made contingent on funding in the budget.

Senate Committee - Testified: GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS:  No one

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  Wendy Holden, Director of GA; Kay Boyd, Mayor, City of Lacey; Steve Lindstrom, Washington State Transit Association