SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5326

BYSenators Nelson, Rasmussen, Bender, Vognild, Sutherland and Hansen; by request of Governor

Expanding membership of the transportation improvement board.

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 24, 1989; February 16, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5326 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Patterson, Chairman; Nelson, Vice Chairman; Barr, Bender, Conner, McMullen, Murray, Thorsness.

Senate Staff:Gene Baxstrom (786-7303)

                  February 21, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, FEBRUARY 16, 1989

BACKGROUND:

In 1988 the Legislature created the Transportation Improvement Board and the transportation improvement account.  The board replaced and assumed the duties of the Urban Arterial Board.  The Transportation Improvement Board also manages the transportation improvement account.  The board allocates monies in the account as follows:  (1) 87 percent for counties, cities over 5,000 in population, and transportation benefit districts for county, city, and multi-agency and suburban projects meeting certain statutory criteria; and (2) 13 percent for cities under 5,000 in population.

The 15-member board is composed of two county engineers or public works directors, the county road administration engineer, three elected county officials, three chief city engineers or public works directors, three elected city officials, and three representatives of the Department of Transportation.  These department representatives are the assistant secretary for highways, the assistant secretary for planning, research and public transportation, and the state aid engineer.  County and city appointments are made by the Secretary of Transportation, from a list of two nominees for each position submitted by the Washington Association of Counties and Association of Washington Cities respectively.

SUMMARY:

Two new members are added to the Transportation Improvement Board:  (1) A representative of a public transit system, who must be a general manager, executive director or transit director of a city-owned transit system, county transportation authority, metropolitan municipal corporation or public transportation benefit area; and (2) a representative of the private sector.

The membership may include city and county planning directors in lieu of city or county engineers.  A planning director is defined as a person responsible for city or county transportation and/or land use planning activities.

All appointments are made by the Governor effective July 1, 1990.  The transit appointment shall be from a list of two nominees submitted by the Washington State Transit Association.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

An additional private sector member is added, increasing the board membership to 18 and providing for two private sector members.  Private sector members are to be appointed, after solicitation by the Governor for nominations from statewide organizations representing diverse transportation interests.

The transit appointment is to be made after solicitation of nominations from a statewide organization representing transit interests.

One elected official from cities is to represent communities of under 5,000, one from cities between 5,000 and 20,000, and one from cities over 20,000, rather than the present two from cities over 20,000 and one from under 20,000.

The Governor may make appointments of new board members immediately.  Current board members are to serve the remainder of their terms.  Board appointments are to insure regional representation on the board.

Technical corrections are made.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Renee Montgelas, Governor's office; John Henchman, Department of Transportation; Steve Lindstrom, Washington State Transit Association; Duke Schaub, Associated General Contractors