SENATE BILL REPORT

ESB 5335

BYSenators Smitherman, McCaslin, Cantu and Rasmussen; by request of Governor

Improving state motor vehicle operations.

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 8, 1989

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

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

Senate Staff:Barbara Howard (786-7410); Desley Brooks (786-7443)

                  February 8, 1989

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 21, 1989; February 22, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

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

Senate Staff:Steve Jones (786-7440)

                  March 9, 1989

AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 8, 1989

BACKGROUND:

As a result of a 1974 Legislative Budget Committee audit, the Motor Transport Division was created within the Department of General Administration to manage state motor vehicle services.  The division provides transportation services to any state agency, maintains a pool of 1,120 vehicles in Olympia and Seattle, and determines rental rates to cover motor pool costs.  The Office of Financial Management adopts rules to govern acquisition, operation and use of state vehicles.

In February of last year, the Washington State Efficiency and Accountability Council established a motor vehicle study team, consisting of state and private sector representatives.  The team's goal was to analyze state motor vehicle operations, and develop recommendations to improve service, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency.

The team's June report contained the following findings:

      -- In addition to General Administration's motor pool, 78 agencies and institutions of higher education manage motor vehicle fleets.  Fleet sizes range from one to 1,600 vehicles.  Seventeen agencies have their own maintenance and service operations; others rely upon the motor pool for upkeep.

      -- The state currently owns 8,900 passenger vehicles, with annual capital expenditures of $10 million and annual operating and repair costs of more than $21 million.

      -- The state also manages approximately 400 bulk fuel sites.  The underground storage tanks at the sites are susceptible to corrosion and leaking.  Federal and state regulations concerning waste management and hazardous materials are becoming increasingly strict.

      -- Washington State vehicles were involved in 1,224 accidents in 1987, at a cost of $750,900 for repairs.

      -- State passenger vehicles are identified as state property by transparent decals on the side doors of the vehicles.  When the vehicles are sold, the need to remove the decals lowers resale values.

SUMMARY:

The Department of General Administration is given responsibility to establish policies, procedures and standards to apply to motor vehicle operations for all state agencies and institutions of higher education.  The director is required to:

      -- Establish and operate a centralized information system to track and coordinate motor vehicle use.

      -- Provide a current inventory of state-owned fuel storage tanks.  In coordination with the Department of Ecology, a plan and funding proposal must be prepared to inspect and repair or replace state-owned tanks, as well as for cleanup where leaks have been discovered.  The proposal must be submitted to the Governor by December 1, 1989.

      -- Develop and implement a statewide purchasing, distribution, and accounting system for motor vehicle fuel.

      -- Establish minimum standards for safe driving programs within state agencies.

      -- Develop standards for efficient and economical replacement of passenger motor vehicles.

      -- Develop a uniform marking system for passenger vehicles.  The identifying markings must be conspicuously displayed on the lower left corner of the rear window, with the agency name or "State Motor Pool," indication that the vehicle is for official business only, and the Washington State seal or other appropriate insignia.

The Motor Transport Division remains the operational unit within General Administration.  No more than three employees in the division may be exempt from civil service.  No equipment owned or operated by other agencies is transferred to General Administration.  The Automobile Policy Board is abolished.

The State Motor Vehicle Advisory Committee is established to advise the director on major policies and issues.  The committee, consisting of no more than 15 members, is appointed by the director and must include representatives of state agencies, institutions of higher education and the private sector who are experienced in motor vehicle management.  The chair is designated by the Governor.

The director is authorized to set rates for vehicle use, based on the number of vehicles owned, to fund administrative costs of the program.  Rates are established after consultation with state agencies and approval by the director of OFM.  Receipts are deposited in the motor transport account.

By December 31, 1992, the director must report to the Governor and the appropriate committees of the Legislature on the status of the motor vehicle programs, its cost effectiveness, and any recommendations for statutory change.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    yes

Fiscal Note:      available

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on July 1, 1989.

Senate Committee - Testified: GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS:  Lucille Christenson, Efficiency Comm. (pro); Wendy Holden, Director, GA (pro); Richard L. Teske, U.S. West (pro); Skip Houser, Efficiency Comm. (pro)

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  Skip Houser, Efficiency Comm. (pro); John Nicholson, Deputy Director, GA (pro)