SENATE BILL REPORT

ESSB 5366

BYSenate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Nelson and Bender; by request of Legislative Transportation Committee)

Revising administration of public transit authorities.

Senate Committee on Transportation

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

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5366 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 7, 1990

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 6, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Statutes governing public transportation benefit areas (PTBA) provide minimal reference to the hiring, qualifications and removal of a general manager of the agency.  The relationship between the governing authority, the PTBA, and county transportation authorities, and the agencies' general managers and staff is not well defined.

A Joint Subcommittee on Public Transportation of the House and Senate Transportation Committees reviewed public transportation system operations during the interim and recommended that legislation be developed to address these concerns.

SUMMARY:

The process for appointment and removal of a general manager by a public transportation benefit area authority is set forth.  The manager must be chosen solely on the basis of executive and administrative qualifications.  The manager may serve an indefinite term with a specific process for removal, or the authority may contract for the services.  Removal of a general manager requires 60 days notice, including a 30-day period for the manager to request a public hearing.  Persons serving on the authority are prohibited from becoming general manager for a period of one year after their term of office.

The duties of a general manager are set forth.  The division of responsibility between the legislative authority and the executive functions of the general manager is prescribed.  The authority is to elect a chair annually, and the chair's duties are set forth.  Provision is made for filling a vacancy of the chair.

The legislative authority and general manager provisions established for public transportation benefit areas also apply to county transportation authorities.

Personal service contract requirements based on state personal service requirements are prescribed for public transportation benefit areas and county transportation authorities.

A severability clause is provided.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 23, 1989

Senate Committee - Testified: Steve Lindstrom, WSTA