FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5373

PARTIAL VETO

                             C 6 L 89 E1

BYSenate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Patterson, Bender, Nelson and Conner; by request of Governor)

Making transportation appropriations for the 1989-91 biennium.

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committe on Transportation

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

The Legislature must make biennial appropriations for each agency's operating budget and capital improvements.  The transportation budget provides funding for the agencies and programs supported by transportation revenues.

SUMMARY:

The state transportation agencies omnibus capital and operating appropriations act for 1987-89 and 1989-91 fiscal periods is enacted.

The $2.0 billion budget is 6.4 percent below the Governor's proposal and 4.6 percent above 1987-89.  It is less than the growth of inflation.  Highlights of the budget include the following:

For the Traffic Safety Commission, $1.2 million is provided for the continuation of 16 DWI programs throughout the state.

For the County Road Administration Board, current level funding is provided.

For the Transportation Improvement Board, current level funding for the urban arterial program is provided but there is no funding for the transportation improvement program created in 1988.

For the Washington State Patrol, the following are provided:

     Restoration of the 1.2 percent cut made by the Governor of $1.8 million;

28 additional traffic troopers for $2 million;

Expansion of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) program for $.6 million;

15 additional commercial vehicle enforcement officers for $1.3 million;

Expansion of the license fraud program for $.6 million;

$.6 million for an additional five tow truck inspectors;

$2.3 million for 3 percent salary increase, effective January 1, 1990 and January 1, 1991, in addition to any increase in the omnibus budget;

$.1 million for headquarters planning ($24 million was requested for construction of a facility) and $.3 million is added for cost of repairs to existing aircraft since the agency request for $1.8 million for a new airplane was not granted.

For the Department of Licensing, the following are provided:

     Restoration of the 1.2 percent cut made by the Governor for all department divisions except Management Services - $1.1 million;

$7.0 million for completion of County Auditors Automated Program;

$.4 million for front license tab;

Two additional driver license stations (Marysville, Bothell);

$.2 million for a new motorcycle awareness program (paid for by increased motorcycle fees);

$3.6 million for new, self-supporting commercial driver's license program.

The following are provided for the Department of Transportation - Marine Division:

     $3.6 million is appropriated for additional services for Edmonds/Kingston and Anacortes/San Juan routes.  Additional passenger-only vessel, terminal, and service increases are not provided.

The following are provided for the Department of Transportation - Highways:

     Highway preservation and interstate completion are continued at the current level.  The added capacity program, "Cat C," comes to an end.

The following are provided for the Department of Transportation - Other Programs:

     $.8 million for further development of the Transportation Executive Information System;

$2.0 million for completion of the central accounting system;

$3.6 million to DOT operating programs to recover the across the board 1.2 percent reduction taken by the Governor.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   41    5

First Special Session

     Senate   26   19

     House 82 12

EFFECTIVE:May 20, 1989

Partial Veto Summary:  The Governor vetoed sections 6(3), 9(3), 10(3) and (4), 12(1) and (2), 28(6), 38, and 67.  The effect of these vetoes includes:

     Elimination of the requirement that all users of State Patrol aircraft be charged a pro rata operating, maintenance and capital cost;

Elimination of two budget/policy analyst positions for the Department of Licensing;

Elimination of the transfer of all unexpended public safety and education account monies to the highway safety fund;

Elimination of the requirement that the Department of Licensing provide a project management plan for the integration of the driver and vehicle computer systems;

Elimination of the requirement that $.3 million of appropriation authority granted to the Department of Licensing be used exclusively for additional data storage capacity and implementation of the federal odometer act;

Elimination of the requirement that the Attorney General submit an annual report regarding each transportation related tort claim;

Elimination of the lid on revolving fund charges to those levels assumed in development of the budget;

Repeal of the tie between passage of HB 1825 and the high capacity transportation account appropriation.

(See VETO MESSAGE)