SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6442

BYSenators Patrick, Talmadge, Lee, Thorsness, von Reichbauer, Moore, Nelson, Bailey, Bluechel, Johnson, Barr, Patterson, Amondson and Cantu

Establishing the northwest regional international airport commission and the inland empire/puget sound super speed interconnect company.

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 5, 1990

Senate Staff:Cathy Mayo (786-7304)

AS OF FEBRUARY 15, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Projections show that the annual number of passengers passing through Sea-Tac will increase from the current 15 million to 22 million by 1995.  Sea-Tac's operational capacity is projected to be reached by the year 2000.  This and other major airports in the region are surrounded by residential/business development, allowing little room for expansion without significant environmental impact.

In contrast, the development of the existing Grant County Moses Lake airfield facility (which already has four runways and 400 acres of open ground) into a major international airport would allow planners to use already sited land space and runways and design the best possible air terminal for the region's current and future needs. 

Inclement weather conditions have closed the Grant County airport for an average of 24 hours per year while Sea-Tac was closed for 104 hours in 1987, and 77 hours in 1988.

High speed rail service already plays a major role in the intercity passenger travel of Europe and Japan.  Interest in high speed rail has increased in the U.S. in recent years and a number of studies have been instituted to assess its potential application.  The state of Florida has established a high speed rail commission and a high speed rail corporation, and is now receiving applications for the franchise to finance and operate a 300 mile high speed rail system.

In Washington State, an east/west interconnect by a high speed rail system traveling at 280 MPH will take approximately 45 minutes.

SUMMARY:

Legislative findings are declared which justify creation of the airport at Moses Lake rather than any expansion of the Seattle-Tacoma Airport.

An 18 month moratorium is placed on expansion of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. 

The Governor is provided the authority to establish a public nonprofit corporation entitled the Inland Empire/Puget Sound Super Speed Interconnect Company.  Private investments are encouraged by allowing the directors of the nonprofit company to supersede certain environmental regulations with the consent of the governor.

The Secretary of the Department of Transportation shall provide such assistance and support to the port of Moses Lake in its effort to seek international port of entry status.

The Northwest Regional International Airport Commission is established, consisting of nine members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.  The commissioners shall serve six-year terms, except that two of the first commissioners shall be appointed for two-year terms and another two of the first commissioners shall be appointed for four-year terms.  No more than five members may be of the same political party, and at least four members must be from east of the Cascade mountains.  The commission shall determine the most appropriate method of making the Moses Lake airport the northwest regional international airport and shall report its findings to the 1991 Legislature.

An appropriation of $1 million is authorized from the general fund to the commission for the purpose of determining the most appropriate method of making the Moses Lake airport the northwest international airport and preparing the report to the 1991 Legislature.  All or part of the funds may be used by the commission for actual planning, design, or property acquisition.

The Governor is authorized to form a public nonprofit corporation which shall be known as the Inland Empire/Puget Sound Super Speed Interconnect Company.  The Governor shall appoint a board of nine directors.  The directors shall serve six-year terms, except that two of the first directors shall be appointed to two year terms and two of the first directors shall be appointed to four-year terms.  At least four of the directors shall come from eastern Washington, and no more than five may be of the same political party. 

The purpose of the nonprofit corporation is to cause the construction and operation of a rapid transit rail system between Seattle and Moses Lake.  The directors shall determine the most appropriate method of providing for the construction and operation of a rapid transit rail system between the two points and shall report its findings to the 1991 Legislature.  The corporation may acquire and transfer all forms of property, including condemnation, for the purpose of obtaining the use of necessary rights of way.  It may enter into contracts with private companies to assist in the financing, construction, and operation of the rapid rail transit system.  It may proceed with the development of the rail system without regard to the state environmental policy if the directors and the Governor declare the proposal to be environmentally sound.

An appropriation of $1 million from the general fund is authorized for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, to the Inland Empire/Puget Sound Super Speed Interconnect Company for the purpose of determining the most appropriate method of constructing and operating a rapid transit rail system between Seattle and Moses Lake and preparing a report to the Legislature on it findings.  All or part of the funds may be used by the company for planning, design, or property acquisition.

The act shall take effect immediately.

Appropriation:    $1 million for the Northwest Regional Airport Commission; $1 million for the Inland Empire/Puget Sound Super Speed Interconnect Corporation

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available