HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1942

                       As Passed House

                       March 13, 1993

Title:  An act relating to transportation facilities of state-wide significance.

Brief Description:  Facilitating state‑wide transportation planning.

Sponsors:  Representatives R. Fisher, Quall, Locke and Johanson.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Transportation, March 2, 1993, DP;

Passed House, March 13, 1993, 97-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 25 members:  Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; Jones, Vice Chair; Schmidt, Ranking Minority Member; Mielke, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Brough; Brumsickle; Cothern; Eide; Finkbeiner; Forner; Hansen; Heavey; Horn; Johanson; J. Kohl; R. Meyers; Miller; H. Myers; Orr; Patterson; Quall; Sheldon; Shin; Wood; and Zellinsky.

Staff:  Roger Horn (786-7839).

Background:  RCW 36.70A.200 allows for the identification of facilities of state-wide significance that may be defined as essential public facilities.  City and county comprehensive plans must include a process for identifying and siting essential public facilities, and local comprehensive plans and development regulations may not preclude the siting of essential public facilities. 

Among the essential public facilities identified in statute are airports and state or regional transportation facilities.  However, no process is in place for determining which airports and transportation facilities are to be considered essential public facilities.

Summary of Bill:  Transportation facilities and services of state-wide significance are identified.  Any improvements to transportation facilities and services of state-wide significance included in the state-wide multimodal transportation plan shall be considered essential public facilities under RCW 36.70A.200.

The Department of Transportation, in cooperation with cities, ports, transit agencies, regional transportation planning organizations, and the Department of Community Development, shall make recommendations as to any other transportation facilities and services of state-wide significance that may be identified as essential public facilities.  In developing the recommendations, the siting of airports and water ports must be considered.  Recommendations must be submitted to the Legislature by December 15, 1993.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The identification of essential public facilities related to transportation is an important state function that is appropriately addressed in the state-wide multimodal transportation plan.  It is important to have a process for identifying, siting and improving transportation facilities and services of state-wide significance.  This measure will help to preserve freight rail corridors.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Charlie Howard, Department of Transportation; Joe Ganem, Rails to Trails Conservancy; Dave Williams, Association of Washington Cities; and Pat Jones, Washington Public Ports Association (with concerns).