HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2909

                    As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to state highway bonds.

Brief Description:  Authorizing bonds for public‑private transportation initiatives.

Sponsors:  Representatives R. Fisher, Schmidt, Forner and Wood.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Transportation, February 7, 1994, DP;

Passed House, February 11, 1994, 95-0;

  Passed Legislature.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 26 members:  Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; Brown, Vice Chair; Jones, Vice Chair; Schmidt, Ranking Minority Member; Mielke, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Backlund; Brough; Brumsickle; Cothern; Eide; Finkbeiner; Forner; Fuhrman; Hansen; Heavey; Horn; Johanson; J. Kohl; R. Meyers; Orr; Patterson; Quall; Romero; Sheldon; Wood and Zellinsky.

Staff:  Eugene Schlatter (786-7316).

Background:  In 1993 the Legislature approved SHB 1006, establishing the public-private initiatives in transportation program.  This legislation provides a wide range of opportunities for private entities to undertake all or a portion of the study, planning, design, finance, construction, operation and maintenance of transportation systems and facilities.

The program authorizes the Department of Transportation to enter into agreements with private entities to develop transportation capital improvements and recover some or all the costs with user fees, tolls or other financial conventions.  The secretary is charged with administering the program and selecting up to six projects for implementation.  All selected projects are subject to approval by the Transportation Commission.

By definition, the state is expected to participate in some manner in the public-private partnership.  This participation, in some cases, will be financially related.  A financial commitment also improves the state's ability to compete for the federal funds envisioned under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Act of 1991.

Summary of Bill:  The issue and sale of $25 million in general obligation bonds is authorized for the implementation of the public-private initiatives program.

Legislative appropriation is required before any bonds are sold.  In making the appropriation, the Legislature must specify what portion of the net proceeds is provided for possible loans and what portion is provided for other forms of cash contributions.

The bond proceeds will be deposited in two places.  Those proceeds in support of possible loans are deposited in the transportation revolving loan account created in the transportation fund; proceeds in support of all forms of cash contributions are deposited in the transportation fund.

Principle and interest payments on loans from the transportation revolving loan account will be deposited in that account and available for the payment of principle and interest on the bonds sold.

Principle and interest on the bonds sold for the public-private initiatives program will be payable from revenues generated by the 0.2 percent motor vehicle excise tax for transportation purposes and deposited in the transportation fund.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The bill is necessary for the implementation of the public-private initiatives program.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Bob Cowan, Department of Transportation.