SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5422

   AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, MARCH 3, 1993

Brief Description:  Articulating desirable land use patterns in transit plans.

SPONSORS: Senator Skratek; by request of Department of Transportation

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5422 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Vognild, Chairman; Loveland, Vice Chairman; Skratek, Vice Chairman; Barr, Drew, Haugen, Nelson, Oke, Prentice, Prince, M. Rasmussen, Sheldon, and Winsley.

Staff:  Gene Baxstrom (786‑7303)

Hearing Dates: February 4, 1993; March 3, 1993

BACKGROUND:

Each year public transportation agencies are required to submit to the Department of Transportation a six-year transit development and financial program.  Currently, state law is not consistent regarding items to be included in annual updates of six-year programs, the manner by which financial data is reported, and regarding items to be included in the initial plan when a transit system is established.  Also, there is no explicit requirement for transit agencies to communicate to the cities and counties within which they operate the kinds of land use patterns which foster efficient transit service.

SUMMARY:

Requirements for the six-year transit development plans (TDPs) prepared by transit agencies are modified, and the format revised, for reports submitted beginning June 1, 1994.  A requirement is added that the TDP become a six-year comprehensive plan to at least address types of land use patterns in the service area, how those patterns affect transit services, and how transit service and land use compatibility can be enhanced through coordination with city and county land use planning efforts.  The plan must also address statewide transit goals, policies and emphasis areas contained in the state transportation policy plan.  The Department of Transportation is to determine the format for the plan in consultation with the affected municipalities and the Legislative Transportation Committee.

Clarification is provided that the annual transit report prepared by the Department of Transportation for the Legislature will be derived from transit agency transit development plans.  A requirement is added that the report address activities aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of transit services.

Responsibility for approval of initial TDPs, prepared by newly formed public transportation benefit areas or county transportation authorities, is shifted from the Transportation Commission to the Department of Transportation.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The dates are changed from June 1 to July 1 when annual transit development plans must be submitted to DOT, and from September 1 to November 1 when the statewide transit report must be submitted to the Legislature.  Transit agencies not submitting development plans are ineligible to impose the motor vehicle excise tax.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

This bill prescribes a public process to better define the respective transit roles of the federal, state, and local governments.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Duane Berentson, Secretary, Washington State Department of Transportation; Hugh Mose, President, Washington State Transit Association; Gary Molyneaux, Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle; Chuck Williams, C-Tran (Clark County Transit); Bob Mack, Spokane Transit; Ian McGowan, Pierce Transit