HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1060

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                       Transportation

Title:  An act relating to expanding the list of transportation supportive uses permitted in transportation centers.

Brief Description:  Using transportation centers.

Sponsors:  Representatives Mitchell, Fisher, K. Schmidt, Radcliff, Carlson, Tokuda, Scott, Skinner, Hankins, Cooper, Romero and Ogden.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Transportation:  1/26/99, 1/28/99 [DP].

                 Brief Summary of Bill

$Expands the purposes for which intermodal transportation centers may be used, beyond those primarily related to travel services, to include commercial retail services, offices and other uses convenient for public transportation users.

$Removes authority for public agencies to operate services at transportation centers.

$Requires that agencies operating transportation centers comply with applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 25 members:  Representatives Fisher, Democratic Co-Chair; Schmidt, Republican Co-Chair; Cooper, Democratic 1st Vice Chair; Edwards, Democratic 2nd Vice Chair; Ericksen, Republican Vice Chair; Hankins, Republican Vice Chair; Chandler; Fortunato; Haigh; Hatfield; Hurst; Lovick; McDonald; Mielke; Mitchell; Morris; Murray; Ogden; Pflug; Romero; Schindler; Schual-Berke; Scott; Skinner and Wood.

Staff:  Gene Baxstrom (786-7303).

Background:

Current law provides that cities, towns, counties, or transit agencies which are authorized to operate public transportation systems may construct or otherwise acquire intermodal transportation centers.  These agencies may operate these centers, including letting space for public or private purposes.

Services which may be provided at transportation centers are limited to transportation-associated activities, including taxis, auto rental, trains and buses, travel agents, food, restrooms, parking, and light freight and packages.

Proposals for transportation centers have included other commercial/retail activities for the convenience of the users of the transportation system.

Summary of Bill:

The purposes for which transportation centers may be used, beyond those primarily related to travel services, are expanded to include commercial retail services, offices, professional services, financial institutions, or any other use necessary and convenient for the users of the public transportation system operating at the transportation center.

This authority for local agencies to operate the services and other activities at transportation centers is eliminated.  Those local agencies may only lease facilities developed in conjunction with the centers.

Local agencies developing transportation centers must comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Will permit development at centers which is attractive to the patrons of transit services and will increase system use.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  (support)  Dan Snow, Washington Transit Association; and Ron Main, Regional Transit Authority-Sound Transit.