HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1203

                    As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to state highway bonds.

Brief Description:  Authorizing state highway bonds.

Sponsors:  Representatives Pflug, Hurst, Mitchell, Miloscia, Fortunato, Stensen and Cairnes.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Transportation:  1/28/99, 2/2/99 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  2/15/99, 95-0.

Passed Senate:  5/18/99, 45-1.

Passed Legislature.

                 Brief Summary of Bill

$Increase current bond authorization from $240 million to $330 million.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 27 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; Buck; DeBolt; Fortunato; Haigh; Hatfield; Hurst; Lovick; McDonald; Mielke; Mitchell; Morris; Murray; Ogden; Pflug; Radcliff; Romero; Schindler; Schual-Berke; Scott; Skinner and Wood.

Staff:  Brad Lovaas (786-7307).

Background:

The Special Category "C" program was established to finance major highway construction projects that could not be accomplished as part of the regular construction program.  The three projects selected at that time were:  (1) 1st Avenue South bridge in Seattle; (2) SR 18 from Black Diamond vicinity to approximately I-90 in southeast King County; and (3) Division/Ruby Street couplet in Spokane and the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the North-South Corridor.

In 1990 the Legislature dedicated 3/4 of 1 cent of the motor vehicle fuel tax to the Special Category "C" program.  In 1993 the Legislature authorized the sale of $240 million of general obligation bonds for the construction of the three projects mentioned above, and pledged 3/4 of 1 cent to debt service.

Summary of Bill:

The bond authorization for the Special Category "C" program is increased by $90 million, from $240 million to $330 million.  This additional bond authorization is applied to projects in the Special Category "C" program.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Provides extra financing for needed Special Category "C" projects.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Pflug, prime sponsor; and Amy Arnis, Washington State Department of Transportation.