S-3597.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 6212

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     2000 Regular Session

By Senators T. Sheldon, Haugen and Oke

Read first time 01/10/2000.  Referred to Committee on Transportation.

Authorizing private passenger-only ferries.

    AN ACT Relating to private passenger-only ferries; and adding a new section to chapter 81.84 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 81.84 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) If the department of transportation is no longer operating a passenger-only ferry crossing upon Puget Sound or any of its tributary or connecting waters, a commercial ferry operator certificated or applying for certification under this chapter may apply to the commission for a permit to operate a passenger-only ferry service at the crossing where passenger-only service was discontinued by the department.

    (2) The commission may, upon written petition of a commercial ferry operator certificated or applying for certification under this chapter, and upon notice and hearing, grant a franchise permit to operate a passenger-only ferry service at a ferry crossing that was previously operated by the department of transportation.  In granting the franchise permit the commission shall consider, at a minimum, the impact to the continued operation of the auto ferry service by the department and the impact on transportation congestion mitigation.  The commission shall act upon a request for a franchise permit within ninety days after the conclusion of the hearing.  A franchise permit is effective for a period of three years.

    (3) The commission may adopt rules for operation of passenger-only ferry service, to include rules concerning safety, quality of service, levels of service, and fares.  Compliance with all rules is a requirement for continuation of a franchise permit.

    (4) The commission may grant only one franchise permit for passenger-only ferry operation at a particular ferry crossing.

    (5) A franchise permit holder may lease passenger-only ferries and facilities from the department of transportation as long as the leasing of the ferries or facilities does not conflict with the operation of the Washington state ferry system.

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