VETO MESSAGE ON HB 1798-S

                   May 18, 1999

To the Honorable Speaker and Members,

  The House of Representatives of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am returning herewith, without my approval as to section 4, Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1798 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to coordination of special needs transportation;"

     Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1798 expands the duties of the Agency Council on Coordinated Transportation (ACCT) to include administering the program, managing grants, and providing assistance to local efforts.  It also directs ACCT to develop a process for working with local agencies.

     Section 4 of the bill relates to the composition of ACCT and voting status of its members.  While I applaud the participation of legislators on the Council, it is more appropriate to maintain the current statutory voting conditions.  The users and providers of these services are in the best position to determine the merits of various grant proposals.  The legislators already have a vote on these matters during their legislative deliberations.

     For these reasons, I have vetoed section 4 of Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1798.

     With the exception of section 4, Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1798 is approved.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Gary Locke

                   Governor