HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1267

As Reported by House Committee On:

Transportation

Title:  An act relating to transportation funding and appropriations.

Brief Description:  Making transportation appropriations for 2001‑03.

Sponsors:  Representatives Fisher (co‑prime sponsor), Mitchell (co‑prime sponsor) and Lambert; by request of Governor Locke.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation:  4/9/01, 4/30/01 [DPS].

  Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

$Provides 2001-03 biennial transportation budget appropriations to agencies with transportation related activities.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 16 members: Representatives Fisher, Democratic Co‑Chair; Mitchell, Republican Co‑Chair; Cooper, Democratic Vice Chair; Ericksen, Republican Vice Chair; Hankins, Republican Vice Chair; Lovick, Democratic Vice Chair; Anderson, Hurst, Jarrett, Marine, Morell, Ogden, Rockefeller, Simpson, Wood and Woods.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Ahern, Armstrong, G. Chandler, Edmonds, Hatfield, Jackley, Mielke, Murray, Reardon, Romero and Sump.

Staff:  Gary Lebow (786‑7304) and Jerry Long (786-7306).

Background:

The transportation budget provides appropriations to the major transportation agencies: Department of Transportation (DOT); Washington State Patrol (WSP); Department of Licensing (DOL); Transportation Improvement Board (TIB); County Road Administration Board (CRAB); and Traffic Safety Commission.  The budget also provides appropriations out of the transportation funds to many smaller agencies with transportation functions.

Summary of  Substitute Bill:

Provides biennial appropriations for the 2001-03 biennium transportation budget.

Department of Transportation - $2.622 billion; Washington State Patrol - $249 million; Department of Licensing - $168 million; Transportation Improvement Board - $214 million; County Road Administration Board - $81 million; Traffic Safety Commission - $9 million; and Small agencies with transportation functions - $8 million.  Total appropriations - $3.351 billion.

Provisos have been provided for tax distributions, transfers, and appropriation clarification.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The Governor=s proposed current law budget (original bill) provided $3.271 billion in transportation funding as compared to the substitute bill which provides $3.351 billion in transportation funding.

Appropriation:  The sum of $3.351 billion for the 2001-03 biennium.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  Provides only for maintenance of roadways and to maintain the ferry system.  Also provides funding for needed equipment at the Washington State Patrol.

(Concerns) Uses the funding that is available, but does not address transportation needs in congestion and roadway improvements.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  (Supports) Eric Robertson, Washington State Patrol; Mark Brown, city of Vancouver; Fred Stephens, Department of Licensing; and Ron Newbry, Washington Economic Development Association.

(Concerns) Gretchen White, Department of Transportation; and Terry McCarthy, Washington State Ferries.