HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1394

As Passed House:

March 14, 2001

Title:  An act relating to clarifying the use of county road funds in salmon recovery projects.

Brief Description:  Clarifying the use of county road funds in salmon recovery projects.

Sponsors:  By Representatives Eickmeyer, Schoesler, Rockefeller, Sump, Jackley, Kessler, Cox and Dunshee.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation:  3/7/01 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/14/01, 98-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Expands the use of county road funds to permit the removal of barriers to fish passage as related to county roads.

$Includes removal of fish passage barriers and accompanying work as a road purpose for requirements of non-diversion of road funds.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 29 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; Ahern, Anderson, Armstrong, G. Chandler, Edmonds, Haigh, Hatfield, Hurst, Jackley, Jarrett, Mielke, Morell, Murray, Ogden, Reardon, Rockefeller, Romero, Schindler, Simpson, Skinner, Sump, Wood and Woods.

Staff:  Gene Baxstrom (786‑7303).

Background:

The use of county road funds is restricted to county road purposes. 

County roads can affect stream beds and fish passage in those streams.  The effects of a county road, including culverts, can impact stream beds beyond the county road right-of-way.

Summary of Bill:

Counties may use county road moneys for the removal of barriers to fish passage related to county roads.  This may include engineering services, stream bank stabilization, stream restoration, or channel modification.  These expenditures may be used for activities beyond the county right-of-way if caused by the county road or culvert.

Expenditure of county road moneys for removal of barriers to fish passage and accompanying streambed and streambank repair is declared to not be a diversion from road purposes.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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

Testimony For:  Provides counties with the flexibility to address fish passage barrier removal and address impacts of road culverts.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Jackie White, Washington State Association of Counties.