HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESHB 2451

As Amended by the Senate

Title:  An act relating to transportation funding and appropriations.

Brief Description:  Making supplemental transportation appropriations.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Fisher, Chase and Ogden; by request of Governor Locke).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation:  3/12/02 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/13/02, 87-10.

Senate Amended.

Passed Senate: 3/14/02, 48-0.

Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill

$Makes supplemental transportation appropriations.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 26 members: Representatives Fisher, Chair; Cooper, Vice Chair; Lovick, Vice Chair; Mitchell, Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Armstrong, Edwards, Ericksen, Haigh, Hankins, Hatfield, Holmquist, Jackley, Jarrett, Mielke, Murray, Ogden, Reardon, Rockefeller, Romero, Schindler, Simpson, Skinner, Sullivan, Wood and Woods.

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

Background:

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

Summary of Bill:

The 2001-03 transportation budget totaled $3.403 billion.  The supplemental budget revises the enacted 2001-03 transportation budget for changes in revenue forecasts (March 2001 vs. February 2002), technical adjustments and emerging issues.  The revised 2001-03 transportation budget provides $4.153 billion in transportation funding.  This includes $800 million in bonds for the Tacoma Narrows bridge.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S):

Technical Updates:

Updated revolving fund adjustments and funding for bills not passed ($945,000)

Senate Amendments:

Funding Reductions:

Washington State Patrol ($455,000)

DOT Wahkiakum Ferry Operating Subsidy ($111,000)

Funding Additions:

Department of Licensing  $124,000

DOT Red Wolf Bridge Project $150,000

Construction Projects   $18 Million

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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

Testimony For:  Appreciated the approach taken in addressing the $100 million general fund reduction.

(With concerns) Alaskan Way Viaduct was not funded.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Paula Hammond, Washington State Department of Transportation; and Bill LaBorde, Transportation Choices Coalition.

(With concerns) Stephanie Bowman, Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce; Terry Finn, Port of Seattle; and Susan Crowley, city of Seattle