HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2990

As Reported by House Committee On:

Transportation

Title:  An act relating to continuity of transportation efficiencies.

Brief Description:  Continuing transportation efficiencies.

Sponsors:  Representatives Schindler, Holmquist, Mielke, Ericksen, Mitchell and Morell.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation:  2/26/02, 2/27/02 [DPS].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

$The null and void clause applicable to sections 201 through 204 of ESHB 2304, relating to the Department of Transportation contracting out construction engineering services, is amended so that the provisions contained in these sections do not expire if new transportation revenues discontinue in the future.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 16 members: Representatives Fisher, Chair; Cooper, Vice Chair; Lovick, Vice Chair; Edwards, Haigh, Hatfield, Jackley, Jarrett, Murray, Ogden, Reardon, Rockefeller, Romero, Simpson, Sullivan and Wood.

Minority Report:  Do not pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Mitchell, Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Armstrong, Ericksen, Hankins, Holmquist, Mielke, Morell, Schindler, Skinner and Woods.

Staff:  Reema Griffith (786‑7301).

Background:

ESHB 2304 passed the Legislature and was signed by the Governor on January 30, 2002.  The bill contained multiple null and void clauses to ensure that portions of the act did not become law should there be no new transportation revenues available by January 1, 2003.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The null and void clause applicable to sections 201 through 204 of ESHB 2304, relating to the Department of Transportation (DOT) contracting out construction engineering services, is amended so that the provisions contained in these sections do not expire if new transportation revenues discontinue in the future.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The original bill repealed two null and void clauses contained in ESHB 2304 related to DOT contracting out provisions and Labor and Industries provisions.  The substitute bill retains both null and void clauses, but amends one of the clauses by removing language which would have caused the DOT provisions related to contracting out to expire if/when new transportation revenues come to an end.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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

Testimony For:  The substitute bill keeps in place important null and void clauses but also ensures that, if we have new revenue, provisions like contracting out will remain in place regardless of the status of those revenues down the road.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Amber Balch, Association of Washington Business; and Mark Johnson, National Federation of Independent Business.