Washington State House of Representatives	BILL ANALYSIS
Transportation Committee

HB 1682

Brief Description:  Removing barriers to transportation services provided by the private sector.

Sponsors:  Representatives Fisher, Mitchell and Poulsen; by request of The Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Authorizes private sector providers to offer transit service within an area served by a public transportation benefit authority (PTBA).

$Authorizes private sector providers to offer ferry service without regard to whether it competes with current service offered by Washington state ferries (WSF).

$Removes requirement that renter, lessee, or charterer of WSF vessels or facilities operate WSF labor contracts.

Hearing Date:  2/12/01

Staff:  Paul Neal (786‑7315).

Background: 

The Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation (BRCT) delivered its final report to the Governor and the Legislature in December of 2000.  Among the recommendations made by the BRCT was recommendation 9 entitled: ?Use the private sector to deliver projects and transportation services.@  Specifically, the BRCT recommendation 9b stated: ?Examine removing barriers preventing the private sector from providing transportation services in light of some public expressed interest in alternative services, which could include ferry, bus, or monorail.@

Barriers preventing or hampering private sector participation in providing bus or ferry service include:

$Prohibition against private operators providing bus service in an area covered by a PTBA unless the benefit area authorizes that service;

$Prohibition against providing ferry service within 10-mile radius of area currently served by WSF unless authorized by the Utilities and Transportation Commission;

$Requirement that persons renting, leasing, or chartering WSF vessels or facilities be bound by WSF labor agreements.

Summary of Bill: 

Removes the prohibition against private service providers offering bus service in an area covered by a transportation benefit area without the authorization of the PTBA.

Lifts the prohibition against providing ferry service within 10 miles of a crossing currently operated by the state.

Authorizes persons renting, leasing, or chartering WSF vessels or facilities to do so without being bound by existing labor agreements between WSF and its employees.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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