SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5758

As of February 12, 2001

Title:  An act relating to distribution of federal transportation funding.

Brief Description:  Regulating federal transportation fund distribution.

Sponsors:  Senators Patterson, Horn, Prentice, McAuliffe, Finkbeiner, Shin, Winsley and Haugen; by request of The Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  2/13/01.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff:  Jennifer Strus (786‑7484)

Background:  The Legislature and the Governor formed the Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation (BRCT) in 1998 to assess the local, regional and state transportation system; ensure that current and future money is spent wisely; make the system more accountable and predictable; and prepare a 20-year plan for funding and investing in the transportation system.  The BRCT made 18 final recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature.

In Recommendation 14, the BRCT recommended that the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) simplify transportation funding distributions for best results.  Specifically, the BRCT recommended that pass-through funds be distributed according to a new formula that directs funds on a geographic basis to counties and cities within counties and takes into account a number of other factors.  In addition, the BRCT recommended that WSDOT develop a new method for joint regional programming of federal funds with the state, local jurisdictions, transit agencies and other stakeholders participating in a regional prioritization process that directs federal funds to major corridors and facility clusters.

Summary of Bill:  WSDOT must develop a formula that distributes federal pass-through funds on a geographic basis to counties and cities within counties and takes into account lane miles, classification and pavement type, population, and usage and is adjusted for changes in road jurisdiction at least once every five years.

WSDOT must develop, with the assistance of state, local jurisdictions, transit agencies, and other stakeholders, a method for joint regional programming of federal funds to major corridors and facility clusters.

Federal transportation funds must be managed only by jurisdictions and agencies that are ?certification accepted.@

WSDOT must create one-stop grant funding centers form which all federal and state funds are disbursed.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 1, 2001.

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