SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 1433

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Highways & Transportation, March 1, 2004

Title: An act relating to designation of highways of statewide significance.

Brief Description: Designating highways of statewide significance.

Sponsors: Representatives Cooper, Pearson, Lovick and Kristiansen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Highways & Transportation: 2/18/04, 3/1/04 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Horn, Chair; Benton, Vice Chair; Swecker, Vice Chair; Esser, Haugen, Jacobsen, Kastama, Mulliken, Murray, Oke, Poulsen and Spanel.

Staff: Janice Baumgardt (786-7319)

Background: The Transportation Commission or the Legislature may designate highways of statewide significance. If the commission designates a highway of statewide significance, it must submit a list of such facilities for adoption by the Legislature.

Designation of a highway route as a highway of statewide significance means the improvements along the route are higher priority. It also means that the segments are essential public facilities under the Growth Management Act (GMA) plans, GMA concurrency requirements do not apply, and the state is responsible for establishing level of service standards. Additionally, regional transportation investment district legislation requires that 90 percent of district revenues be expended along highways of statewide significance.

Summary of Amended Bill: The Legislature designates as highways of statewide significance those designated by Transportation Commission Resolution Number 660 as adopted on January 21, 2004. The designation of State Route 509 as a highway of statewide significance is removed (it is included in the commission's resolution).

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill: State Route 9 (from State Route 522 to the Canadian border) and State Route 704 (in Pierce County, commonly known as the cross-base highway and yet to be built) are designated as highways of statewide significance.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: The Transportation Commission looked at criteria in the statutes, input from the Legislative Transportation Committee workgroup, and input from public hearings to establish the Highways of Statewide Significance designation recommendations.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: PRO: Charlie Howard, Washington State Department of Transportation.