SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6702

As Passed Senate, February 17, 2004

Title: An act relating to the commute trip reduction program.

Brief Description: Updating the commute trip reduction program.

Sponsors: Senators Murray, Horn, Poulsen, McAuliffe, Kline and Berkey.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Highways & Transportation: 2/4/04, 2/5/04 [DP].

Passed Senate: 2/17/04, 49-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass.

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

Staff: Tami Neilson (786-7452)

Effective Date: The Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) law was passed in 1991. The goals of the program are to reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, and petroleum consumption through employer-based programs that decrease the number of miles traveled per employee.

Under statute, counties with a population over 150,000, and each city or town within those counties containing a major employer (100 or more full-time employees at a single worksite who begin their scheduled workday between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.) must adopt by ordinance and implement a CTR plan for all major employers by October 1, 1992. Other jurisdictions and employers may voluntarily comply with the CTR laws. Goals for reducing the miles traveled per employee are based on figures from 1992.

Eight counties were required to join the program when the law was implemented. Two additional counties have since met the population threshold.

Summary of Bill: Within 18 months of reaching the population threshold, counties, and cities and towns within them with major employers, required to comply with CTR statutes must adopt by ordinance and implement a CTR plan for major employers. Goals for reducing the miles traveled per employee are based on the calendar in which a jurisdiction adopts a CTR plan.

By December 1, 2004, the Legislative Transportation Committee must complete a study of CTR, which includes analyzing the types of employers that must comply, location of employers, and congestion levels.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: This bill provides necessary updates to the CTR program. A pilot program for Benton County and a joint study with the CTR Task force would further address the current situation.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Judy Giniger, Washington State Department of Transportation (pro).