HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2730
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported by House Committee On:
Transportation
Title: An act relating to the provision of ferry service by port districts.
Brief Description: Addressing the provision of ferry service by port districts.
Sponsors: Representatives Rolfes, Appleton and Hudgins.
Brief History:
Transportation: 1/21/08, 1/29/08 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 23 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Flannigan, Vice Chair; Ericksen, Ranking Minority Member; Schindler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Armstrong, Campbell, Eddy, Herrera, Hudgins, Jarrett, Kristiansen, Loomis, Rolfes, Sells, Simpson, Smith, Springer, Takko, Wallace, Warnick, Williams and Wood.
Staff: David Munnecke (786-7315).
Background:
In 2006 the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) was directed to
establish a grant program to provide operating or capital grants for passenger-only ferries
(POF) operated by counties, county ferry districts, and public transportation benefit districts.
At the same time, the Washington State Ferries (WSF) were required to collaborate with
counties, county ferry districts, and public transportation benefit districts offering POF
service for terminal operations at the WSF's existing terminals.
Port districts currently may acquire, lease, construct, purchase, maintain, and operate
passenger-carrying vessels on interstate navigable rivers of Washington and intrastate waters
of adjoining states.
Summary of Bill:
The area in which port districts may offer ferry service is expanded to include the Puget
Sound.
The types of entities eligible to receive grants for operating and capital expenditures from the
Ferry Grant Program are expanded to include POF systems operated by port districts.
Port districts are added to the list of POF service providers with which the WSF system must
collaborate for terminal operations.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill was brought on behalf of the people of Kingston, who were supposed to
get passenger-only ferry service more than a decade ago. This bill would allow the Port of
Kingston to offer passenger-only ferry service to people in Kingston and the surrounding
communities.
The Port of Kingston was established in 1919 in order to bring passenger-only ferry service to
the region. The federal government has awarded the Port of Kingston a $3.5 million grant to
provide for the capital needs of a passenger-only ferry service. There were some questions as
to whether funds for operations of such a service can come to a port, and this bill is designed
to resolve them.
A business plan has been written that focuses on providing passenger-only ferry service to
people from all over the region. This is an effort to start a self-sustaining business, but
approximately $900,000 will be needed from the state over the course of four years in order
to get it started.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Rolfes, prime sponsor; Nels Sultan, Kingston Express Association; and Mike Bookey, Port of Kingston.