Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Transportation Committee |
HB 1979
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. |
Brief Description: Extending the expiration of the agency council on coordinated transportation.
Sponsors: Representatives Billig, Armstrong, Clibborn, Liias and Fitzgibbon.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/23/11
Staff: David Munnecke (786-7315).
Background:
The Agency Council on Coordinated Transportation (ACCT) is council of state agencies, transportation providers, consumer advocates, and legislators, which was created in 1998 in order to advance and improve accessibility to and coordination of special needs transportation services statewide. The council is made up of 14 voting members, 11 of whom are appointed by the Governor according to certain statutory prescriptions, with the remaining three consisting of the Superintendant of Public Instruction, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services, or their designees. There are also four non-voting members, one each from the two largest caucuses in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Since enactment, the ACCT has been reauthorized several times. In 2007 the Legislature reauthorized the ACCT until June 30, 2010, and modified and streamlined the ACCT's duties. In 2007 the Legislature also directed the Joint Transportation Committee to study legal and programmatic changes and best practices necessary for providing effective coordination of special needs transportation. That study, finalized in January 2009, resulted in a number of recommendations, including the need to strengthen the ACCT's role as a statewide oversight authority and to establish the necessary infrastructure that responds to local circumstances and needs.
In 2009 the ACCT was reauthorized until June 30, 2011, and all related sections of the Revised Code of Washington until June 30, 2012.
Summary of Bill:
The termination date for the Agency Council on Coordinated Transportation is extended until June 30, 2013, and the related sections of the Revised Code of Washington until June 30, 2014.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 16, 2011.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.