SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5430

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 Senate Committee On:

Transportation, February 14, 2011

Title: An act relating to state route number 527.

Brief Description: Modifying state route number 527.

Sponsors: Senators McAuliffe and Haugen; by request of Transportation Commission.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/07/11, 2/14/11 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; White, Vice Chair; King, Ranking Minority Member; Fain, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Delvin, Eide, Ericksen, Hill, Hobbs, Litzow, Nelson, Prentice, Ranker, Sheldon, Shin and Swecker.

Staff: Hayley Gamble (786-7452)

Background: A route jurisdiction transfer is the conversion of a state highway to a local road or the conversion of a local road to a state highway. The Transportation Commission (Commission) is responsible for reviewing requests to transfer a route and evaluating the route against criteria established in state law that define the characteristics of a highway. The Commission then forwards any recommendations for a transfer to the Legislature.

In 2009 the City of Bothell submitted a request to the Commission proposing to transfer 2.5 miles of State Route 527 to the city. The requested transfer lies entirely within the City of Bothell, and runs between State Route 522 and Interstate 405. In 2010 the Transportation Commission approved this request, noting that although evaluation under some criteria lends support for this section of road to remain a state highway, the overwhelming majority of other criteria suggested that the road should not be designated as a state route.

Summary of Bill: A 2.5 mile section of State Route 527, between State Route 522 and Interstate 405, is removed from the state highway system.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This transfer meets the transfer requirements as laid out in state law. The transfer is part of a revitalization plan for the city of Bothell, the area has waited a long time for this plan.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator McAuliffe, prime sponsor; Reema Griffith, Washington State Transportation Commission.