FINAL BILL REPORT

EHB 2745

C 25 L 16

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Modifying the authority to appoint members to a certain ferry advisory committee.

Sponsors: Representatives Fitzgibbon and Cody.

House Committee on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:

Ferry Advisory Committees.

In 1961 the Legislature created local ferry advisory committees (FACs) originally consisting of five members appointed to four-year terms by the legislative authority of each county served by the Washington State Ferry (WSF) system. These FACs exist to represent the interests and concerns of persons in their area who are frequent users of the ferry system. There are currently two FACs representing the various routes served by the WSF system. The chairs of each FAC make up an executive committee of the Washington ferry users. The executive committee works directly with the WSF management on ferry issues including schedule development, customer problems, and regional issues. By law, the executive committee meets at least twice each year with the WSF representatives.

In 1988, legislation was enacted that, among other things, restructured the FACs changing the area from which most members of the FACs were picked. San Juan, Skagit, Clallam, and Jefferson counties continued to select members from a countywide area, while the remaining FACs select three members by terminal area. With one exception, both countywide and terminal area committee appointments are made by the legislative authorities of the counties in which they exist. The exception is Vashon Island, which despite having two terminals, by law has only one committee, and its members can only be appointed by the Vashon/Maury Island Community Council.

Vashon/Maury Island Community Council.

The Vashon/Maury Island Community Council (VMICC) has been in existence in some form since the 1940s. Originally, it was a function of the local chamber of commerce, later called a "civic assembly," and most recently the VMICC existed as a nine-member community council tasked with preserving the rural nature of Vashon and Maury islands. The VMICC was recognized by King County as an unincorporated area council in 1996. Around August 2010, the majority of the VMICC resigned and King County later disbanded the unincorporated area council in July 2011.

Summary:

The legislative authority of King County may make an appointment to the Vashon Island Ferry Advisory Committee if the Vashon/Maury Island Community Council fails to appoint a qualified person within 90 days of the occurrence of the vacancy.

Votes on Final Passage: