Brief Summary of Second Engrossed Substitute Bill

Provides appropriation authority of $508 million, corresponding to increased transportation revenues provided by 2ESSB 5987 for the 2015-17 fiscal biennium, to state transportation agencies and programs for various transportation purposes.
Transfers amounts between transportation accounts.

Background:

The operating and capital expenses of state transportation agencies and programs are provided for on a biennial basis by an omnibus transportation budget adopted by the Legislature in odd-numbered years. Additionally, supplemental budgets or additive spending measures may be adopted during a biennium, making various modifications to agency appropriations.

The Legislature passed 2ESSB 5987 in the third special session of 2015, increasing several transportation taxes and fees for the purpose of providing additional funding for transportation program and project development. Most of the new funding is deposited to a new account, the Connecting Washington Account.

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Summary of Second Engrossed Substitute Bill:

Appropriations totaling $508 million are provided to certain state transportation agencies and programs for various transportation purposes for the 2015-17 fiscal biennium. The bill makes several transfers between transportation accounts and amends the use of certain accounts during the 2015-17 fiscal biennium to permit the transfers.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) must develop and implement a construction program business plan to ensure that future staffing levels are sustainable, to meet necessary skill sets, and to allow for close partnership with the private sector. The WSDOT must also report annually on amounts expended with respect to transit, bicycle, or pedestrian elements within Connecting Washington projects funded as part of the Highway Improvement and Preservation Programs and as part of the Local Program.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Senator King, prime sponsor; Senator Hobbs; Senator Liias; John Lovick, Snohomish County; Helen Price-Johnson, David Sauter and Kevin Bouchey, Washington State Association of Counties; Duke Schaub, Associated General Contractors; Claudia Balducci and Kevin Wallace, City of Bellevue; Ruth Perez, City of Renton; Todd Woosley, Bellevue Chamber of Commerce; Jim Hedrick, Greater Spokane, Incorporated; Francis Benjamin, Association of Washington Cities; Ryan Mello, City of Tacoma; Steve Peterson, City of Liberty Lake; Dave Earling, City of Edmonds; Michael Courts, City of DuPont; Steve Robinson, Phillips 66; Ashley Hellenberg, Port of Longview; Scott Walstra, Cowlitz Economic Development Council; Dennis Webber, Cowlitz County; David Moseley, DM Consulting; Dave Zabell, City of Pasco; Alex Soldano, City of Spokane; Vern Little, City of Lake Stevens; Thea Goodwin, Key Bank and Lake Stevens Chamber of Commerce; Doug Levy, City of Everett; Al Aldrich, Cities of Marysville, Arlington, and Snohomish; Glenn Coil, Economic Alliance Snohomish; Ron Harding, City of Yelm; Bruce Nurse, Kemper Development Company; E. J. Swainson, Washington State Patrol Lieutenants Association; Jeff Merrill, Washington State Patrol Troopers Association; William Farris, Tom Huntington and Phillip Lemley, City of Richland; Matt Larson, Snoqualmie/Sound Cities Association; David Baker, City of Kenmore; Dave Hoogerwerf and Walt Elliott, Ferry Advisory Council; Jeanne Burbidge, City of Federal Way; Don Vondran, City of Covington; and Ashley Probart, Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board.

(In support with concerns) Will Knedlik, Truth in Taxation.

(In support with amendment(s)) Tim Ballew, Lummi Indian Nation; and Satpal Sidhu, Whatcom County.

(Opposed) None.

(Other) Charles Knutson, Office of the Governor; Lynn Peterson, Washington State Department of Transportation; Jim McIntire, Office of the State Treasurer; Ed Murray, City of Seattle; Jay Arnold, City of Kirkland; and Bruce Wynn, Kirkland Chamber of Commerce.