FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1490

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.

Sponsors: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Fey, Rodne, Clibborn, Hargrove, Riccelli, Van Werven, McBride and Irwin).

Background:

Roadway preservation is the periodic replacement or restoration of highway system components to renew service life. Examples of preservation work include repaving highways before surface wear and tear lead to subsurface deterioration, painting bridges, replacing bridge deck pavement, and replacing deteriorated culverts. A preservation rating report provides information on the condition of various assets, typically using a rating system to categorize the different asset conditions (i.e., excellent, good, fair, poor, very poor). There is no standard metric across state and local agencies to define asset conditions. In 2003, measures were adopted to create stronger accountability for maintenance and preservation of transportation facilities, including reporting requirements for cities and towns. These requirements have been suspended since 2001.

Summary:

The requirement that a city or town provide preservation rating information on a certain percentage of its arterial network is eliminated during the 2017-2019 fiscal biennium. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) must, in consultation with cities, towns, and the Transportation Commission, review existing pavement preservation rating reporting requirements and recommend to the Legislature whether a repeal of the pavement preservation rating report is warranted. The report is due by December 1, 2017.

Votes on Final Passage:

House	97	0
Senate	48	0