HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2748
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 House Committee On:
Labor & Workplace Standards
Title: An act relating to parking cash out programs.
Brief Description: Concerning parking cash out programs.
Sponsors: Representatives Ramel, Davis, Fey, Lekanoff and Fitzgibbon.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Labor & Workplace Standards: 1/27/20, 1/30/20 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & WORKPLACE STANDARDS |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 4 members: Representatives Sells, Chair; Chapman, Vice Chair; Gregerson and Ormsby.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 3 members: Representatives Mosbrucker, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Hoff.
Staff: Trudes Tango (786-7384).
Background:
Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) programs are designed to reduce the rates of people driving alone to and from work. All state agency worksites in Thurston County are required to participate in CTR programs. In addition, public and private employers considered to be major employers must have a CTR program with defined CTR goals. Major employers are those with more than 100 employees at a single worksite located in certain urban growth areas. A CTR program may include providing a bus pass and providing rebates for employees who do not use parking facilities.
California, and some local government agencies, offer parking rebates or cash and public transit passes in lieu of parking.
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Summary of Bill:
An employer that employs 50 or more employees in the state, and that provides a parking subsidy to employees, must offer a parking cash out program to employees who are receiving a parking subsidy. This requirement applies only to an employer who can reduce the number of paid parking spaces it maintains without incurring penalties from a third party that leases parking to the employer.
Under the parking cash out program, the employer must provide a cash allowance to an employee that is equal to the parking subsidy the employer would otherwise provide to the employee. The parking subsidy is the difference between the out-of-pocket amount paid by an employer on a regular basis to secure the availability of an employee parking space not owned by the employer and the price, if any, charged to the employee for use of that space.
The parking cash out program may include a requirement that employees certify that they will comply with guidelines established by the employer designed to avoid neighborhood parking problems.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Preliminary fiscal note available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill is modeled after a program in California where they saw a 17 percent reduction in ride-alone commuters. This program will not be costly to the state or employers. It will have a positive impact on reducing traffic. Employers with over 100 employees already must have CTR programs which can include incentives for employees.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Ramel, prime sponsor; and Bryce Yadon, Transportation Choices Coalition.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.