SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 2461

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 of February 26, 2020

Title: An act relating to including health in the state transportation system policy goals.

Brief Description: Including health in the state transportation system policy goals.

Sponsors: Representatives Riccelli, Entenman, Fitzgibbon, Lovick, Ortiz-Self, Stonier, Cody, Shewmake, Ramos, Valdez, Mead, Kloba, Thai, Robinson, Santos, Macri, Pollet, Wylie and Doglio.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/17/20, 57-41.

Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/25/20.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Adds health to the statutory list of statewide transportation policy goals used to guide public investments in transportation.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff: Kelly Simpson (786-7403)

Background: Under current law, six statewide transportation policy goals are used to guide public investments in transportation. It is the Legislature's intent that the policy goals are established for the planning, operation, performance of, and investment in, the state's transportation system. The six policy goals include the following, not in any prioritized order: (1) economic vitality, (2) preservation, (3) safety, (4) mobility, (5) environment, and (6) stewardship.

The powers, duties, and functions of state transportation agencies must be performed in a manner consistent with the policy goals. Local or regional agencies engaged in transportation planning may voluntarily establish objectives and performance measures to demonstrate progress toward the attainment of the statewide policy goals.

Summary of Bill: A seventh statewide transportation policy goal is added as follows:

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Health is added to the statewide transportation goals, but not as a higher priority than any of the other goals. The bill recognizes that we have an obesity and diabetes epidemic in our country and that active transportation leads to fewer diseases and healthier people. Adding health to the goals creates equity. The current goals show a preference for moving motor vehicles, but a strong multimodal system promotes healthy people.

OTHER: The Washington Transportation Commission already considers health and active transportation when developing the statewide transportation plan.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Marcus Riccelli, Prime Sponsor; Vic Colman, Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition, American Heart Association; Sean Graham, Washington State Medical Association. OTHER: Paul Parker, Transportation Commission.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.