SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 1137
As Passed Senate - Amended, April 7, 2021
Title: An act relating to elevating road maintenance and preservation in transportation planning.
Brief Description: Elevating road maintenance and preservation in transportation planning.
Sponsors: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives McCaslin, Young, Barkis, Schmick and Graham).
Brief History: Passed House: 3/6/21, 88-10.
Committee Activity: Transportation: 3/15/21, 3/30/21 [DP].
Floor Activity: Passed Senate - Amended: 4/7/21, 49-0.
Brief Summary of Amended Bill
  • Requires state transportation agencies to perform their duties with preservation and safety being priorities.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Hobbs, Chair; Saldaña, Vice Chair; King, Ranking Member; Cleveland, Das, Fortunato, Hawkins, Lovelett, Nguyen, Nobles, Padden, Randall, Sheldon, Wilson, C. and Wilson, J.
Staff: Kelly Simpson (786-7403)
Background:

State law includes the following six transportation policy goals: (1) economic vitality, (2) preservation, (3) safety, (4) mobility, (5) environment, and (6) stewardship.  The goals are intended by the Legislature to serve as the basis for planning, operation, performance of, and investment in, the state's transportation system.  The goals are also intended to be the basis for establishing detailed and measurable objectives and related performance measures.  State transportation agencies must perform their duties in a manner consistent with the policy goals.
Summary of Amended Bill:

State transportation agencies are required to perform their duties in a manner consistent with the policy goals, with preservation and safety being priorities.

 

The stewardship goal is modified to include continuously improving the resilience of the transportation system. 

 

The preservation goal is modified to include preserving the state ferry system.
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:

OTHER:  Currently Washington State is facing a roughly $1.8 billion per year backlog of unmet highway preservation needs throughout the state.  Although the bill does not actually change the level of funding for highway preservation and maintenance, it does provide a voice for those funding activities, which is appreciated.  If preservation and maintenance funding was provided to meet the backlog, the state Department of Transportation would ensure that the benefits are felt throughout the entire state.   
Persons Testifying: OTHER: Amy Scarton, Washington State Deptartment of Transportation; Mike Gribner, Washington State Deptartment of Transportation.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.