SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5743
As of February 19, 2023
Title: An act relating to making certain nonsubstantive, corrective changes resulting from enactment of chapter 182, Laws of 2022 (transportation resources).
Brief Description: Making certain nonsubstantive, corrective changes resulting from enactment of chapter 182, Laws of 2022 (transportation resources).
Sponsors: Senators Liias and Billig.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/20/23.
Brief Summary of Bill

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Makes various nonsubstantive, corrective changes to certain provisions of transportation resources chapter law.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Staff: Jenna Forty (786-7755)
Background:

In 2022, the Legislature passed ESSB 5974.  Since enactment, certain drafting errors and omissions were identified resulting in some provisions being enacted contrary to legislative intent. Some corrective changes were identified that would better conform certain provisions with original legislative intent. 

 

Included in the provisions of ESSB 5974 were the following: 

  • a provision to allow a regional transit authority to gain eligibility to compete for state regional mobility grant funds, if the regional transit authority enacted a zero-fare policy for passengers 18 years of age and younger to ride free of charge on all modes by October 1, 2022;  
  • establishment of a Connecting Communities Grant Pilot Program at the Department of Transportation through July 1, 2027;
  • establishment of a statewide school-based Bicycle Education Grant Program at the Department of Transportation; 
  • authorization for the remittances of noninterest revenues received from the automated traffic safety camera infractions occurring in school walk areas, public park speed zones, and hospital speed zones to be deposited in the Cooper Jones Active Transportation Safety Account; 
  • modification of the title of account 20N to JUDY Transportation Future Funding Program Account, to be used only for preservation and improvement projects, to accelerate the schedule of connecting Washington projects, and for principal and interest on bonds authorized for the projects; and 
  • requiring the Department of Transportation to establish a complete streets requirement for state transportation projects starting design on or after July 1, 2022, and that are $500,000 or greater. 
Summary of Bill:

Amendments are made to correct a drafting error, to make a regional transit authority eligible to receive state Regional Mobility Grant Program funds if the regional transit authority enacts a zero-fare policy for all passengers 18 years of age and younger to ride free of charge on all modes prior to October 1, 2022. 

 

The Connecting Communities Grant Program is renamed the Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program at the Department of Transportation, in honor of the Spokane community advocate, Sandy Williams. 

 

The statewide school-based bicycle safety grant is modified to elaborate the types of equipment a non-profit may provide to partner schools, to include bicycles, helmets, locks and lights. 

 

The Washington State Traffic Safety Commission is required to report to the transportation committees of the Legislature on activities funded from the Cooper Jones Active Transportation Account beginning December 1, 2024, and every two years thereafter. 

 

Amendments are made correcting a drafting error, to the account title of account 20N JUDY Transportation Future Funding Program Account to allow the account to keep its own interest generated. 

 

A requirement is recodified for the Department of Transportation to establish a complete streets provision from chapter 47.24 RCW City Streets as Part of State Highways to chapter 47.04 RCW General Provisions. Definitions of  active transportation, complete streets, population center, safe systems approach, and shared-use path or multiuse path are added. 

Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.