SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5750
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Transportation, February 23, 2023
Title: An act relating to the operating and maintenance deficit of the Wahkiakum county ferry.
Brief Description: Addressing the operating and maintenance deficit of the Wahkiakum county ferry.
Sponsors: Senators Wilson, J. and Lovelett.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/21/23, 2/23/23 [DPS].
Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill
  • Increases to 85 percent the amount of operating and maintenance deficit for the Wahkiakum County ferry the Washington State Department of Transportation can support.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5750 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Liias, Chair; Lovick, Vice Chair; Shewmake, Vice Chair; King, Ranking Member; Holy, Assistant Ranking Member; Cleveland, Kauffman, Lovelett, MacEwen, Nobles, Padden, Randall, Valdez, Wilson, C. and Wilson, J..
Staff: Jenna Forty (786-7755)
Background:

The Wahkiakum County ferry operates between Puget Island and Westport on the Columbia River. Under current law, counties are authorized to operate ferry service within or between counties and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) may reimburse up to 80 percent of the operations and maintenance of the service.

 

The total of the WSDOT and Wahkiakum County contract is limited by the appropriation to the local programs division, which is approximately $1.38 million per biennium.  There is a requirement that Wahkiakum County ferry fares be comparable to those used for similar runs on the state ferry system.  
Summary of Bill (First Substitute):

The reimbursement rate for the agreement between Wahkiakum County and WSDOT is raised to 85 percent of the operating and maintenance deficit of the service.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE (First Substitute):
  • Restores the limitation that payments do not exceed the amount appropriated within the biennium.
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 on Original Bill:

The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: The highways around Cathlamet are frequently subject to closure and the Wahkiakum County ferry is a critical link for county residents. The county absorbs the overages for the ferry operations that deplete the county road funds, the support is important for the entire county.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Jeff Wilson, Prime Sponsor; Gene Strong, Wahkiakum County.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.