SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6283
As Passed Senate, February 8, 2024
Title: An act relating to eliminating the expiration date for the Sandy Williams connecting communities program.
Brief Description: Eliminating the expiration date for the Sandy Williams connecting communities program.
Sponsors: Senators Nobles, Billig, Shewmake, Holy, King, Liias, Lovick, Wilson, C., Wilson, J., Valdez, Kauffman, Hawkins, Lovelett, Padden, Fortunato, Cleveland, Trudeau, Frame, Hasegawa, Kuderer, Salda?a and Stanford.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/01/24, 2/05/24 [DP].
Floor Activity: Passed Senate: 2/8/24, 48-0.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Eliminates the July 1, 2027 expiration date of the Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program. 
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Liias, Chair; Lovick, Vice Chair; Shewmake, Vice Chair; King, Ranking Member; Holy, Assistant Ranking Member; Cleveland, Fortunato, Hansen, Hawkins, Kauffman, Lovelett, MacEwen, Nobles, Padden, Valdez, Wilson, C. and Wilson, J..
Staff: Jenna Forty (786-7755)
Background:

The Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program was created in 2022 as part of the Move Ahead Washington package to increase safe and continuous routes for active transportation users in communities that have been bifurcated by current or former state highways. The program was launched as a pilot for two biennia, 2023-25 and 2025-27, and is administered by the Department of Transportation. Projects selected under the program must prioritize areas with vulnerable or overburdened communities, adjacent to tribal lands, are low income, and areas with crash experience of active transportation users. The program expires July 1, 2027. The current appropriation level for the 2023-25 biennium is $25 million. 
Summary of Bill:

The expiration date of the Sandy Williams Connecting Communities Program at the Department of Transportation is eliminated. 
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.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

PRO:  Sandy Williams was a tireless community advocate. Eliminating the expiration date and extending the program, honors Sandy's legacy and continues her work. 
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator T'wina Nobles, Prime Sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.