HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5159

As Amended by the House

BYSenator DeJarnatt

Revising the reimbursement formula for the Puget Island-Westport ferry.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (25)

      Signed by Representatives Walk, Chair; Baugher, Vice Chair; Cantwell, Cooper, Day, Dellwo, Doty, Fisch, Fisher, Hankins, Haugen, Heavey, Kremen, Meyers, Prince, Schmidt, C. Smith, D. Sommers, Spanel, Sutherland, Todd, J. Williams, K. Wilson, S. Wilson and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Gene Schlatter (786-7316)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 7, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Wahkiakum County owns and operates a ferry between Puget Island, Washington (in Wahkiakum County) and Westport, Oregon.  This system provides the only crossing of the Columbia River between the Astoria-Megler bridge and the Longview bridge.

Because this ferry service is beneficial to the state highway system by providing a bypass for State Route 4, the Department of Transportation is authorized to reimburse Wahkiakum County for 60 percent of any deficit incurred during the previous fiscal year.

SUMMARY:

Beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 1987 the Department of Transportation is authorized to reimburse Wahkiakum County for 80 percent of any operating and maintenance deficit.

Fares established by the county shall be comparable to those used for similar runs on the state ferry system.

Fiscal Note:      Attached.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Senator DeJarnatt.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The Puget Island ferry serves as an interstate link between Washington and Oregon, and actually is an extension of a state highway (SR 409).  Thus, an increased subsidy level from the state is justified.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.