HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2802

As Amended by the Senate

BYRepresentatives Todd, Fraser, McLean, Belcher, Locke, Brumsickle and Silver; by request of Department of General Administration

Enlarging the department of general administration transportation management authority.

House Committe on State Government

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (8)

      Signed by Representatives Todd, Chair; Anderson, Vice Chair; McLean, Ranking Republican Member; R. Fisher, Hankins, Morris, O'Brien and Silver.

House Staff:Barbara McLain (786-7135)

Rereferred House Committee on Capital Facilities & Financing

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (13)

      Signed by Representatives H. Sommers, Chair; Rasmussen, Vice Chair; Schoon, Ranking Republican Member; Betrozoff, Bowman, Braddock, Fraser, Heavey, Jacobsen, Peery, Rector, Wang and Winsley.

House Staff:      Barbara McLain (786-7135)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 9, 1990

BACKGROUND:

In March 1989, the director of the Department of General Administration (GA) convened a transportation work group with representatives of state and legislative agencies, local transit, and local governments in Thurston County to identify transportation and parking issues in the region, and to recommend possible collaborative solutions.  The work group's interim report includes recommendations for:  (a)  location selection criteria for state facilities located off the capitol campus that take transit and access into account; (b)  ways to improve parking management, in particular to deal with the loss of parking due to construction of the new East capitol campus facilities; and (c) possible initiatives to enhance overall transportation management, such as developing alternatives to single-occupancy vehicles and coordinating planning between the state and local governments.

Under current law, GA has authority to control traffic and regulate parking on the state capitol grounds and at the East capitol campus site, but not at leased facilities elsewhere in the county or state.  State offices housing 17,000 employees are scattered at over 220 locations in Thurston County, most in leased facilities.

GA sets rates for parking on the capitol campus and East capitol campus site, with the proceeds going to the State Capitol Vehicle Parking Account.  The rates are to be "equitable and consistent," and take into account the market rate of comparable privately owned rental parking.  Fees collected in the account go to debt service on revenue bonds for parking facilities.  Any interest accrued on the account balance goes to the general fund.

SUMMARY:

The general purpose of the act is to give the Department of General Administration authority to develop parking and transportation management programs, ensure improved access to state government by customers, employees, and visitors, and promote alternatives to the single-occupant automobile in a cost-effective and coordinated manner.

The director of GA is given the following responsibilities:

            oIn consultation with state agencies, employees, local and regional governments, and businesses, develop and implement a comprehensive state agency transportation and parking management program;

            oImplement alternatives to the single-occupant automobile;

            oProvide transportation and parking criteria in the development of new or renovated state facilities; and

            oEstablish standards for the management and allocation of parking spaces, including a system of rates.

An operational unit to carry out the assigned responsibilities is established in the department, but the director may also choose to delegate to a state agency the authority to develop parking criteria and standards for managing and allocating parking.

The director must establish fees and charges for parking and transportation programs.  Revenues collected from parking fees on the capitol campus must be applied first to debt service as specified in revenue bonds issued for new parking facilities.  Any excess revenue above that needed for debt service and any revenue from fees other than on the capitol campus goes to the newly created Transportation and Parking Management Account.  GA administers the account, which may be spent only after appropriation.  The funds in the account must be used for operation and administration of transportation and parking programs administered by GA or by other state agencies as part of the overall management program.  Revenues collected for programs that are administered by state agencies must be applied to the program for which they were collected.

The provision of law creating the State Capitol Vehicle Parking Account and assigning GA responsibility for establishing employee parking fees on the capitol grounds and the East capitol campus site is repealed.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENTS:  The amendment requires that when General Administration establishes parking rates, they shall establish a fair and equitable system, taking market rates into consideration.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (State Government)  Wendy Holden, Department of General Administration; Hugh Mose, Inter-City Transit; Doug DeForest, Olympia-Thurston County Chamber of Commerce; Steve Lindstrom, Washington State Transit Association; and Eugene St. John, Washington Public Employees Association.

(Capital Facilities & Financing)  Wendy Holden, Department of General Administration; Kay Boyd, Mayor of Lacey; Randy Riness, Inter-City Transit and Steve Lindstrum, Washington State Transit Association.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (State Government)  No one.

(Capital Facilities & Financing)  No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (State Government)  Giving GA the authority to manage transportation and parking will encourage innovation and assist in growth management.  The state will become accountable for solving access problems at state facilities.  Transit planning under GA could become a model on how state and local governments and business can work together to deal with emergent transportation problems.  The campus shuttle pilot program is an excellent, and already highly successful, example of cooperation.  The department will develop a regulatory framework to improve management of state employee parking.

(Capital Facilities & Financing)  State employees have an impact on the transportation infrastructure in the state and the state has not adequately attended to that impact.  This bill represents the cooperative efforts of the host communities in the Olympia area.  Under it, the state can offer innovative and cost-effective solutions to regional transportation problems.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (State Government)  None.

(Capital Facilities & Financing)  None.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Yeas 95; Excused 3

Excused:    Representatives Basich, Chandler, Sommers D