HOUSE BILL REPORT

REESSB 5373

BYSenate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Patterson, Bender, Nelson and Conner; by request of Governor)

Making transportation appropriations for the 1989-91 biennium.

House Staff:Gene Schlatter (786-7316)

AS PASSED SENATE

BACKGROUND:

The Legislature must make biennial appropriations for each agency's operating budget and capital improvements.  The transportation budget provides funding for the agencies and programs supported by transportation revenues.

SUMMARY:

The state transportation agencies omnibus capital and operating appropriations act for 1987-89 and 1989-91 fiscal periods is enacted.

The $2.0 billion budget is 6.4 percent below the Governor's proposal and 4.6 percent above 1987-89 - it is less than the growth of inflation.

Traffic Safety Commission

-  Includes $1.2 million from the Public Safety Education Account for the continuation of 16 DWI programs throughout the state.

County Road Administration Board

-  Provides current level funding.

Transportation Improvement Board

-  Provides current level funding for the urban arterial program.

-  Provides no funding for the new transportation improvement program.

Washington State Patrol

-  Restores Governor's 1.2 percent cut of $1.8 million.

-  Provides $2 million for 28 additional traffic troopers.

-  Provides $.6 million for the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) program.

-  Provides $3.6 million for 15 additional commercial vehicle enforcement officers.

-  Provides $.6 million for the license fraud program (including $.3 million General Fund - State).

-  Provides $.6 million for five tow truck inspectors.

-  Eliminates $24 million for State Patrol headquarters, but adds $.1 million for headquarters planning.

-  Eliminates $1.8 million for new airplane, but adds $.3 million for cost of additional repairs to existing aircraft.

-  Includes $2.3 million for additional 3 percent salary increase, effective January 1, 1990 and January 1, 1991, in addition to any other increase provided for in the omnibus budget.

Department of Licensing

-  Restores Governor's 1.2 percent cut ($.3 million) for additional data storage.

-  Provides for CAAP completion ($7.0 million).

-  Provides for front license tab ($.4 million).

-  Provides for two driver license stations (Marysville, Bothell).

-  Provides for motorcycle awareness program ($.2 million).

-  Provides $3.6 million for commercial driver's license program.

Department of Transportation - Marine Division

-  Does not provide for any additional passenger-only vessel, terminal, or service increases.

-  Provides $3.6 million for additional services for Edmonds/Kingston and Anacortes/San Juan routes.

Department of Transportation - Highways

-  Highway preservation continued at current level.

-  Interstate completion continued at current level.

-  The added capacity program, "Cat C", comes to an end.

Department of Transportation - Other Programs

-  Funds continuation of Transportation Executive Information System ($.8 million).

-  Provides for central accounting system ($2.0 million).

-  Adds $8.5 million for high capacity planning and freight rail administration.