Transportation & Infrastructure

Senate Transportation Budget (SSB 6241)

The Senate Transportation Committee just passed its supplemental transportation budget. (The House Bill is expected late this week.) Most of the bill accommodates project adjustments. We testified in support of the overall bill. We also stated our support for continuing the policy of using federal funds for local governments. We also testified that we are reviewing the policy implications of the Senate proposal to redirect those federal funds to a different agency (see below). The following are budget components of notable interest to cities:

• $20 million for regional mobility grant projects. This is a result of last year’s new revenue package.
• $7 million for pedestrian and bicycle safety program projects and safe routes to schools program projects. This is a result of last year’s new revenue package.
• $4.65 million increase in Commute Trip Reduction funding. This is to support ESSB 6566, the Commute Trip Reduction bill.
• $525,000 to cities and counties for improving transportation permitting processes.
• $100,000 to study transportation concurrency and how it affects state highways. This proviso is in lieu of SB 6268 - Transportation Concurrency Under the Growth Management Act.

Please note: As we currently understand it, the following budget proposal is a policy change that redirects federal funds that have traditionally been allocated to the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs).  The MPOs historically have allocated these funds based upon their own competitive processes. The Senate has directed the use of $32 million which is programmed but not under contract with current MPO Transportation Improvement Plans.  (The first proposal was at $87 million and did include already committed funding.)

• $19 million of federal funds are to be directed toward projects in areas under 5,000 population. This is in coordination with the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) recommendations.
• $13 million of federal funds would go to TIB for arterial and small city programs. The projects are to be selected in cooperation with the appropriate metropolitan program.

Regional Transportation (SHB 2871)

This bill has been declared "necessary to implement the budget" in order to be exempt from the February 14 bill cut-off. We are expecting it to pass next week. There is a new proposed substitute, which now includes HB 3138, modifying transportation benefit district provisions. Inclusion of HB 3138 would allow transportation benefit districts in all counties and cities. It also repeals the current limitation of only allowing forty percent of the funds for local purposes.

Revising Commute Trip Reduction Provisions (ESHB 3089/ESSB 6566)

These bills would revise the Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) provisions to include the following:

• Modify the scope of the CTR Program to focus on urban growth areas with the most congested state highways.
• Create a new CTR Board with expanded duties.
• Allow local jurisdictions to create growth and transportation efficiency centers to obtain funding and flexibility in implementing programs.
• Expand the role of the Department of Transportation and regional transportation planning organizations in CTR planning.

The House version passed on a 98-0 vote and was referred to the Senate Transportation Committee. A public hearing is scheduled on February 21. The Senate version passed on a 44-0 vote and was referred to the House Transportation Committee where a public hearing took place on February 15. It now awaits executive action in committee.

Modifying Transportation Accounts and Revenue Distributions (ESSB 6839)

This bill is considered a "clean-up" bill from last year’s revenue proposal. It clarifies the distribution of local transportation funds for the Transportation Improvement Board, transit grants, and freight mobility. The bill passed the Senate on a 26-15 vote and is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Transportation Committee on February 21.

Harmonizing and Updating the Urban Arterial Program (SB 6162)

This bill proposes three changes to the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB):

• It renames several programs to better align with funding sources and program delivery;
• The number of TIB members is reduced from 21 to 20 by eliminating one of the public transit system appointments. The Executive Director of CRAB is also removed from the TIB Board and replaced by a county engineer or public works director from a county with a population of less than 125,000; and
• The Governor makes TIB appointments instead of the Secretary of the Department of Transportation.

The bill passed the Senate on a 44-0 vote. It was referred to the House Transportation Committee and a public hearing was conducted on February 15. It now awaits executive action in Committee.

Traffic Safety Cameras (SSB 6654, SB 6238)

Two proposals involving traffic safety cameras have died. SSB 6654 would have changed the photo enforcement system statute for toll violations to conform to the administrative provisions found in ESSB 5060 enacted last session. Toll violations detected through the use of photo enforcement systems would have been processed in the same manner as parking infractions and the penalty set at $40.

SB 6238 would have expanded the automated traffic safety camera law to include authorizing local governments to use cameras to detect speed violations on arterial highways within cities over 500,000 persons.

Failing to Wear a Seat Belt (SB 6563)

This bill proposed that failure to comply with the safety belt assembly and child restraint system requirements may be admissible in any civil action. We were able to move this bill out of rules, but we were unsuccessful in getting it pulled for final passage before final bill cut-off.

Regulating Train Speed (ESSB 6679)

This bill proposes that before increasing operating speeds, a railroad operator must provide 60 days written notice to the Utilities and Transportation Commission and the applicable local government or road authority. This bill passed the Senate on a 48-0 vote and is scheduled for public hearing in the House Transportation Committee on February 20.

Public Works

Authorizing Project Loans Recommended by the Public Works Board (SHB 2337 and HB 2544)

These bills combined authorize the fifty-one Public Works Board projects. Both bills passed the House on a 96-0 vote and have been referred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Authorizing a Contract Extension for Reimbursement by Property Owners for Street, Road, and Water Sewer Projects (ESHB 3192)

This bill would allow for an extension of the current 15 year period if a moratorium, phasing ordinance, or concurrency designation or other governmental action that restricts new developments from being applied for with the benefit area is implemented. The bill now includes notice requirements and the ability for local jurisdictions to collect fees. The bill passed the House on a 98-0 vote and was referred to the Senate Government Operations & Elections Committee.

Modifying the Bid Cancellation Process (SSB 6509)

This bill would have prevented state agencies, cities with a population over 100,000, and counties with a population over 500,000 from canceling all public works bids after opening unless there is a compelling reason. The bill failed to pass out of the Senate and is considered dead for the session.

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