Volume 29, No. 10
March 9, 2006

Transportation & Infrastructure

Transportation

Since last August, we were repeatedly cautioned that the 2006 session would be modest at best in terms of policy reforms or major budget initiatives. It just ain’t so.

Regional Transportation

The legislature passed ESHB 2871, the Regional Transportation Bill. The Governor is to be credited with bringing together the Senate and House to hammer out this compromise legislation. Of note:

  • A nine member commission is created to evaluate transportation governance in central Puget Sound. The commission is to develop a comprehensive financing strategy and recommend revenue options for improving transportation system performance within the region. They are to report to the legislature by January 1, 2007.
  • The regional roads package and Sound Transit are required to be on the same ballot, at the 2007 general election. Both Sound Transit and the regional transportation plan (the new Regional Transportation Investment District) are required to pass together; if one passes and the other fails, they both fail.
  • Revenue authority is granted to include up to 1/10 percent sales tax and 8/10 percent MVET (based on the new, substantially lesser rate).
  • The local match requirement is reduced from 1/3 to 15%.
  • The bill includes sub area equity requirements.
  • Operations, preservation, and maintenance are generally prohibited. However, operational expenses for traffic mitigation relative to construction mitigation directly related to specific projects is permitted. The commission has the authority to continue transit investments after construction if performance measures are met.
  • After December 1, 2007, if no RTID materializes, then King, Pierce, and Snohomish County receive this authority on an individual basis.
  • After December 1, 2007, King, Pierce and Snohomish County are made eligible to use transportation benefit districts. This includes voter approved revenue sources: up to a $100 motor vehicle fee, and up to 2/10 percent sales tax. Funds are to be used for transportation purposes.
  • Jurisdictions within the other 36 counties will now have transportation benefit district authority without the previous requirement that funds generated are to be proportionately used for Highways of Statewide Significance (60% minimum) and 40% maximum for local purposes.

The transportation budget, SSB 6241, had a few project additions (and deletions), but also had the following highlights:

  • Substantial instructions to WSDOT on how to proceed on the Alaskan Way Viaduct and State Route 520.
  • Federal funds that "pass through" to Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) now have reporting requirements to the state. It also directs these funds to be used for regional priorities.
  • $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 (see following article for details).
  • $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.

Modifying Transportation Accounts and Revenue Distributions (ESSB 6839)

This is a priority AWC bill which does the following:

  • Provides certainty for $7 million of the Transportation Improvement Board’s funding for each biennium. This includes $2 million for the Small City Pavement Preservation Program.
  • Corrects some technical (legal) problems that allow the use of freight mobility funding and freight projects to proceed.
  • Eliminates the requirement for Projects in Puget Sound to reprioritize projects if RTID does not have an adopted plan by January 2007.
  • Re-directs funding for ferry operations purposes.
  • Includes the $4 million department of transportation audit proviso.

Revising Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Provisions (ESSB 6566)

This bill revises the CTR provisions to include the following:

  • Modifies the scope of the CTR Program to focus on urban growth areas with the most congested state highways.
  • Creates a new CTR Board with expanded duties (and fewer members).
  • Allows local jurisdictions to create growth and transportation efficiency centers to obtain funding and flexibility in implementing programs.
  • Expands the role of the Department of Transportation and regional transportation planning organizations in CTR planning.

Of note, the final budget included $150,000 for the Whatcom Council of Governments to develop a Transportation Demand Management program.

Harmonizing and Updating the Urban Arterial Program (SB 6162)

This bill failed. It had clean-up language and would have moved TIB member appointing authority from the Secretary of Transportation to the Governor.

Public Works

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

SHB 2544 passed the Senate with an amendment that combined both SHB 2337 and HB 2544. The House concurred on March 4, and it is on its way to the Governor for signature.

Electronic and Web-based Bidding (HB 1439)

The bill was amended in executive session (no public testimony allowed) to include SB 6509. As reported in the February 3 Bulletin, SSB 6509 adds the provision preventing 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. Although the bill has passed the Legislature, it will still undergo executive staff review and recommendations before going to the Governor for signing

Supplemental Operating Budget (ESSB 6386)

The Supplemental Operating Budget includes $125,000 to continue the Capital Projects Advisory Review Board (CPARB). The CPARB is required to provide recommendations on alternative public works methods to the 2007 Legislature. See the Municipal Finance section for more information about the budget.

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