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Infrastructure, Transportation & Economic Development
AWC Priority
Transportation Benefit Districts (TBDs) (SHB 1858)
SHB 1858 passed out of the House March 13 on a 61-35 vote. We would like to thank all of you for your support in moving this bill. We would also like to thank Rep. Fromhold (D-Vancouver), Rep. Clibborn (D-Mercer Island), and Rep. Jarrett (R-Mercer Island) for their leadership in getting this bill passed to the Senate. This is a local tool for local transportation purposes. Please go to www.awcnet.org/documents/TBDFactSheet0307.pdf for a fact sheet on this bill.
The substitute bill will:
- Allow cities or counties to impose the first $20 of the vehicle fee if a TBD is jurisdiction-wide (the balance remains voter approved).
- Allow cities or counties to impose limited transportation impact fees, but prohibit "double-dipping" of existing impact fees and residential property.
The bill is scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday, March 21 at 1:30 pm.
AWC Priority
Changing Alternative Public Works Provisions (SHB 1506)
SHB 1506 passed the House March 12 on a 98-0 vote and was referred to the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee. To date, it has not been scheduled for hearing. This is the renewal and modification of the current General Contractor-Construction Manager (GC-CM) and Design Build (DB) public works authority. Please see the February 2 edition of the Bulletin for a detailed description on the substitute bill.
AWC Priority
Authorization for Projects by the Public Works Board (HB 1025)
HB 1025, the 2007 Public Works Board construction loan list, was signed by Governor Gregoire on March 12. We appreciate the Legislature and the Governor taking prompt action on this bill as it supports our request to have the 19 projects, totaling $71 million, ready for contract execution much sooner than in past 105-day sessions.
AWC Priority
Local Infrastructure Finance Tool (LIFT) (2SHB 1277/2SSB 5115)
2SHB 1277 passed the House and was heard in the Senate Economic Development, Trade & Management Committee on March 16. 2SSB 5115 passed the Senate on March 10 and was referred to the House Community & Economic Development & Trade Committee. To date, a hearing has not been scheduled.
SHB 1277 will:
- Increase the limit of the annual state contribution to LIFT projects in the state from $5 million per year to $7.5 million per year;
- Retain the one per county prohibition on using this authority (unless it is a city that is located in two counties);
- Retain an assessed value of $70 per square foot requirement; and
- Provide several technical changes that will make the authority more flexible.
AWC will testify in general support of the bill, but will request reinstating the award limit to $10 million and repealing the one per county limitation.
Regional Transportation Commissions (RTC) (2SSB 5803)
2SSB 5803, which would create a regional transportation commission in Puget Sound, passed the Senate on March 12. This bill is the most far-reaching transportation policy bill this session and is becoming more complex, controversial, and potentially problematic for cities with each successive draft.
Some bill highlights:
- RTC can only be created by ordinance of county legislative authorities.
- The 12-member RTC must have unanimous RTC approval before any plan can be submitted to the voters.
- Assumes many of the powers and duties of Sound Transit, the Regional Transportation Improvement District, and the Puget Sound Regional Council.
- Project eligibility is broad and is focused on regional transportation solutions that are corridor based (rather than Highways of Statewide Significance, for example).
- Project cost overruns will not be borne by the state.
- The RTC must be in King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties for planning purposes, but Kitsap is not included for taxing purposes.
- Serves as a "ballot gatekeeper" over regional projects funded by the remaining sales tax authority of Sound Transit, Kitsap Transit, Everett Transit, Pierce Transit, Metro Transit, and Community Transit.
Encouraging the Use of Cleaner Energy (2SHB 1303)
As the bill title indicates, it has a variety of incentives and mandates to use clean energy in vehicles. Although AWC is generally supportive of the bill, we have concerns over the provision that requires all state and local fleets to satisfy their fuel needs with bio-fuels by the year 2015, unless the mandate is deemed impracticable by the Energy Freedom Coordinator. A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, March 21 at 3:30 pm. AWC will pursue amendatory language that moves this requirement toward reporting on the feasibility of transitioning to an all bio-fuel fleet.
Funding Qualifying Projects through the Urban Corridor Program of the Transportation Improvement Board (SHB 2331)
SHB 2331 did not pass out of the House; however, it is likely to be included as part of the House Transportation Budget. Please see last week’s edition of the Bulletin for more details.
Changing Provisions Concerning Limitation of Claims Under a Construction Contract (SHB 1765)
Rising from the ashes, SHB 1765, or the Michael M. Johnson bill, passed the Senate on a vote of 95-1 on the final day before bill cutoff. It is substantially different from the underlying bill. Although there are several more provisions that favor public owners, AWC still has concerns about at least one part of the bill that is considered a relief valve for the contracting community. The bill has not been scheduled in the Senate to date.
The House proposal is scheduled for hearing in the House Capital Budget Committee on Friday, March 16 at 1:30 pm and Tuesday, March 20 at 1:30 pm. It is scheduled for Executive Session on Thursday, March 20 at 8:00 am.
The House proposal is scheduled for hearing in the House Transportation Committee on Monday, March 19 at 3:30 pm. A press release is expected at noon on Monday.
Establishing the Microenterprise Development Program (2SSB 5652)
This bill would establish the Microenterprise Development Program in the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED). CTED would provide organizational support to a statewide microenterprise association and contract with it for the delivery of capacity-building services to microenterprise development organizations as well as grants for technical assistance and training to microentrepreneurs. The bill is scheduled for hearing on Monday, March 19 in the House Community & Economic Development & Trade Committee at 1:30 pm.
Economic Development Commission (2SSB 5995)
This bill would create an Economic Development Commission to provide planning, coordination, evaluation, monitoring, and policy analysis and development for the state economic development system as a whole. The bill is scheduled for hearing on Monday, March 19 in the House Community & Economic Development & Trade Committee at 1:30 pm.
Promoting Innovation Partnership Zones (SHB 1091/2SSB 5090)
The Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) would administer an Innovation Partnership Zone Program that consists of the designation of innovative partnership zones, the awarding of grants, and provision of technical and planning assistance. Applications for designation of an area as an innovative partnership zone may be submitted by associate development organizations, port districts, workforce development councils, cities, or counties. The Senate version is scheduled for a public hearing on Wednesday, March 21 in the House Community & Economic Development & Trade Committee at 8:00 am. The House version has not yet been scheduled for hearing.
Providing for Economic Development Project Permitting (ESB 5508)
When a local government applies for Public Works Board funding, Community Economic Revitalization Board funding, Local Infrastructure Financing Tool funding, or Job Development Fund Program funding, the criteria to be considered will include whether the local government applicant has a good record of providing information to those applying for development permits.
The Office of Regulatory Assistance is to help local jurisdictions by providing information about best practices in complying with permit timeline requirements and by providing technical assistance in reducing the turnaround time between submittal and issuance of a development permit. This bill is scheduled for a public hearing on Friday, March 23 in the House State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee at 8:00 am. AWC will support the bill.
Responsible Bidder Criteria for Public Works Contracts (SHB 2010)
This bill requires that a public works contract cannot be awarded until a bidder meets defined responsibility criteria. The Capital Projects Advisory Review Board (CPARB) developed this criteria and it is consistent with state law. CPARB is also required to develop suggested guidelines to assist the state and municipalities in developing supplemental bidder responsibility criteria. The bill is scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Labor, Commerce, and Research & Development Committee on Thursday, March 22, at 3:30 pm. AWC will sign in to support the bill.
WSDOT Discussion about Bicycling and Walking in Washington
WSDOT invites public participation in the bicycle and pedestrian element of Washington’s Multi-modal Transportation Plan. This Plan will include a survey of public opinion about needs related to sidewalks, crosswalks, trails, and bike lanes. The Plan will also propose a strategy for addressing these needs and improving coordination between local governments, regional agencies and the state.
To acquire a copy of the Plan and related information, please call 360-705-7258 or visit the website: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Bike/Bike_Plan.htm. Comments and feedback can be submitted either through the website or by calling the toll free number: 1-866-375-6729
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