AWC Legislative Bulletin - 04/24/2007  (Plain Text Version)

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In this issue:
What You Need to Know Now
From the Director: Session Ends – Good Year for Cities
Energy & Telecommunications
Environment & Water
General Local Government
Infrastructure, Transportation & Economic Development
Land Use & Housing
Law & Justice
Municipal Finance
Personnel & Labor Relations
Online Legislative Advocacy Tools
AWC Legislative Contacts & Officers

Infrastructure, Transportation & Economic Development

The following bills have received concurrence from the House and will be delivered to the Governor for signature:

  • AWC Priority Bill, Changing Alternative Public Works Provisions (SHB 1506)
  • Concerning Small Works Roster Contracting Procedures (SHB 1328)

AWC Priority
Transportation Benefit Districts (TBDs) (ESHB 1858)

ESHB 1858 passed the Legislature on April 11, and has been delivered to the Governor for her signature. This is an important local tool for local transportation purposes.

The bill will modify the current Transportation Benefit District Authority to:

  • Allow cities or counties to impose the first $20 of the vehicle fee (the balance remains voter approved).
  • Allow cities or counties to impose limited transportation impact fees, but prohibits "double dipping" of existing impact fees and impact fees on any residential property.

In addition, the bill provides for accountability:

  • Public Hearings are required.
  • Funds must be used according to transportation criteria in current law.
  • Projects must be identified in a local transportation plan and a regional transportation planning organization plan.

Please send a letter to the Governor in support of this legislation.

AWC Priority
Local Infrastructure Finance Tool (LIFT) (2SHB 1277)

2SHB 1277 passed both houses. As passed, 2SHB 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;
  • Allows one per county with two exceptions:
    • A county with an identified pilot project may have an additional project, and
    • A city that is in more than one county does not "trump" either county from receiving an additional project.
  • Retain an assessed value of $70 per square foot requirement; and
  • Provide several technical changes that will make the authority more flexible.

Regional Transportation Commissions (RTC) (HB 2101)

No regional governance bill passed the legislature this session. The legislature included $400,000 for an analysis of implementation options regarding governance in central Puget Sound in the Transportation Budget.

AWC Priority
Transportation Budget (ESHB 1094)

The Transportation Budget totaled $7.5 billion with $5.9 billion appropriated to the Department of Transportation. As noted in previous bulletins, the Governor and legislature were challenged with relatively fixed revenue streams, yet were experiencing soaring project cost escalations. Consequently, there were few new initiatives in the budget. Of note:

  • Most projects retained their original schedule;
  • Increased funding for the SR 520 bridge;
  • Provided $15M in bond authority to the Transportation Improvement Board to help cover inflationary construction costs;
  • The creation of a Freight Congestion Relief Account—when freight revenue becomes available, identified projects will be funded; and
  • Addressed a $35M shortfall in the Washington State Patrol budget.

AWC Priority
Capital Budget (ESHB 1092)

This biennium’s capital budget will be almost $4.3 billion. Highlights include:

  • Section 1028: Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) funding for $20 million. A maximum of 25% can be used for grants.
  • Section 1032: $49.93 million for Job Development Fund Grants.
  • Section 1034: $327 million for the Public Works Board. Of note, problematic proviso language relating to interest rate minimums and project subsidies was removed in the final budget.
  • Sections 3041/3042: Puget Sound Stormwater Projects/Stormwater Projects – $20.9 million for these programs. Addressing stormwater run-off is rapidly becoming one or our most costly infrastructure investments; we appreciate the state’s commitment to partnering with local governments on cleaning up Puget Sound.
  • Section 3146: Washington Wildlife Recreation Grants – $100 million.
  • Section 6024: Study Committee on Public Infrastructure Programs – We support the legislators commitment to making recommendations regarding a comprehensive funding structure and systematic approach to support the integration, consolidation, and standardization of processes, procedures, and infrastructure programs.

More information about the capital budget and its impacts on cities can be found on AWC’s website www.awcnet.org.

City Hardship Assistance Funds for Street Maintenance (SSB 5483)

This measure will move any remaining City Hardship Assistance Program funding to the Small City Pavement Preservation and Sidewalk Account. The Governor signed the bill on April 20.

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 Governor signed the bill on April 20.