Washington Business 2019 Legislative Review & Vote Record | Page 29

issue area reports | infrastructure Act, E3SHB 1324 took a few turns this session and was eventually stripped of the elements regarding the access to capital improvements. The final version of the bill instead directed the Washington Institute for Public Policy to conduct a study on similar programs across the country and report back by July 2020. The bill also extended the preferential B&O tax rate for timber products to 2045 and extended the forest and fish support account surcharge on timber products to 2045. While the lack of access to capital was disappointing, the bill is still considered a win for rural Washington. The bill passed the Senate 40-9 and passed unanimously in the House. SSB 5370 airport task force Passed/AWB Neutral Senate Bill 5879/House Bill 1843, which would prohibit railroad carriers from disciplining employees for illness or injuries, establish fatigue layoff and family and medical leave programs. AWB opposed the bills because these issues are generally found under the collective bargaining process or through federal regulations. While most of the bills died in policy committee, HB 1841 passed out of the House 72-24, but did not come up for a vote in the Senate. SSB 5971 $17 billion transportation revenue package Failed/AWB Opposed AWB opposed Substitute Senate Bill 5971, sponsored by Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Ste- vens, which would have implemented a 6 cent gas tax increase, a carbon tax, statewide impact fees on new construction, and vari- ous other transportation-related fees to fund $17 billion in transportation and stormwa- ter infrastructure improvements across the state. Before session, AWB hosted a seven-city listening tour, asking our members for their thoughts regarding the package. While the business community recognizes a need for additional infrastructure funding, employers expressed consistent opposition to the carbon tax and impact fees on new construction. SSB 5971 passed out of the Senate Transporta- tion Committee, but did not move out of the Ways and Means Committee. This bill is the beginning of a multi-session conversation on passing a statewide transportation revenue package and we expect to see another effort next session. Legislators adopted Substitute Senate Bill 5370, sponsored by Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent, which creates a task force to study potential locations for a new commer- cial airport. The task force is required to recommend a preferred site for a new com- mercial airport by Jan. 1, 2021, and produce a timeline with a new facility complete and functional by 2040. The task force is made up of 13 voting members representing vari- ous state agencies, ports, and the private sector. SSB 5370 was adopted unanimously in both the House and Senate. HB 1841 anti-rail bills Failed/AWB Opposed AWB opposed three anti-railroad bills this session: Senate Bill 5877/House Bill 1841, which would mandate a minimum crew size; Senate Bill 5878/House Bill 1842, which would mandate limits on the number of hours for yardmasters and prohibit railroad carriers from communicating with yardmasters during off-duty periods; and Bill considered as part of AWB’s voting record Rep. Andrew Barkis, R-Olympia, is the ranking Republican on the House Transportation Committee. Favorable outcome for Washington businesses Missed Opportunities special edition 2019 27