issue area reports | infrastructure
Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee.
ESSB 5096 biennial transportation budget
Passed / AWB Supported
AWB supported Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5096, sponsored by Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, making transportation appropriations for the 2017-2019 biennium. The new budget appropriates about $ 8.5 billion over the next two years, spending $ 4.2 billion in the various capital programs. It also shifts $ 60 million of additional TPA funds to help fill the $ 149 million cost overrun on the Alaska Way Viaduct Deep Bore Tunnel project; maintains the Connecting Washington package and only makes minor modifications by advancing some funding on five projects to earlier years; and adds $ 162 million to existing fish passage barrier funding. The planned spending for these projects averages about $ 90 million per biennium through 2033, still far short of the $ 2.4 billion estimated total need. It funds several studies, including:
Board of Pilotage Commissioners, I-405 Toll Data, Air Cargo, Role of the Washington Transportation Commission, and alignment of an ultra-high-speed rail line between Vancouver, B. C., and Portland. AWB supported the transportation budget and it passed the House by a vote of 82-14 and the Senate 48-0.
ESHB 1809 alternative fuels
Passed / AWB Supported
AWB supported Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1809, sponsored by Rep. Jake Fey, D-Tacoma, which clarifies and expands the commercial vehicle alternative fuel incentive program. In 2015, AWB created and funded a $ 60 million program incentivizing alternative fuels in commercial vehicles. This bill streamlines the application process and expands the eligibility criteria to auto transportation companies and commercial services. ESHB 1809 passed the House by a vote of 97-1 and the Senate by a vote of 42-6. AWB thanks Rep. Fey and Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, for their hard work on this legislation.
ESB 5008 real id
Passed / AWB Supported
AWB supported Engrossed Senate Bill 5008, sponsored by Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, which brings Washington into compliance with the federal Real ID Act. The bill creates a two-tier licensing system, a traditional driver’ s license and an Enhanced Driver’ s License( EDL). The requirements to obtain a traditional driver’ s licenses will not change, but beginning July 2018, the Department of Licensing( DOL) will be required to provide a marking that shows it is not compliant for federal purposes. The bill also reduces the cost of an EDL to $ 78, which is only slightly more than the current cost of a traditional license. ESB 5008 passed the House 55-41 and the Senate 36-13.
Bill considered as part of AWB’ s voting record
Favorable outcome for Washington businesses
Missed Opportunities
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