In addition to tracking the funding appropriations for programs and projects in the transportation budgets, AWC staff have been analyzing the various non-funding policy proposals with implications for cities and towns.

The Senate transportation resources bill, SB 5801, includes a handful of changes of interest to locals.

Part V of the bill, titled Transportation Project Streamlining, introduces a range of updates to project permitting and review practices at the state and local levels. Specifically, sections 501, 503, 504 and 508 pertain to projects and infrastructure within cities.

AWC seeks input from city members on the potential impacts of the proposed changes on city projects and practices. Please contact us to share your insight, concerns, and suggested solutions where possible. It would be especially helpful to know about potential fiscal implications.

SB 5801 also makes significant changes to the Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC). The bill:

• Reduces the Commission from seven to five members, removing one seat each from the West side and East side of the state over two years.
• Removes the Commission’s mandates to:
  • Coordinate state, local and regional transportation planning with cities, counties, regional transportation planning organizations, and other stakeholders;
  • Issue the state’s long-term transportation plan;
  • Provide a public forum for the development of transportation policy across the state
    • This would mean no more local meetings across the state and no public forums that would “…elicit the public’s views on transportation services and the means of minimizing adverse social, economic, environmental, and energy impact of transportation programs;” and
  • Develop policy proposals and guidance for the Governor and Legislature on key issue areas, including:
    • Transportation finance
    • Preservation, maintenance, and operations for the statewide system
    • Transportation infrastructure needs
    • Best practices for transportation agencies and programs
    • Efficiencies that improve service delivery and coordination
    • Improved planning and coordination among transportation agencies and providers, and
    • Use of intelligent transportation systems and other technology-based solutions.

The proposed changes could have wide-ranging, long-term impacts for Washington’s transportation system by limiting the voice of locals in statewide transportation development and impairing the Legislature’s ability to anticipate and prepare for long-term challenges. Furthermore, it would fall to system owners and special interest representatives, who naturally advocate for their self-interest, to communicate to the Legislature about transportation needs, removing critical guidance on how the whole system can move ahead in a coordinated manner.

AWC encourages cities and towns to contact your legislators, along with AWC staff, and share your experiences with WSTC adding value to your community and the state.

The House transportation budgets do not reflect the Senate’s proposed changes to the WSTC.

Both the House and Senate voted their respective transportation budgets off the floor on Saturday, March 29. Negotiations among the two chambers to agree on a final state budget will now commence in earnest.