The Joint Transportation Committee (JTC) began convening four separate task forces to study issues affecting the future of city transportation polices. During the 2018 legislative session, the Legislature adopted several budget provisos that establish JTC task forces to study a variety of city transportation issues.
City transportation funding study
The Legislature directed the JTC to study the current state of city transportation funding, identify emerging issues, and recommend funding sources to meet current and future needs. The report is due June 30, 2019. The JTC is in process of retaining a consultant for this study. AWC is on this task force.
Regulation of taxi and for-hire vehicle study
The Legislature directed the JTC to conduct a study of taxi and for-hire services regulated by the state, local governments, and port districts. The study shall compare state and local regulation of these private passenger transportation services and may include recommendations for improving the consistency or overall effectiveness and competitive fairness of the current regulatory framework. This task force is working in tandem with the transportation network companies study. The report is due January 14, 2019. AWC is on this task force.
Regulations of transportation network companies study
The Legislature directed the JTC to study the regulation of transportation network companies (TNCs) in Washington. Past legislative efforts over multiple years to consolidate the regulation of TNCs have not been successful. The study will research the regulatory framework used by local jurisdictions within Washington and in other states, evaluate the most effective public safety aspects of a regulatory framework, and assess the most efficient and effective regulatory structures for TNCs. The JTC must provide its findings and recommendations by January 14, 2019. AWC is on this task force.
Capital needs of public transit systems
The Legislature directed the JTC to study the capital needs of public transportation systems operated by public transportation benefit areas, metropolitan municipal corporations, cities, counties, and county transportation authorities. The study will include an inventory of each agency’s fleet, facilities, and replacement and expansion needs. The study will also look at funding sources available to cover these costs. A final report is due on March 1, 2019.