Washington Business Fall 2015 | Legislative Review | Page 30

2015 legislative review Infrastructure Michael Ennis: Transportation, Aviation The 2015 legislative session presented a number of significant budget challenges for lawmakers, but after the 105-day regular session and three special sessions, the Legislature finally adopted a comprehensive, statewide transportation revenue and reform package. AWB members made this a top priority for the business community and it has been a decade since Washington invested in transportation infrastructure, despite deteriorating road conditions and population and employment growth. The $16.3 billion package raises the state motor vehicle fuel tax by 11.9 cents per gallon and funds about $8.8 billion in new road projects, including the North-South freeway in Spokane, State Route 520 in Seattle, and State Route 167 in Tacoma. The package also raises about $1.2 billion in road preservation funding, $170 million in freight rail improvements, and $375 million for city and county road projects. The Legislature also adopted a series of transportation reforms aimed at reducing project costs and delays, improving accountability and transparency, and streamlined permitting. And for the first time since the practice was started in 1971, sales tax dollars on gas tax-funded projects will be coming back to the transportation budget from the general fund. The transportation package also contains several important environmental considerations, including $1 billion in transit/bicycle/ pedestrian projects, authority for Sound Transit officials to ask voters to fund a $15 billion light rail extension in the Puget Sound Region, incentives for alternative fuel commercial vehicles, incentives for electric vehicles, and a commute trip reduction tax credit for businesses. Finally, the Legislature adopted a provision that protects consumers from hidden gas taxes that would come from a low-carbon fuel standard. Combined, these investments make Kristal Fiser, UPS, center, testifies in favor of the transportation package as part of this transportation package one of the most envia slate of AWB-led panels. Joining her are AWB President Kris Johnson, left, and ronmentally friendly in state history. Washington Roundtable President Steve Mullin. 2ESSB 5987/2ESSB 5988/ ESSB 5989 statewide revenue package Passed/AWB Supported AWB supported Senate Bills 5987, 5988, and 5989, sponsored by Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, which make up the statewide transportation revenue package. The bills impose an 11.9 cent gas tax increase and various other transportation related fees to fund $16.3 billion in transportation improvements across the state. Accompanying the revenue package 28 association of washington business were several transportation reforms that AWB also supported, including: SB 5990, sales taxes on transportation projects (incorporated in SB 5987); SB 5992, modifying requirements for ferry vessel construction; SB 5993, labor reform; SB 5994, environmental permitting; SB 5995, adding congestion relief as a statewide transportation goal; SB 5996, streamlining Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) permit process; SB 5997, concerning project delivery; HB 1219, streamlining permitting for structurally deficient state bridges; HB 1842, transit agency coordination; HB 1851, expedited permits and contracting process for structurally deficient local bridges; and HB 2012, using practical design principles in WSDOT project development. The Legislature also adopted a provision to protect Washington consumers from hidden gas taxes found in a low-carbon fuel standard. 2ESSB 5987 passed by a vote of 37-7 in the Senate and 54-44 in the House. 2ESSB 5988 passed the Senate 38-6 and the House 61-30. ESSB 5989 passed the Senate with a vote of 40-7 and the House by a vote of 63-29.