Committee reports a package of transportation bills out of committee, advances climate-account changes and several transportation measures

The House Appropriations Committee met in executive session on Feb. 9 and moved a slate of transportation-related bills out of committee with "due pass" recommendations after debate and several roll-call votes.

The committee advanced a proposed substitute to House Bill 2,092 to establish a Washington State Amtrak Cascades Passenger Rail Advisory Committee with membership that includes WSDOT, the UTC, the Office of the Governor, transit agencies, BNSF, Amtrak, tribal representation, rail labor, disability advocates, passenger advocates and rider appointees. Representative Reed urged adoption, saying, "This is just a good little bill that is about creating a greater voice for consumers, for users of passenger rail," and the committee reported the substitute out with a due-pass recommendation (clerk reported 20 aye, 6 nay, 3 excused).

A more contested measure, House Bill 2,251, would restructure Climate Commitment Act (CCA) accounts and change how CCA revenue is distributed. The committee considered several amendments: one (JOND402) to broaden allowable uses related to forest carbon retention was adopted; an amendment (JOND401) clarifying that $25,000,000 is intended for Department of Ecology administrative costs was adopted; other amendments to split excess revenues and add transportation uses were put forward and failed. Vice Chair Reid…