Councilmember Hughes’ efforts in Olympia

On Monday, May 11, 2015, Gov. Jay Inslee signed engrossed house bill 1868 into law. The bill broadens the state statute defined list of expenditures (RCW 36.82.070) governing the county road fund to include “marine uses relating to navigation and moorage.”

May 22, 2015 7:20 pm
Councilmember Hughes’ effort in Olympia was aided by state Rep. Kristine Lytton who introduced the bill
Councilmember Hughes’ effort in Olympia was aided by state Rep. Kristine Lytton who introduced the bill

On Monday, May 11, 2015, Gov. Jay Inslee signed engrossed house bill 1868 into law.  The bill broadens the state statute defined list of expenditures (RCW 36.82.070) governing the county road fund to include “marine uses relating to navigation and moorage.”

Practically, the change in definition will allow San Juan County to expend money from its road fund on maintaining, improving and replacing a variety of County marine facilities including but not limited to Odlin dock, Obstruction Pass boat launch, and Hunter Bay dock and boat ramp.

The impetus for the bill came from San Juan Councilmember Rick Hughes who has long advocated for state, county and grant funding to support the County’s many marine facilities.  Hughes commented “for a community surround entirely by water, we have to have an effective transportation system that includes both good roads and marine facilities – our way of life and economy depend on it.”

Councilmember Hughes’ effort in Olympia was aided by state Rep. Kristine Lytton who introduced the bill, and supported by state Rep. Jeff Morris and state Senator Pam Roach.