Legislative Update

AAA supports the needs of our members through lobbying efforts and programs to inform the public of issues that might effect them as motorists.

Washington

The Washington Legislature convened on January 9 for its 2012 session which was one of the most challenging in the state's history. Lawmakers faced a general fund budget shortfall for the 2012-2014 biennium that approached $2 billion, including adequate budget reserves. The legislature is crafting an all-cuts budget and then will work on an alternative proposal to submit to the voters to include increased revenues to help "buy back" some of the programs that would otherwise have to be cut. The goal is to have a special election sometime in April to vote on the budget proposal, although political pundits acknowledge that this may be an overly optimistic timeline.

Even though the general fund budget is a primary focus of the 2012 session, transportation also is receiving considerable attention. Gov. Gregoire has submitted legislation for a $3.7 billion transportation maintenance and preservation funding package paid for by fees and taxes.

Among the transportation and traffic safety issues being addressed by legislators this session are bills to authorize tolling the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement tunnel and Columbia River Crossing bridge, legislation to strengthen the state's secured load law to cover loads of dirt, sand, rocks and gravel, the use of red light cameras, a bill to give local authorities the ability to establish a maximum 20 mph speed limit on non-arterial highways, and another that would authorize the use of alternative traction devices during inclement weather.

Idaho

Lawmakers gathered in Boise on January 9 to open the 2012 Idaho Legislative Session. Some transportation and traffic safety issues being addressed include a prohibition on the use of handheld cell phones while driving, defining "texting" and providing a penalty for texting while operating a motor vehicle, legislation that makes speed limits for large trucks the same as for cars, transportation funding that supports the equitable distribution of costs by various highway user groups, and legislation to support the existing public school teen driver education training program.

You Can Make a Difference!

Legislators like to hear from their constituents. Since you help elect, or not elect them, legislators listen to what you have to say!

The links on this page will allow you to navigate the respective states' legislative pages to find out who your legislators are if you don't already know, how to contact them, obtain general information about the legislature and the legislative process, look up information on specific bills and votes, locate committee schedules and agendas, and request legislative documents. You can even sign up to get updates on the status of any bills you have a particular interest in when the legislatures are in session.

Both states have Legislative information Centers whose main purpose is to provide a link between legislators and their constituents. You can telephone or email the information centers to leave messages for your legislators or questions you may have about bills or laws.

The following is the contact information for each Legislative Information Center: