BP BHEAD INT H

AN ACT Relating to state agency commute trip reduction programs; amending RCW 43.41.130 and 43.41.140; reenacting and amending RCW 46.08.172; adding new sections to chapter 43.01 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that reducing the number of commute trips to work is an effective way of reducing automobile-related air pollution, traffic congestion, and energy use. The legislature intends that state agencies shall assume a leadership role in implementing programs to reduce vehicle miles traveled and single-occupant vehicle commuting, under RCW 70.94.521 through 70.94.551.

The legislature has established and directed an interagency task force to consider mechanisms for funding state agency commute trip reduction programs; and to consider and recommend policies for employee incentives for commuting by other than single-occupant vehicles, and policies for the use of state-owned vehicles.

It is the purpose of this act to provide state agencies with the authority to provide employee incentives, including subsidies for use of high occupancy vehicles to meet commute trip reduction goals, and to remove existing statutory barriers for state agencies to use public funds, including parking revenue, to operate, maintain, lease, or construct parking facilities at state-owned and leased facilities, to reduce parking subsidies, and to support commute trip reduction programs.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.01 RCW to read as follows:

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Guaranteed ride home" means an assured ride home for commuters participating in a commute trip reduction program who are not able to use their normal commute mode because of personal emergencies.

(2) "Pledged" means parking revenue designated through any means, including moneys received from the natural resource building, which is used for the debt service payment of bonds issued for parking facilities.

Sec. 3. RCW 43.41.130 and 1982 c 163 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:

The director of financial management, after consultation with other interested or affected state agencies, shall establish overall policies governing the acquisition, operation, management, maintenance, repair, and disposal of, all passenger motor vehicles owned or operated by any state agency. Such policies shall include but not be limited to a definition of what constitutes authorized use of a state owned or controlled passenger motor vehicle and other motor vehicles on official state business. The definition shall include, but not be limited to, the use of state-owned motor vehicles for commuter ride sharing so long as the entire capital depreciation and operational expense of the commuter ride-sharing arrangement is paid by the commuters. The definition may also include the authority for family members of state employees to ride in state vehicles while the vehicle is being used for commuter ride sharing, as defined in RCW 46.74.010. Any use other than such defined use shall be considered as personal use.

Such policies shall also include the widest possible use of gasohol and cost-effective alternative fuels in all motor vehicles owned or operated by any state agency. As used in this section, "gasohol" means motor vehicle fuel which contains more than nine and one-half percent alcohol by volume.

Sec. 4. RCW 43.41.140 and 1979 c 151 s 119 are each amended to read as follows:

Pursuant to policies and regulations promulgated by the office of financial management ((~~after consultation with and approval by the automotive policy board~~)), an elected state officer or ((~~his~~)) delegate or a state agency director or ((~~his~~)) delegate may permit an employee ((~~commuting~~)) to commute in a state-owned or leased vehicle ((~~only~~)) if such travel is on official business, as determined in accordance with RCW 43.41.130, and is determined to be economical and advantageous to the state, or as part of a commute trip reduction program as required by RCW 70.94.551.

Sec. 5. RCW 46.08.172 and 1991 sp.s. c 31 s 12 and 1991 sp.s. c 13 s 41 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

((~~There is hereby established an account in the state treasury to be known as the "state capitol vehicle parking account".~~)) The director of the department of general administration shall establish equitable and consistent parking rental fees for state-owned or leased property, to be charged to employees, visitors, clients, service providers, and others, that reflect the legislature's intent to reduce state subsidization of parking. All fees shall take into account the market rate of comparable privately owned rental parking, as determined by the director. ((All unpledged parking rental income collected by the department of general administration from rental of parking space on the capitol grounds and the east capitol site shall be deposited in the "state capitol vehicle parking account".))

The director may delegate the responsibility for the collection of parking fees to other agencies of state government when cost-effective.

((~~The "state capitol vehicle parking account" shall be used to pay costs incurred in the operation, maintenance, regulation and enforcement of vehicle parking and parking facilities.~~))

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 43.01 RCW to read as follows:

There is hereby established an account in the state treasury to be known as the "state capitol vehicle parking account." All parking rental income collected from rental of parking space at state-owned or leased property shall be deposited in the "state capitol vehicle parking account." Revenue deposited in the "state capitol vehicle parking account" shall be first applied to pledged purposes. Unpledged parking revenues deposited in the "state capitol vehicle parking account" may be used to:

(1) Pay costs incurred in the operation, maintenance, regulation, and enforcement of vehicle parking and parking facilities on state-owned or leased properties;

(2) Support commute trip reduction programs under RCW 70.94.521 through 70.94.551; and

(3) Support the lease costs and/or capital investment costs of vehicle parking and parking facilities at agency-owned and leased facilities off the capitol campus.

Distribution of funds from the "state capitol vehicle parking account" will be made by the office of financial management after considering recommendations from the director of general administration and the interagency task force for commute trip reduction, under RCW 70.94.551.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. A new section is added to chapter 43.01 RCW to read as follows:

State agencies may, subject to appropriation and under the internal revenue code rules, use public funds to financially assist agency-approved carpools, vanpools, purchase of transit and ferry passes, and guaranteed ride home programs, if the financial assistance is an element of the agency's commute trip reduction program as required under RCW 70.94.521 through 70.94.551. This section does not permit any payment for the use of state-owned vehicles for commuter ride sharing.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. A new section is added to chapter 43.01 RCW to read as follows:

All state higher education institutions are exempt from section 6 of this act.