Brief Description: Creating a citizen oversight panel to measure performance of the state's transportation system.

Sponsors: Representatives Romero, Wallace and Murray.

Hearing Date: 1/20/03

Staff: Reema Griffith (786-7301).

Background:

The public's opinion on how transportation dollars are being spent indicates there is a need to strengthen accountability for the performance of the state's transportation system. One approach to providing increased accountability would be to create an opportunity for citizens of the state to actually be a part of the state transportation accountability effort in which performance measures and benchmarks are being established and monitored.

Summary of Bill:

House Bill 1120 creates a Citizen Oversight Panel which will be comprised of seven members appointed by the Governor who will serve terms of four years. The members of the Panel must be chosen so that the Panel will have experience and expertise related to, but not limited to the following areas:

      •    Performance measurement and attainment, and best management practices.

      •    Budgeting and accounting, cost controls, and reporting.

      •    Transportation planning and congestion management. 

      •    Public transportation and transit agency operations.

      •    Civil engineering.

      •    Transportation construction management and administration.

      •    Construction work force training and safety.

      •    Crafting and implementing environmental mitigation plans.

The Panel will oversee and review the establishment and attainment of transportation performance measures directed under current law. The Panel will also work with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) in establishing, reviewing and revising state transportation performance measures and benchmarks.

The Panel may make recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature on the need to revise or add policy goals to those currently in statute that will result in increased efficiencies, create savings, and improve the delivery of transportation services to the public. The Panel must issue an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature detailing the Panel's research activities, their findings and any recommendations, and a status report on the performance measures currently in use by WSDOT and the results of those measures.

The Panel is authorized to hire secretarial and professional staff to support them in executing their duties and responsibilities. Data and information technology support will be provided by the Legislative Evaluation and Accountability Program. The Panel will be compensated from the general appropriation for the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee. The Panel must keep proper records and is subject to audit by the State Auditor or other auditing entities.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 16, 2003.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.