BILL REQ. #:  H-3842.2 

Read first time 01/19/2004.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to conduct aboard Washington State Ferries; adding a new section to chapter 47.60 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 47.60 RCW to read as follows:
     The legislature finds that public peace and safety are an essential element of the service provided to the traveling public that ride the Washington State Ferries. To that end, the Washington state department of transportation shall adopt administrative rules or policies to implement the following:
     (1) The purchase of a ticket for passage by the public for transport on any established route maintained by the Washington State Ferries entitles the ticket holder to the use of a single seat during vessel passage. Once a vessel is under way, use of one or more unclaimed seats is permitted by a ticket holder under the following conditions:
     (a) No such seat is reserved or blocked from use before departure; and
     (b) No other ticket holder who lacks a seat may be denied or prevented from using additional seats being used by a single ticket holder;
     (2) A process for crew members to assist ticket holders who are seeking a vacant seat and are unable to find one; and
     (3) A process for ticket holders to file a complaint and receive assistance from the crew when unable to obtain a seat from another ticket holder who is occupying more than one seat.
     Washington State Ferries may deny passage to a ticket holder who ignores or abuses the seating conditions outlined in this section. To ensure public notice and understanding of the one ticket/one seat policy, Washington State Ferries shall include the limitation as a notice on the ticket and on signs posted in each terminal and vessel.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.