| SB 5513.E - DIGEST |
| (DIGEST AS ENACTED) |
Finds that it is in the interest of the state to restructure the roles and responsibilities of the state's transportation agencies in order to improve efficiency and accountability. |
Finds that continued citizen oversight of the state's transportation system remains an important priority. To achieve these purposes, the legislature intends to provide direct accountability of the department of transportation to the governor, in his or her role as chief executive officer of state government, by making the secretary of transportation a cabinet-level official. |
Declares that it is essential to clearly delineate between the separate and distinct roles and responsibilities of the executive and legislative branches of government. The role of executive is to oversee the implementation of transportation programs, while the legislature reserves to itself the role of policymaking. Finally, consolidating public outreach and auditing of the state's transportation agencies under a single citizen-governed entity, the transportation commission, will provide the public with information about the performance of the transportation system and an avenue for direct participation in its oversight. |
Repeals RCW 44.40.010, 44.40.013, 44.40.015, 44.40.030, 44.40.040, 44.40.090, 44.40.140, 44.40.150, 44.40.161, 53.08.350, 44.40.020, 44.40.070, 44.40.080, 44.40.100, 46.23.040, 47.01.145, 47.05.090, 47.12.360, 47.76.340, 47.74.010, and 47.74.020. |
| VETO MESSAGE ON SB 5513 |
| May 9, 2005 |
| To the Honorable President and Members, |
| The Senate of the State of Washington |
| Ladies and Gentlemen: |
| I am returning, without my approval as to Section 14, Engrossed Senate Bill No. 5513 entitled: |
"AN ACT Relating to restructuring of certain transportation agencies;" |
| The Legislature has created, through this bill, the Joint Transportation Committee to conduct a unilateral study of the appropriate functions of the Department of Transportation (Department) and the Transportation Commission (Commission). Now that the Department is a cabinet level agency, it is critical that the executive branch exercise its responsibility for reviewing the powers, functions, roles and duties of the Department and the Commission. |
| The Legislature passed several bills this session that redefine the roles of the Department and the Commission, and the relationship of those agencies to the Legislature. I am directing my staff to work with the Department and the Commission to examine the statutory roles and duties of the agencies, including transportation innovative partnerships, and report back to me with any recommendations for change. I invite the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Transportation Committees and the Joint Transportation Committee to join the executive branch in this analysis with the hope that a joint recommendation can be submitted for consideration during the 2006 legislative session. |
| For these reasons, I have vetoed Section 14 of Engrossed Senate Bill No. 5513. |
| With the exception of Section 14, Engrossed Senate Bill No. 5513 is approved. |
| Respectfully submitted, |
| Christine O. Gregoire |
| Governor |