H-1412.1
HOUSE BILL 2012
State of Washington
64th Legislature
2015 Regular Session
By Representatives Orcutt, Clibborn, Hargrove, Hayes, Pike, Zeiger, Muri, and Wilson
Read first time 02/06/15. Referred to Committee on Transportation.
AN ACT Relating to the department of transportation implementation of practical design; adding a new section to chapter 47.01 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 "right-sizing" or "practical design" is a lean, performance-based approach to determining project investments. This concept allows an agency additional flexibility to design projects in a manner that meets a community's needs within a lean budget that is more performance based than what may be prescribed by standards manuals without impacting safety or operations. The legislature applauds the current efforts of the department of transportation and intends to provide legal authority to move forward using practical design.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 47.01 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The department must approach project development by applying principles of practical design in appropriate situations so that projects are based on cost efficiencies, community needs, and performance without impacting safety or operations. The department may deviate from standard design manuals in circumstances where applying such standards would result in unnecessary additional costs or inefficient use of materials and resources that would provide an outcome that is in excess of the actual needs of the project.
(2) By November 15, 2016, and annually thereafter, the department must provide a report on its use of practical design to the transportation committees of the senate and house of representatives and the transportation commission. The report must identify: All projects in which practical design was used and how it was implemented, including ferry terminals, rest areas, and parking lots; the estimated cost savings for each project; and what other performance objectives or goals were achieved, if any. The department should also report on projects in which practical design techniques could have been used but were precluded by federal requirements, and identify the federal law, rule, or requirement and circumstances.
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