H-1988.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 2165
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 52nd Legislature 1991 Regular Session
By Representative Heavey.
Read first time March 5, 1991. Referred to Committee on State Government.
AN ACT Relating to an examination of transportation management in the state of Washington; creating new sections; making an appropriation; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature declares its great concern over the functioning and management of the entire Washington state transportation system and its management and governance. The legislature has concerns about the role of the governor, the secretary of transportation, the department of transportation, the transportation commission, the legislative transportation committee, the legislative transportation executive committee, the standing committees on transportation of the senate and the house of representatives, the legislature as a whole, and input from citizens.
The legislature recognizes its need for accurate and current information to properly assess the state's transportation system before taking action.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) The legislative budget committee shall, by competitive bid, hire a qualified consultant to conduct phase I of a study that will establish the scope of the larger study that will address, at a minimum, all concerns expressed in this act. The legislative budget committee shall make the award for the phase I study within ninety days of the effective date of this act. The phase I study shall, at a minimum, interview each member of the legislature to determine their concerns that may be included in the scope of the phase II study. The phase I study shall be completed and a report made to the legislative budget committee within sixty days of the award of the phase I contract.
(2) Within sixty days of the award of the phase I contract, the legislative budget committee shall, by competitive bid, award a contract for phase II of the study. The phase II study shall allow for extensive citizen and legislative input. It shall evaluate all pertinent aspects concerning the governance and management of the state's transportation system, and compare the system to alternative systems in other states. The study shall offer to address problems with alternative forms of transportation governance with a maximum of democratic input and protection of the rights of the less-populated areas of the state. Phase II shall review all audits, reports, and complaints concerning the state's transportation system. The phase II study shall be completed and a final report made to the legislative budget committee by December 1, 1991.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The sum of two million two hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the motor vehicle fund to the legislative budget committee for the fiscal biennium ending June 30, 1993, to carry out the purposes of this act. Of this amount, no more than two hundred thousand dollars may be used for phase I of the study, and no more than two million dollars may be used for phase II of the study.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. 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 shall take effect immediately.