5084-S

AN ACT Relating to state agency commute trip reduction programs; amending RCW 43.01.230, 43.01.225, 46.08.172, and 43.99H.070; and adding new sections to chapter 43.01 RCW.

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

Sec. 1. RCW 43.01.230 and 1993 c 394 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

State agencies may, ((~~subject to appropriation and~~)) under the internal revenue code rules, use public funds to financially assist agency-approved incentives for alternative commute modes, including but not limited to carpools, vanpools, purchase of transit and ferry passes, and guaranteed ride home programs, if the financial assistance is an element of the agency's commute trip reduction program as required under RCW 70.94.521 through 70.94.551. This section does not permit any payment for the use of state-owned vehicles for commuter ride sharing.

Sec. 2. RCW 43.01.225 and 1993 c 394 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) There is hereby established an account in the state treasury to be known as the "state ((~~capitol~~)) vehicle parking account." All parking rental income ((~~collected from rental of parking space~~)) resulting from parking fees established by the department of general administration under RCW 46.08.172 at state-owned or leased property shall be deposited in the "state ((~~capitol~~)) vehicle parking account." Revenue deposited in the "state ((~~capitol~~)) vehicle parking account" shall be first applied to pledged purposes. Unpledged parking revenues deposited in the "state ((~~capitol~~)) vehicle parking account" may be used to:

(1) Pay costs incurred in the operation, maintenance, regulation, and enforcement of vehicle parking and parking facilities ((~~on state-owned or leased properties~~));

(2) Support the lease costs and/or capital investment costs of vehicle parking and parking facilities ((~~at agency-owned and leased facilities off the capitol campus~~)); and

(3) Support agency commute trip reduction programs under RCW 70.94.521 through 70.94.551.

((Distribution of funds from the "state capitol vehicle parking account" are subject to appropriation by the legislature and will be made by the office of financial management after considering recommendations from the director of general administration and the interagency task force for commute trip reduction, under RCW 70.94.551.))

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 43.01 RCW to read as follows:

(1) There is hereby established an account in the state treasury to be known as the state agency parking account. All parking income collected from the fees imposed by state agencies on parking spaces at state-owned or leased facilities, including the capitol campus, shall be deposited in the state agency parking account. Only the office of financial management may authorize expenditures from the account. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for expenditures. No agency may receive an allotment greater than the amount of revenue deposited into the state agency parking account.

(2) An agency may, as an element of the agency's commute trip reduction program to achieve the goals set forth in RCW 70.94.527, impose parking rental fees at state-owned and leased properties. These fees will be deposited in the state agency parking account. Funds shall be used by agencies to: (a) Support the agencies' commute trip reduction program under RCW 70.94.521 through 70.94.551; (b) support the agencies' parking program; or (c) support the lease or ownership costs for the agencies' parking facilities.

(3) In order to reduce the state's subsidization of employee parking, after July 1997 agencies shall not enter into leases for employee parking in excess of building code requirements, except as authorized by the director of general administration.

Sec. 4. RCW 46.08.172 and 1993 c 394 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

The director of the department of general administration ((~~shall~~)) may establish equitable and consistent parking rental fees ((~~for state-owned or leased property~~)) and may, if requested by agencies, establish equitable and consistent parking rental fees for agencies off the capitol campus, to be charged to employees, visitors, clients, service providers, and others, that reflect the legislature's intent to reduce state subsidization of parking or to meet the commute trip reduction goals established in RCW 70.94.527. ((The department shall solicit representatives from affected state agencies, employees, and state employee bargaining units to meet as regional committees. These regional committees will advise the director on parking rental fees, taking into account the market rate of comparable, privately owned rental parking in each region. In the event that such fees become part of a collective bargaining agreement and there is a conflict between the agency and the collective bargaining unit, the terms of the collective bargaining agreement shall prevail.)) All fees shall take into account the market rate of comparable privately owned rental parking, as determined by the director. However, parking rental fees are not to exceed the local market rate of comparable privately owned rental parking.

The director may delegate the responsibility for the collection of parking fees to other agencies of state government when cost-effective.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 43.01 RCW to read as follows:

All institutions of higher education as defined under RCW 28B.10.016 are exempt from the requirements under RCW 43.01.225.

Sec. 6. RCW 43.99H.070 and 1989 1st ex.s. c 14 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:

In addition to any other charges authorized by law and to assist in the reimbursement of principal and interest payments on bonds issued for the purposes of RCW 43.99H.020(15), the following revenues may be collected:

(1) The director of general administration may assess a charge against each state board, commission, agency, office, department, activity, or other occupant of the facility or building constructed with bonds issued for the purposes of RCW 43.99H.020(15) for payment of a proportion of costs for each square foot of floor space assigned to or occupied by the entity. Payment of the amount billed to the entity for such occupancy shall be made quarterly during each fiscal year. The director of general administration shall deposit the payment in the capitol campus reserve account.

(2) The director of general administration may pledge a portion of the parking rental income collected by the department of general administration from parking space developed as a part of the facility constructed with bonds issued for the purposes of RCW 43.99H.020(15). The pledged portion of this income shall be deposited in the capitol campus reserve account. The unpledged portion of this income shall continue to be deposited in the state ((~~capitol~~)) vehicle parking account.

(3) The state treasurer shall transfer four million dollars from the capitol building construction account to the capitol campus reserve account each fiscal year from 1990 to 1995. Beginning in fiscal year 1996, the director of general administration, in consultation with the state finance committee, shall determine the necessary amount for the state treasurer to transfer from the capitol building construction account to the capitol campus reserve account for the purpose of repayment of the general fund of the costs of the bonds issued for the purposes of RCW 43.99H.020(15).

(4) Any remaining balance in the state building and parking bond redemption account after the final debt service payment shall be transferred to the capitol campus reserve account.