AN ACT Relating to additional state ferry vessels; adding new sections to chapter 47.60 RCW; creating a new section; 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 and declares that there is a compelling need for the construction of additional state ferry vessels and corresponding terminal improvements in order to provide more capacity and frequent service to meet the forecasted travel demands of citizens traveling on Puget Sound ferry routes. The vessel technology required must provide additional travel options for high growth ferry routes through increased passenger-only ferry service.

The 1989 west corridor study evaluated cross-sound travel through the year 2020 and identified the Southworth to Seattle and the Kingston to Seattle passenger-only ferry routes as promising based on criteria evaluating cost effectiveness, time savings, physical constraints to operation, nonduplication of current service, and ability to relieve congestion.

Furthermore, as a result of legislative direction provided in the 1991-93 transportation budget to the state transportation commission to evaluate and determine the location of new passenger-only ferry routes, the commission reviewed several service alternatives, determined that the Southworth to Seattle and Kingston to Seattle routes ranked highest, and directed the Washington state ferries to proceed with the design and permitting processes for passenger-only terminals at both Southworth and Kingston.

The legislature also finds and declares that there is a compelling need for the construction of a Jumbo Class Mark II ferry vessel. The long-range travel demand for trips from Central and North Kitsap Peninsula to the Seattle and Edmonds mainland ferry terminals indicate a one hundred twenty-two percent forecast increase in peak travel demand over the next twenty years between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. In order to support the economic growth of the Puget Sound region and meet the forecasted citizen cross-sound travel demand, the Washington state ferry system must provide reliable ferry vessel operations that cannot be maintained with the existing aging super class ferry capacity.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 47.60 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The department is authorized to proceed with the acquisition, procurement, and construction of a maximum of: (a) Four passenger-only vessels that respond to the service demands of state ferry service on the Southworth to Seattle and Kingston to Seattle ferry routes, including the terminal and docking facilities necessary to accommodate such service; and (b) a Jumbo Class Mark II ferry. The acquisition, procurement, and construction of vessels and terminals authorized herein shall be undertaken in accordance with the authority provided in RCW 47.56.030.

(2) A Jumbo Class Mark II ferry constructed under the requirements of subsection (1) of this section shall be of comparable quality and design as, and shall incorporate like controls, engines, and a propulsion system utilized in, the Jumbo Class Mark II ferries presently in operation or under construction in order to promote maximum commonality with those vessels.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 47.60 RCW to read as follows:

The department's authority to proceed with the acquisition, procurement, and construction of vessels and terminals authorized under section 2 of this act is contingent on a legislative appropriation approving that authority.

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 takes effect immediately.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. If this act is not referred to by bill or chapter number in a transportation budget, or an omnibus appropriations act, that, by December 31, 1998, either becomes law under Article III, section 12 of the state Constitution or is approved by the people of this state, this act is null and void on December 31, 1998.