1317-S AAS 4/8/99

1317-S AAS 4/8/99

SHB 1317 - S COMM AMD S2606.1

By Committee on Transportation

ADOPTED AS AMENDED (Flr 315) 4/8/99

Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

"Sec. 1. RCW 47.80.023 and 1998 c 171 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

Each regional transportation planning organization shall have the following duties:

(1) Prepare and periodically update a transportation strategy for the region. The strategy shall address alternative transportation modes and transportation demand management measures in regional corridors and shall recommend preferred transportation policies to implement adopted growth strategies. The strategy shall serve as a guide in preparation of the regional transportation plan.

(2) Prepare a regional transportation plan as set forth in RCW 47.80.030 that is consistent with county-wide planning policies if such have been adopted pursuant to chapter 36.70A RCW, with county, city, and town comprehensive plans, and state transportation plans.

(3) Certify by December 31, 1996, that the transportation elements of comprehensive plans adopted by counties, cities, and towns within the region reflect the guidelines and principles developed pursuant to RCW 47.80.026, are consistent with the adopted regional transportation plan, and, where appropriate, conform with the requirements of RCW 36.70A.070.

(4) Where appropriate, certify that county-wide planning policies adopted under RCW 36.70A.210 and the adopted regional transportation plan are consistent.

(5) Develop, in cooperation with the department of transportation, operators of public transportation services and local governments within the region, a six-year regional transportation improvement program which proposes regionally significant transportation projects and programs and transportation demand management measures. The regional transportation improvement program shall be based on the programs, projects, and transportation demand management measures of regional significance as identified by transit agencies, cities, and counties pursuant to RCW 35.58.2795, 35.77.010, and 36.81.121, respectively. The program shall include a priority list of projects and programs, project segments and programs, transportation demand management measures, and a specific financial plan that demonstrates how the transportation improvement program can be funded. The program shall be updated at least every two years for the ensuing six-year period. Regional transportation planning organizations shall provide to the legislators whose districts are within the boundaries of the organization notification of available publications. Upon request by legislators, the regional transportation planning organization shall provide a schedule of six-year transportation improvement program decision process points, updates, and amendments to the six-year transportation improvement program.

(6) Designate a lead planning agency to coordinate preparation of the regional transportation plan and carry out the other responsibilities of the organization. The lead planning agency may be a regional organization, a component county, city, or town agency, or the appropriate Washington state department of transportation district office.

(7) Review level of service methodologies used by cities and counties planning under chapter 36.70A RCW to promote a consistent regional evaluation of transportation facilities and corridors.

(8) Work with cities, counties, transit agencies, the department of transportation, and others to develop level of service standards or alternative transportation performance measures.

Sec. 2. RCW 47.80.040 and 1990 1st ex.s. c 17 s 56 are each amended to read as follows:

Each regional transportation planning organization shall create a transportation policy board. Transportation policy boards shall provide policy advice to the regional transportation planning organization and shall allow representatives of major employers within the region, the department of transportation, transit districts, port districts, and member cities, towns, and counties within the region to participate in policy making. Any members of the house of representatives or the state senate whose districts are within the boundaries of the regional transportation planning organization are considered ex officio, nonvoting policy board members of the regional transportation planning organization. This does not preclude legislators from becoming full-time, voting board members.

Sec. 3. RCW 47.80.070 and 1994 c 158 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

In order to ensure state-wide consistency in the regional transportation planning process, the state department of transportation, in conformance with chapter 34.05 RCW, shall:

(1) In cooperation with regional transportation planning organizations, establish minimum standards for development of a regional transportation plan;

(2) Facilitate coordination between regional transportation planning organizations; and

(3) Through the regional transportation planning process, and through state planning efforts as required by RCW 47.01.071, identify and jointly plan ((~~improvements and strategies~~)) the most efficient strategy to address identified deficiencies, including investments in modal integration within those corridors important to moving people and goods on a regional ((or)) and state-wide basis.

Sec. 4. RCW 47.06.050 and 1993 c 446 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

The state-owned facilities component of the state-wide transportation plan shall be consistent with RCW 47.06.040 and shall identify the most cost-effective combination of transportation investments that maximizes the efficient movement of people, freight, and goods within state transportation corridors, to include public-private transportation initiatives. The identification process shall include the modal comparison of highway, ferry, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities, passenger rail, air transportation, public transit, transportation demand measures, and high-capacity transportation improvements within a state transportation corridor. The comparison of transportation modes shall include an analysis of the public, private, and social costs and benefits of transportation investments. The state-owned facilities component of the state-wide transportation plan shall also consist of:

(1) The state highway system plan, which identifies program and financing needs and recommends specific and financially realistic improvements to preserve the structural integrity of the state highway system, ensure acceptable operating conditions, and provide for enhanced access to scenic, recreational, and cultural resources. The state highway system plan shall contain the following elements:

(a) A system preservation element, which shall establish structural preservation objectives for the state highway system including bridges, identify current and future structural deficiencies based upon analysis of current conditions and projected future deterioration, and recommend program funding levels and specific actions necessary to preserve the structural integrity of the state highway system consistent with adopted objectives. This element shall serve as the basis for the preservation component of the six-year highway program and the two-year biennial budget request to the legislature;

(b) A capacity and operational improvement element, which shall establish operational objectives, including safety considerations, for moving people and goods on the state highway system, identify current and future capacity, operational, and safety deficiencies, and recommend program funding levels and specific improvements and strategies necessary to achieve the operational objectives. In developing capacity and operational improvement plans the department shall first assess strategies to enhance the operational efficiency of the existing system before recommending system expansion. Congestion relief must be a primary emphasis of the capacity and operational improvement element. Strategies to enhance the operational efficiencies include but are not limited to access management, transportation system management, demand management, and high-occupancy vehicle facilities. The capacity and operational improvement element must conform to the state implementation plan for air quality and be consistent with regional transportation plans adopted under chapter 47.80 RCW, and shall serve as the basis for the capacity and operational improvement portions of the six-year highway program and the two-year biennial budget request to the legislature;

(c) A scenic and recreational highways element, which shall identify and recommend designation of scenic and recreational highways, provide for enhanced access to scenic, recreational, and cultural resources associated with designated routes, and recommend a variety of management strategies to protect, preserve, and enhance these resources. The department, affected counties, cities, and towns, regional transportation planning organizations, and other state or federal agencies shall jointly develop this element;

(d) A paths and trails element, which shall identify the needs of nonmotorized transportation modes on the state transportation systems and provide the basis for the investment of state transportation funds in paths and trails, including funding provided under chapter 47.30 RCW.

(2) The state ferry system plan, which shall guide capital and operating investments in the state ferry system. The plan shall establish service objectives for state ferry routes, forecast travel demand for the various markets served in the system, and develop strategies for ferry system investment that consider regional and state-wide vehicle and passenger needs, support local land use plans, and assure that ferry services are fully integrated with other transportation services. The plan shall assess the role of private ferries operating under the authority of the utilities and transportation commission and shall coordinate ferry system capital and operational plans with these private operations. The ferry system plan must be consistent with the regional transportation plans for areas served by the state ferry system, and shall be developed in conjunction with the ferry advisory committees."

SHB 1317 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Transportation

ADOPTED AS AMENDED (Flr 315) 4/8/99

On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "planning" strike the remainder of the title and insert "and the state-owned facilities component of the state-wide transportation plan and intercity passenger rail; and amending RCW 47.80.23, 47.80.040, 47.80.070, and 47.06.050."