BP BHEAD INT H [atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to a comprehensive analysis of state-wide transportation needs and priorities; amending 1998 c 348 s 202 (uncodified); creating a new section; repealing 1999 sp.s. c 1 s 207 (uncodified); providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The transportation improvement board, in cooperation with the freight mobility strategic investment board, shall convene a panel of transportation beneficiaries to conduct a comprehensive analysis of state-wide transportation needs and priorities, existing and potential transportation funding mechanisms, and the policies and practices of governmental entities, private businesses, and labor that affect the delivery of transportation programs and projects. To the extent that it deems it practicable, the board shall use the processes, procedures, materials, and working groups or committees established by the blue ribbon commission on transportation.

(2) The transportation improvement board, together with the freight mobility strategic investment board, shall provide quarterly progress reports to the governor, the transportation committees of the legislature, and the house of representatives and senate fiscal committees and shall report its final findings and recommendations by December 1, 2000.

Sec. 2. 1998 c 348 s 202 (uncodified) is amended to read as follows:

FOR THE LEGISLATIVE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

Motor Vehicle Fund‑-State Appropriation........ $ 3,822,000

Transportation Fund‑-State Appropriation........ $ 250,000

Central Puget Sound Public Transportation

Account--State Appropriation............... $ 100,000

TOTAL APPROPRIATION................. $ 4,172,000

The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations and specified amounts are provided solely for that activity:

(1) In order to meet the growing demand for services the legislative transportation committee shall seek accountability and efficiencies within transportation agency programs through in-depth program evaluations. These program evaluations shall consider:

(a) Whether or not strategic planning and performance-based budgeting is a preferable planning and budgeting tool to the current incremental budgeting process for agency administrative programs and capital program budgeting;

(b) How the programs are performing currently and how service would be affected at different funding levels using performance measures; and

(c) What decision-making tools aid with the budgeting and oversight of these programs, such as tools developed during the maintenance accountability program (MAP) conducted by the legislative transportation committee during the 1995-97 biennium.

(2) In consultation with other legislative committees, the legislative transportation committee shall study ways to enhance budget development tools and presentation documents that will better illustrate agencies' full appropriation authority and the intended outcomes of the appropriation.

(3) The legislative transportation committee shall conduct an evaluation of services provided by the county road administration board, the transportation improvement board and the TransAid division within the department of transportation. The evaluation shall assess whether consolidation of any of these activities will result in efficiencies and improved service delivery. The evaluation shall also assess the funding structure of these organizations to determine whether there are any benefits gained from a more simplified structure. The evaluation shall also assess other funding authorities to see if there is potential for further expansion of these revenues. The committee shall report its findings and recommendations to the 1998 legislature and, if needed, prepare legislation to implement those recommendations. $150,000 of the motor vehicle fund‑-state appropriation is provided for this evaluation.

(4) ((The legislative transportation committee, in cooperation with the house appropriations committee, the senate ways and means committee, and the office of financial management, shall study and report to the legislature its findings regarding the process and procedures for calculation, determination, and collection of the amounts of motor vehicle excise tax (MVET) collected on the sale or lease of motor vehicles in this state. The report shall include findings as to the base amount for calculation of MVET, the amortization schedule for calculation of MVET, and adequacy and efficiency of current systems to provide accurate and timely information to those responsible for determining and collecting the MVET due, including recommendations for determining the MVET due for current and future multiple MVET tax structures. The report must also include a status report as to the progress and feasibility of using third party information providers or using private vendors to collect the MVET. $200,000 of the transportation fund‑-state appropriation is provided for this evaluation including the use of a consultant. This $200,000 amount is null and void if an appropriation for this activity is enacted in any other appropriations bill by June 30, 1997.

~~(5)~~)) During the 1998 interim, the legislative transportation committee shall conduct a study relating to interagency reimbursements, cost allocations, debt service authorizations, and other budget accountability issues.

((~~(7)~~)) (5) The legislative transportation committee shall study the economic and transportation impact of a draw-down of the Columbia/Snake river. At a minimum, the study should address the following issues: (a) Impacts on alternate transportation modes: State and local road deterioration, congestion, safety, rail, and truck capacity; (b) impacts to producers, growers, and shippers, such as access to markets and transportation costs; (c) impacts to river, such as transportation, jobs, and businesses; and (d) impacts on the state's export sales.

((~~(8)~~)) (6) $1,000,000 of the motor vehicle fund‑-state appropriation is provided solely for the following purpose: By June 1, 1998, the legislature and the governor shall convene a panel of transportation beneficiaries to conduct a comprehensive analysis of state-wide transportation needs and priorities; existing and potential transportation funding mechanisms, and the policies and practices of governmental entities, private businesses, and labor that affect the delivery of transportation programs and projects. By May 1, 1998, the speaker of the house of representatives and the majority leader of the senate shall appoint two members from each caucus of the house of representatives and senate and the governor shall appoint individuals representing, at a minimum, the following entities: The governor; state agencies whose policies, practices, and procedures have a direct impact on the delivery of transportation programs, projects, and services; cities; counties; regional transportation planning organizations; ports; passenger rail; light density freight rail; transit agencies; the trucking industry; the steamship industry; major employers; the retail industry; agricultural business; labor; contractors; and the general public.

The panel shall provide quarterly progress reports to the governor, the legislative transportation committee, and the house of representatives and senate fiscal committees and shall report its final findings and recommendations by December 1, 2000.

((~~(9)~~)) (7) Up to $100,000 of the central Puget Sound public transportation account--state appropriation and up to $50,000 of the transportation fund--state appropriation are provided solely for a contracted performance and management audit of selected public transportation systems to ascertain the relative effectiveness and efficiency of those systems and, where appropriate, provide recommendations that would improve efficiency and effectiveness. The audit shall also determine the accuracy of the information contained in the annual public transportation systems report published by the department of transportation.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Effective December 31, 2000, 1999 sp.s. c 1 s 207 (uncodified) is repealed.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Sections 1 and 2 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and take effect immediately.