AN ACT Relating to transportation; amending RCW 41.06.380, 39.12.070, 39.12.080, 47.05.010, 47.05.030, 47.05.035, 47.06.130, 47.05.051, 35.84.060, 47.06.050, and 47.06.090; adding a new section to chapter 47.28 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 49.04 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 47.01 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 47.06 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 39.12 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 36.56 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 36.57A RCW; adding a new section to chapter 46.68 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 81.112 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 36.78 RCW; creating new sections; making an appropriation; and providing effective dates.

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

PART I

ESTABLISHMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

NEW SECTION. Sec. 101. LEGISLATIVE INTENT. It is the intent of the legislature to establish policy goals for the operation, performance of, and investment in, the state's transportation system. The policy goals shall consist of, but not be limited to, the following benchmark categories, adopted by the state's Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation on November 30, 2000. In addition to improving safety, public investments in transportation shall support achievement of these and other priority goals:

No interstate highways, state routes, and local arterials shall be in poor condition; no bridges shall be structurally deficient, and safety retrofits shall be performed on those state bridges at the highest seismic risk levels; traffic congestion on urban state highways shall be significantly reduced and be no worse than the national mean; delay per driver shall be significantly reduced and no worse than the national mean; per capita vehicle miles traveled shall be maintained at 2000 levels; the nonauto share of commuter trips shall be increased in urban areas; administrative costs as a percentage of transportation spending shall achieve the most efficient quartile nationally; and the state's public transit agencies shall achieve the median cost per vehicle revenue hour of peer transit agencies, adjusting for the regional cost-of-living.

These policy goals shall be the basis for establishment of detailed and measurable performance benchmarks.

It is the intent of the legislature that the transportation commission establish performance measures to ensure transportation system performance at local, regional, and state government levels, and the transportation commission should work with appropriate government entities to accomplish this.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 102. Section 101 of this act takes effect July 1, 2002.

PART II

ALTERNATIVE DELIVERY PROCEDURES FOR CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

NEW SECTION. Sec. 201. The legislature finds that there is a pressing need for additional transportation projects to meet the mobility needs of Washington citizens. With major new investments approved to meet these pressing needs, additional work force assistance is necessary to ensure and enhance project delivery timelines. Recruiting and retaining a high quality work force, and implementing new and innovative procedures for delivering these transportation projects is required to accomplish them on a timely basis that best serves the public. It is the intent of sections 202 and 203 of this act that no state employees will lose their employment as a result of implementing new and innovative project delivery procedures.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 202. A new section is added to chapter 47.28 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The department of transportation shall work with representatives of transportation labor groups to develop a financial incentive program to aid in retention and recruitment of employee classifications where problems exist and program delivery is negatively affected. The department's financial incentive program must be reviewed and approved by the legislature before it can be implemented. Upon receiving approval from the legislature, the department of personnel shall implement, as required, specific aspects of the financial incentive package, as developed by the department of transportation.

(2) Notwithstanding chapter 41.06 RCW, the department of transportation may acquire consultant services from qualified private firms in order to deliver the transportation construction program to the public. Consultant services may be acquired solely for augmenting the department's work force capacity and only when the department's transportation construction program cannot be delivered through its existing or readily available work force. The department of transportation shall work with representatives of transportation labor groups to develop and implement a program identifying those projects requiring contract services while establishing a program as defined in subsection (1) of this section to provide the classified personnel necessary to deliver future construction programs. The procedures for acquiring construction engineering services from private firms may not be used to displace existing state employees nor diminish the number of existing classified positions in the present construction program. The acquisition procedures must be in accordance with chapter 39.80 RCW.

(3) Starting in December 2003, and biennially thereafter, the secretary shall report to the transportation committees of the legislature on the use of construction engineering services from private firms authorized under this section. The information provided to the committees must include an assessment of the benefits and costs associated with using engineering services, or other services, from private firms, and a comparison of public versus private sector costs. The secretary is authorized to act on these findings to ensure the most cost-effective means of service delivery.

Sec. 203. RCW 41.06.380 and 1979 ex.s. c 46 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Nothing contained in this chapter shall prohibit any department, as defined in RCW 41.06.020, from purchasing services by contract with individuals or business entities if such services were regularly purchased by valid contract by such department prior to April 23, 1979: PROVIDED, That no such contract may be executed or renewed if it would have the effect of terminating classified employees or classified employee positions existing at the time of the execution or renewal of the contract.

(2) Nothing contained in this chapter prohibits the department of transportation from purchasing construction engineering services by contract from qualified private businesses as specified in section 202(2) of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 204. Sections 201 through 203 of this act and RCW 41.06.380(2) are null and void if new transportation revenues do not become law by January 1, 2003. Sections 201 through 203 of this act and RCW 41.06.380(2) are effective only for the period consistent with the new transportation revenues, after which time these provisions will expire.

PART III

APPRENTICESHIP AND ADJUSTMENTS TO PREVAILING WAGE PROVISIONS

NEW SECTION. Sec. 301. (1) The legislature finds that a skilled technical work force is necessary for maintaining, preserving, and improving Washington's transportation system. The Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation found that state and local transportation agencies are showing signs of a work force that is insufficiently skilled to operate the transportation system at its highest level. Sections 301 through 308 of this act are intended to explore methods for fostering a stronger industry in transportation planning and engineering.

(2) It is the intent of the legislature that the state prevailing wage process operate efficiently, that the process allow contractors and workers to be paid promptly, and that new technologies and innovative outreach methods be used to enhance wage surveys in order to better reflect current wages in counties across the state.

(3) The legislature finds that in order to enhance the prevailing wage process it is appropriate for all intent and affidavit fees paid by contractors be dedicated to the sole purpose of administering the state prevailing wage program.

(4) To accomplish the intent of this section and in order to enhance the response of businesses and labor representatives to the prevailing wage survey process, the department shall undertake the following activities:

(a) Establish a goal of conducting surveys for each trade every three years;

(b) Actively promote increased response rates from all survey recipients in every county both urban and rural. The department shall provide public education and technical assistance to businesses, labor representatives, and public agencies in order to promote a better understanding of prevailing wage laws and increased participation in the prevailing wage survey process;

(c) Actively work with businesses, labor representatives, public agencies, and others to ensure the integrity of information used in the development of prevailing wage rates, and ensure uniform compliance with requirements of sections 301 through 308 of this act;

(d) Maintain a timely processing of intents and affidavits, with a target processing time no greater than seven working days from receipt of completed forms;

(e) Develop and implement electronic processing of intents and affidavits and promote the efficient and effective use of technology to improve the services provided by the prevailing wage program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 302. A new section is added to chapter 49.04 RCW to read as follows:

The apprenticeship council shall work with the department of transportation, local transportation jurisdictions, local and statewide joint apprenticeships, other apprenticeship programs, representatives of labor and business organizations with interest and expertise in the transportation work force, and representatives of the state's universities and community and vocational colleges to establish technical apprenticeship opportunities specific to the needs of transportation. The council shall issue a report of findings and recommendations to the transportation committees of the legislature by December 1, 2002. The report must include, but not be limited to, findings and recommendations regarding the establishment of transportation technical training programs within the community and vocational college system and in the state universities.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 303. A new section is added to chapter 47.01 RCW to read as follows:

The department of transportation shall work with local transportation jurisdictions and representatives of transportation labor groups to establish a human resources skills bank of transportation professionals. The skills bank must be designed to allow all transportation authorities to draw from it when needed. The department shall issue a report of findings and recommendations to the transportation committees of the legislature by December 1, 2002. The report must include, but not be limited to, identification of any statutory or administrative rule changes necessary to create the skills bank and allow it to function in the manner described.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 304. A new section is added to chapter 47.06 RCW to read as follows:

The state-interest component of the statewide multimodal transportation plan must include a plan for enhancing the skills of the existing technical transportation work force.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 305. The department of labor and industries, in cooperation with the department of transportation, shall conduct an assessment of the current practices, including survey techniques, used in setting prevailing wages for those trades related to transportation facilities and transportation project delivery. The assessment must include an analysis of regional variations. A final report must be submitted to the governor and the transportation committees of the senate and house of representatives by December 1, 2002.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 306. A new section is added to chapter 39.12 RCW to read as follows:

(1) In establishing the prevailing rate of wage under RCW 39.12.010, 39.12.015, and 39.12.020, all data collected by the department may be used only in the county for which the work was performed.

(2) This section only applies to prevailing wage surveys initiated on or after August 1, 2002.

Sec. 307. RCW 39.12.070 and 1993 c 404 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

The department of labor and industries may charge fees to awarding agencies on public works for the approval of statements of intent to pay prevailing wages and the certification of affidavits of wages paid. The department may also charge fees to persons or organizations requesting the arbitration of disputes under RCW 39.12.060. The amount of the fees shall be established by rules adopted by the department under the procedures in the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW. The fees shall apply to all approvals, certifications, and arbitration requests made after the effective date of the rules. All fees shall be deposited in the public works administration account. ((On the fifteenth day of the first month of each quarterly period, an amount equalling thirty percent of the revenues received into the public works administration account shall be transferred into the general fund.)) The department may refuse to arbitrate for contractors, subcontractors, persons, or organizations which have not paid the proper fees. The department may, if necessary, request the attorney general to take legal action to collect delinquent fees.

The department shall set the fees permitted by this section at a level that generates revenue that is as near as practicable to the amount of the appropriation to administer this chapter, including, but not limited to, the performance of adequate wage surveys, and to investigate and enforce all alleged violations of this chapter, including, but not limited to, incorrect statements of intent to pay prevailing wage, incorrect certificates of affidavits of wages paid, and wage claims, as provided for in this chapter and chapters 49.48 and 49.52 RCW. However, the fees charged for the approval of statements of intent to pay prevailing wages and the certification of affidavits of wages paid shall be no greater than twenty-five dollars.

Sec. 308. RCW 39.12.080 and 2001 c 219 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

The public works administration account is created in the state treasury. The department of labor and industries shall deposit in the account all moneys received from fees or civil penalties collected under RCW 39.12.050, 39.12.065, and 39.12.070. Appropriations from the account((~~, not including moneys transferred to the general fund pursuant to RCW 39.12.070,~~)) may be made only for the purposes of administration of this chapter, including, but not limited to, the performance of adequate wage surveys, and for the investigation and enforcement of all alleged violations of this chapter as provided for in this chapter and chapters 49.48 and 49.52 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 309. Sections 301 through 308 and 310 of this act are null and void if new transportation revenues do not become law by January 1, 2003.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 310. The sum of nine hundred fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the public works administration account to the department of labor and industries for the biennium ending June 30, 2003, to carry out the purposes of sections 306 through 308 of this act.

PART IV

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AND EFFICIENCY

Sec. 401. RCW 47.05.010 and 1993 c 490 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

The legislature finds that solutions to state highway deficiencies have become increasingly complex and diverse and that anticipated transportation revenues will fall substantially short of the amount required to satisfy all transportation needs. Difficult investment trade-offs will be required.

It is the intent of the legislature that investment of state transportation funds to address deficiencies on the state highway system be based on a policy of priority programming having as its basis the rational selection of projects and services according to factual need and an evaluation of life cycle costs and benefits ((~~and which~~)) that are systematically scheduled to carry out defined objectives within available revenue. The state must develop analytic tools to use a common methodology to measure benefits and costs for all modes.

The priority programming system ((~~shall~~)) must ensure preservation of the existing state highway system, relieve congestion, provide mobility for people and goods, support the state's economy, and promote environmental protection and energy conservation.

The priority programming system ((~~shall~~)) must implement the state-owned highway component of the statewide ((~~multimodal~~)) transportation plan, consistent with local and regional transportation plans, by targeting state transportation investment to appropriate multimodal solutions ((~~which~~)) that address identified state highway system deficiencies.

The priority programming system for improvements ((~~shall~~)) must incorporate a broad range of solutions that are identified in the statewide ((~~multimodal~~)) transportation plan as appropriate to address state highway system deficiencies, including but not limited to highway expansion, efficiency improvements, nonmotorized transportation facilities, high occupancy vehicle facilities, transit facilities and services, rail facilities and services, and transportation demand management programs.

Sec. 402. RCW 47.05.030 and 1998 c 171 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

The transportation commission shall adopt a comprehensive six-year investment program specifying program objectives and performance measures for the preservation and improvement programs defined in this section. In the specification of investment program objectives and performance measures, the transportation commission, in consultation with the Washington state department of transportation, shall define and adopt standards for effective programming and prioritization practices including a needs analysis process. The ((~~needs~~)) analysis process ((~~shall~~)) must ensure the identification of problems and deficiencies, the evaluation of alternative solutions and trade-offs, and estimations of the costs and benefits of prospective projects. The investment program ((~~shall~~)) must be revised biennially, effective on July 1st of odd-numbered years. The investment program ((~~shall~~)) must be based upon the needs identified in the state-owned highway component of the statewide ((~~multimodal~~)) transportation plan as defined in RCW 47.01.071(3).

(1) The preservation program ((~~shall~~)) consists of those investments necessary to preserve the existing state highway system and to restore existing safety features, giving consideration to lowest life cycle costing. The preservation program must require use of the most cost-effective pavement surfaces, considering:

(a) Life-cycle cost analysis;

(b) Traffic volume;

(d) Environmental and weather conditions;

(e) Materials available; and

(f) Construction factors.

The comprehensive six-year investment program for preservation ((~~shall~~)) must identify projects for two years and an investment plan for the remaining four years.

(2) The improvement program ((~~shall~~)) consists of investments needed to address identified deficiencies on the state highway system to increase mobility, address congestion, and improve ((~~mobility,~~)) safety, support for the economy, and protection of the environment. The six-year investment program for improvements ((~~shall~~)) must identify projects for two years and major deficiencies proposed to be addressed in the six-year period giving consideration to relative benefits and life cycle costing. The transportation commission shall give higher priority for correcting identified deficiencies on those facilities classified as facilities of statewide significance as defined in RCW 47.06.140. Project prioritization must be based primarily upon cost-benefit analysis, where appropriate.

The transportation commission shall approve and present the comprehensive six-year investment program to the legislature in support of the biennial budget request under RCW 44.40.070 and 44.40.080.

Sec. 403. RCW 47.05.035 and 1993 c 490 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The department and the commission shall use the transportation demand modeling tools developed under subsection (2) of this section to evaluate investments based on the best mode or improvement, or mix of modes and improvements, to meet current and future long-term demand within a corridor or system for the lowest cost. The end result of these demand modeling tools is to provide a cost-benefit analysis by which the department and the commission can determine the relative mobility improvement and congestion relief each mode or improvement under consideration will provide and the relative investment each mode or improvement under consideration will need to achieve that relief.

(2) The department will participate in the refinement, enhancement, and application of existing transportation demand modeling tools to be used to evaluate investments. This participation and use of transportation demand modeling tools will be phased in.

(3) In developing program objectives and performance measures, the transportation commission shall evaluate investment trade-offs between the preservation and improvement programs. In making these investment trade-offs, the commission shall evaluate, using cost-benefit techniques, roadway and bridge maintenance activities as compared to roadway and bridge preservation program activities and adjust those programs accordingly.

(4) The commission shall allocate the estimated revenue between preservation and improvement programs giving primary consideration to the following factors:

((~~(1)~~)) (a) The relative needs in each of the programs and the system performance levels that can be achieved by meeting these needs;

((~~(2)~~)) (b) The need to provide adequate funding for preservation to protect the state's investment in its existing highway system;

((~~(3)~~)) (c) The continuity of future transportation development with those improvements previously programmed; and

((~~(4)~~)) (d) The availability of dedicated funds for a specific type of work.

Sec. 404. RCW 47.06.130 and 1993 c 446 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The department may carry out special transportation planning studies to resolve specific issues with the development of the state transportation system or other statewide transportation issues.

(2) The department shall conduct multimodal corridor analyses on major congested corridors where needed improvements are likely to cost in excess of one hundred million dollars. Analysis will include the cost-effectiveness of all feasible strategies in addressing congestion or improving mobility within the corridor, and must recommend the most effective strategy or mix of strategies to address identified deficiencies. A long-term view of corridors must be employed to determine whether an existing corridor should be expanded, a city or county road should become a state route, and whether a new corridor is needed to alleviate congestion and enhance mobility based on travel demand. To the extent practicable, full costs of all strategies must be reflected in the analysis. At a minimum, this analysis must include:

(a) The current and projected future demand for total person trips on that corridor;

(b) The impact of making no improvements to that corridor;

(d) The cost per hour of travel time saved per day for each mode or improvement proposed to meet demand; and

(e) How much of the current and anticipated future demand will be met and left unmet for each mode or improvement proposed to meet demand.

The end result of this analysis will be to provide a cost-benefit analysis by which policymakers can determine the most cost-effective improvement or mode, or mix of improvements and modes, for increasing mobility and reducing congestion.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 405. The legislature intends that funding for transportation mobility improvements be allocated to the worst traffic chokepoints in the state. Furthermore, the legislature intends to fund projects that provide systemic relief throughout a transportation corridor, rather than spot improvements that fail to improve overall mobility within a corridor.

Sec. 406. RCW 47.05.051 and 1998 c 175 s 12 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The comprehensive six-year investment program shall be based upon the needs identified in the state-owned highway component of the statewide multimodal transportation plan as defined in RCW 47.01.071(3) and priority selection systems that incorporate the following criteria:

((~~(1)~~)) (a) Priority programming for the preservation program shall take into account the following, not necessarily in order of importance:

((~~(a)~~)) (i) Extending the service life of the existing highway system, including using the most cost-effective pavement surfaces, considering:

(A) Life-cycle cost analysis;

(B) Traffic volume;

(D) Environmental and weather conditions;

(E) Materials available; and

(F) Construction factors;

((~~(b)~~)) (ii) Ensuring the structural ability to carry loads imposed upon highways and bridges; and

((~~(c)~~)) (iii) Minimizing life cycle costs. The transportation commission in carrying out the provisions of this section may delegate to the department of transportation the authority to select preservation projects to be included in the six-year program.

((~~(2)~~)) (b) Priority programming for the improvement program ((~~shall take into account~~)) must be based primarily upon the following:

((~~(a)~~)) (i) Traffic congestion, delay, and accidents;

(ii) Location within a heavily traveled transportation corridor;

(iii) Synchronization with other potential transportation projects, including transit and multimodal projects, within the heavily traveled corridor; and

(iv) Use of benefit/cost analysis wherever feasible to determine the value of the proposed project.

(i) Support for the state's economy, including job creation and job preservation;

((~~(b)~~)) (ii) The cost-effective movement of people and goods;

((~~(c)~~)) (iii) Accident and accident risk reduction;

((~~(d)~~)) (iv) Protection of the state's natural environment;

((~~(e)~~)) (v) Continuity and systematic development of the highway transportation network;

((~~(f)~~)) (vi) Consistency with local comprehensive plans developed under chapter 36.70A RCW;

((~~(g)~~)) (vii) Consistency with regional transportation plans developed under chapter 47.80 RCW;

((~~(h)~~)) (viii) Public views concerning proposed improvements;

((~~(i)~~)) (ix) The conservation of energy resources;

((~~(j)~~)) (x) Feasibility of financing the full proposed improvement;

((~~(k)~~)) (xi) Commitments established in previous legislative sessions;

((~~(l)~~)) (xii) Relative costs and benefits of candidate programs((;)).

((~~(m)~~)) (d) Major projects addressing capacity deficiencies which prioritize allowing for preliminary engineering shall be reprioritized during the succeeding biennium, based upon updated project data. Reprioritized projects may be delayed or canceled by the transportation commission if higher priority projects are awaiting funding((~~; and~~)).

((~~(n)~~)) (e) Major project approvals which significantly increase a project's scope or cost from original prioritization estimates shall include a review of the project's estimated revised priority rank and the level of funding provided. Projects may be delayed or canceled by the transportation commission if higher priority projects are awaiting funding.

((~~(3)~~)) (2) The commission may depart from the priority programming established under subsection((s)) (1) ((~~and (2)~~)) of this section: (a) To the extent that otherwise funds cannot be utilized feasibly within the program; (b) as may be required by a court judgment, legally binding agreement, or state and federal laws and regulations; (c) as may be required to coordinate with federal, local, or other state agency construction projects; (d) to take advantage of some substantial financial benefit that may be available; (e) for continuity of route development; or (f) because of changed financial or physical conditions of an unforeseen or emergent nature. The commission or secretary of transportation shall maintain in its files information sufficient to show the extent to which the commission has departed from the established priority.

((~~(4)~~)) (3) The commission shall identify those projects that yield freight mobility benefits or that alleviate the impacts of freight mobility upon affected communities.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 407. The department of transportation shall report the results of its priority programming under RCW 47.05.051 to the transportation committees of the senate and house of representatives by December 1, 2003, and December 1, 2005.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 408. The legislature finds that roads, streets, bridges, and highways in the state represent public assets worth over one hundred billion dollars. These investments require regular maintenance and preservation, or rehabilitation, to provide cost-effective transportation services. Many of these facilities are in poor condition. Given the magnitude of public investment and the importance of safe, reliable roadways to the motoring public, the legislature intends to create stronger accountability to ensure that cost-effective maintenance and preservation is provided for these transportation facilities.

Sec. 409. RCW 35.84.060 and 1969 ex.s. c 281 s 26 are each amended to read as follows:

Every municipal corporation which owns or operates an urban public transportation system as defined in RCW 47.04.082 within its corporate limits, may acquire, construct, extend, own, or operate such urban public transportation system to any point or points not to exceed fifteen miles outside of its corporate limits: PROVIDED, That no municipal corporation shall extend its urban public transportation system beyond its corporate limits to operate in any territory already served by a privately operated auto transportation company holding a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the utilities and transportation commission.

As a condition of receiving state funding, the municipal corporation shall submit a maintenance management plan for certification by the transportation commission or its successor entity. The plan must inventory all transportation system assets within the direction and control of the municipality, and provide a preservation plan based on lowest life cycle cost methodologies.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 410. A new section is added to chapter 36.56 RCW to read as follows:

As a condition of receiving state funding, a county that has assumed the transportation functions of a metropolitan municipal corporation shall submit a maintenance and preservation management plan for certification by the transportation commission or its successor entity. The plan must inventory all transportation system assets within the direction and control of the county, and provide a preservation plan based on lowest life cycle cost methodologies.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 411. A new section is added to chapter 36.57A RCW to read as follows:

As a condition of receiving state funding, a public transportation benefit area authority shall submit a maintenance and preservation management plan for certification by the transportation commission or its successor entity. The plan must inventory all transportation system assets within the direction and control of the authority, and provide a preservation plan based on lowest life cycle cost methodologies.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 412. A new section is added to chapter 46.68 RCW to read as follows:

During the 2003-2005 biennium, cities and towns shall provide to the transportation commission, or its successor entity, preservation rating information on at least seventy percent of the total city and town arterial network. Thereafter, the preservation rating information requirement shall increase in five percent increments in subsequent biennia. The rating system used by cities and towns must be based upon the Washington state pavement rating method or an equivalent standard approved by the transportation commission or its successor entity.

Sec. 413. RCW 47.06.050 and 1993 c 446 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

The state-owned facilities component of the statewide transportation plan shall 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. Lowest life cycle cost methodologies must be used in developing a pavement management system. 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 highway maintenance element, establishing service levels for highway maintenance on state-owned highways that meet benchmarks established by the transportation commission. The highway maintenance element must include an estimate of costs for achieving those service levels over twenty years. This element will serve as the basis for the maintenance component of the six-year highway program and the two-year biennial budget request to the legislature;

(c) 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. 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)~~)) (d) 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)~~)) (e) 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 statewide vehicle and passenger needs, support local land use plans, and assure that ferry services are fully integrated with other transportation services. The plan must provide for maintenance of capital assets. The plan must also provide for preservation of capital assets based on lowest life cycle cost methodologies. 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.

Sec. 414. RCW 47.06.090 and 1993 c 446 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:

The state-interest component of the statewide multimodal transportation plan shall include an intercity passenger rail plan, which shall analyze existing intercity passenger rail service and recommend improvements to that service under the state passenger rail service program including depot improvements, potential service extensions, and ways to achieve higher train speeds.

For purposes of maintaining and preserving any state-owned component of the state's passenger rail program, the statewide multimodal transportation plan must identify all such assets and provide a preservation plan based on lowest life cycle cost methodologies.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 415. A new section is added to chapter 81.112 RCW to read as follows:

As a condition of receiving state funding, a regional transit authority shall submit a maintenance and preservation management plan for certification by the transportation commission or its successor entity. The plan must inventory all transportation system assets within the direction and control of the transit authority, and provide a plan for preservation of assets based on lowest life cycle cost methodologies.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 416. A new section is added to chapter 36.78 RCW to read as follows:

The board shall establish a standard of good practice for maintenance of transportation system assets. This standard must be implemented by all counties no later than December 31, 2007. The board shall develop a model maintenance management system for use by counties. The board shall develop rules to assist the counties in the implementation of this system. Counties shall annually submit their maintenance plans to the board. The board shall compile the county data regarding maintenance management and annually submit it to the transportation commission or its successor entity.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 417. Sections 401 through 404 of this act take effect July 1, 2002.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 418. If funding for sections 409, 410, and 412 of this act, referencing those sections by bill or chapter number, is not provided by January 1, 2003, those sections are null and void.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 419. Captions and part headings used in this act are not part of the law.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 420. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.