S-2397

AN ACT Relating to commute trip reduction; amending RCW 70.94.521; adding new sections to chapter 70.94 RCW; and providing an effective date.

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

Sec. 1. RCW 70.94.521 and 1997 c 250 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

The legislature finds that automotive traffic in Washington's metropolitan areas is the major source of emissions of air contaminants. This air pollution causes significant harm to public health, causes damage to trees, plants, structures, and materials and degrades the quality of the environment.

Increasing automotive traffic is also aggravating traffic congestion in Washington's metropolitan areas. This traffic congestion imposes significant costs on Washington's businesses, governmental agencies, and individuals in terms of lost working hours and delays in the delivery of goods and services. Traffic congestion worsens automobile-related air pollution, increases the consumption of fuel, and degrades the habitability of many of Washington's cities and suburban areas. The capital and environmental costs of fully accommodating the existing and projected automobile traffic on roads and highways are prohibitive. Decreasing the demand for vehicle trips is significantly less costly and at least as effective in reducing traffic congestion and its impacts as constructing new transportation facilities such as roads and bridges, to accommodate increased traffic volumes.

The legislature also finds that increasing automotive transportation is a major factor in increasing consumption of gasoline and, thereby, increasing reliance on imported sources of petroleum. Moderating the growth in automotive travel is essential to stabilizing and reducing dependence on imported petroleum and improving the nation's energy security.

The legislature further finds that reducing the number of commute trips to work made via single-occupant cars and light trucks is an effective way of reducing automobile-related air pollution, traffic congestion, and energy use. Major employers have significant opportunities to encourage and facilitate reducing single-occupant vehicle commuting by employees. In addition, the legislature also recognizes the importance of increasing individual citizens' awareness of air quality, energy consumption, and traffic congestion, and the contribution individual actions can make towards addressing these issues.

The legislature further finds that telework has been found to reduce commute trips and provide flexibility for work-related travel. Additionally, telework enables employers to allow employees to work outside urban areas, which reduces commute trips while strengthening rural economies. Telework is a key component in a comprehensive transportation demand management package.

The intent of this chapter is to require local governments in those counties experiencing the greatest automobile-related air pollution and traffic congestion to develop and implement plans to reduce single-occupant vehicle commute trips. Such plans shall require major employers and employers at major worksites to implement programs to reduce single-occupant vehicle commuting by employees at major worksites. Local governments in counties experiencing significant but less severe automobile-related air pollution and traffic congestion may implement such plans. State agencies shall implement programs to reduce single-occupant vehicle commuting at all major worksites throughout the state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 70.94 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The commute trip reduction task force must include a telework enhancement committee. The task force shall select the members of the telework enhancement committee. The committee membership may consist of nonmembers and members of the commute trip reduction task force. The committee shall select grants and loans for telework enhancement projects and telework activities, to be approved by the commute trip reduction task force. Funding for the grants and loans must be from the amounts appropriated by the legislature to the commute trip reduction task force for this purpose. The task force shall award grants and loans to telework enhancement projects on a statewide basis. The committee shall not limit grants and loans to projects in cities and counties meeting the requirements of RCW 70.94.527.

(2) The task force shall develop procedures and criteria for allocation of funds for the telework enhancement projects and telework activities on a statewide basis to address the highest priorities for enhancing telework.

(3) In evaluating, ranking, and awarding funds for projects and activities the task force shall give preference to projects that:

(a) Encourage and assist employers to provide telework opportunities for employees;

(b) Provide assistance to employers to locate jobs outside the congested Puget Sound urban areas; or

(4) In evaluating, ranking, and awarding funds for projects and activities the task force shall also give consideration to projects that:

(a) Are the most cost-effective;

(b) Have the greatest matched or in-kind funding; and

(5) The commute trip reduction task force shall determine the effectiveness of this subcommittee as part of its ongoing evaluation of the commute trip reduction law and report to the legislature. The report must be incorporated into the recommendations required in RCW 70.94.537(5).

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 70.94 RCW to read as follows:

The telework enhancement account is created in the state treasury. Such funds as the legislature directs or appropriates to the account will be deposited to the account. Moneys in the account may only be spent after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only for telework enhancement projects.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. This act takes effect October 1, 2001.