BILL REQ. #:  Z-0083.3 

Read first time 01/23/2003.   Referred to Committee on Highways & Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to apportionment of the cost of installing and maintaining signals or warning devices at railroad-highway grade crossings; amending RCW 81.53.271 and 81.53.281; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that grade crossing, rail trespass, and other safety issues continue to present a public safety problem.
     The legislature further finds that with the increased importance of rail to freight and commuter mobility, there is a direct public benefit in assisting local communities and railroads to work together to address rail-related public safety concerns.

Sec. 2   RCW 81.53.271 and 1982 c 94 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     The petition shall set forth by description the location of the crossing or crossings, the type of signal or other warning device to be installed, the necessity from the standpoint of public safety for such installation, the approximate cost of installation and related work, and the approximate annual cost of maintenance. If the commission directs the installation of a grade crossing protective device, and a federal-aid funding program is available to participate in the costs of such installation, ((both)) installation and maintenance costs of the device shall be apportioned in accordance with the provisions of RCW 81.53.295. Otherwise if installation is directed by the commission, it shall apportion the cost of installation and maintenance as provided in this section:
     (1) Installation: (((1))) (a) The first twenty thousand dollars shall be apportioned to the grade crossing protective fund created by RCW 81.53.281; and
     (b) The remainder of the cost shall be apportioned as follows:
     (i) Sixty percent to the grade crossing protective fund, created by RCW 81.53.281;
     (((2))) (ii) Thirty percent to the city, town, county, or state; and
     (((3))) (iii) Ten percent to the railroad:
     PROVIDED, That, if the proposed installation is located at a new crossing requested by a city, town, county, or state, forty percent of the cost shall be apportioned to the city, town, county, or state, and none to the railroad. If the proposed installation is located at a new crossing requested by a railroad, then the entire cost shall be apportioned to the railroad. In the event the city, town, county, or state should concurrently petition the commission and secure an order authorizing the closure of an existing crossing or crossings in proximity to the crossing for which installation of signals or other warning devices shall have been directed, the apportionment to the petitioning city, town, county, or state shall be reduced by ten percent of the total cost for each crossing ordered closed and the apportionment from the grade crossing protective fund increased accordingly. This exception shall not be construed to permit a charge to the grade crossing protective fund in an amount greater than the total cost otherwise apportionable to the city, town, county, or state. No reduction shall be applied where one crossing is closed and another opened in lieu thereof, nor to crossings of a private nature.
     (2) Maintenance: (((1))) (a) Twenty-five percent to the grade crossing protective fund, created by RCW 81.53.281; and
     (((2))) (b) Seventy-five percent to the railroad:
     PROVIDED, That if the proposed installation is located at a new crossing requested by a railroad, then the entire cost shall be apportioned to the railroad.

Sec. 3   RCW 81.53.281 and 1998 c 245 s 166 are each amended to read as follows:
     There is hereby created in the state treasury a "grade crossing protective fund((,))" to ((which shall be transferred all moneys appropriated for the purpose of carrying)) carry out the provisions of RCW 81.53.261, 81.53.271, 81.53.281, 81.53.291, and 81.53.295; for grants and/or subsidies to public, private, and nonprofit entities for rail safety projects authorized or ordered by the commission; and for personnel and associated costs related to supervising and administering rail safety grants and/or subsidies. The commission shall transfer from the public service revolving fund's miscellaneous fees and penalties accounts moneys appropriated for these purposes as needed. At the time the commission makes each allocation of cost to said grade crossing protective fund, it shall certify that such cost shall be payable out of said fund. ((When federal-aid highway funds are not involved, the railroad shall, upon completion of the installation of any such signal or other protective device and related work, present its claim for reimbursement for the cost of installation and related work from said fund of the amount allocated thereto by the commission. The annual cost of maintenance shall be presented and paid in a like manner.)) When federal-aid highway funds are involved, the department of transportation shall, upon entry of an order by the commission requiring the installation or upgrading of a grade crossing protective device, submit to the commission an estimate for the cost of the proposed installation and related work. Upon receipt of the estimate the commission shall pay to the department of transportation the percentage of the estimate specified in RCW 81.53.295, as now or hereafter amended, to be used as the grade crossing protective fund portion of the cost of the installation and related work. ((The commission is hereby authorized to recover administrative costs from said fund in an amount not to exceed three percent of the direct appropriation provided for any biennium, and in the event administrative costs exceed three percent of the appropriation, the excess shall be chargeable to regulatory fees paid by railroads pursuant to RCW 81.24.010.
     The office of financial management shall direct the state treasurer to transfer to the motor vehicle fund an amount not to exceed $1,331,000 from the grade crossing protective fund for the 1987-89 fiscal biennium.))
     The commission may adopt rules for the allocation of money from the grade crossing protective fund.