BILL REQ. #:  S-3236.1 

Read first time 06/04/2003.   Referred to Committee on Highways & Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to redirecting cost savings from the completion of highway construction projects to other highway construction projects; and amending 2003 c 360 s 305 (uncodified).

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

Sec. 1   2003 c 360 s 305 (uncodified) is amended to read as follows:
     FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION--IMPROVEMENTS--PROGRAM I
Transportation 2003 Account (Nickel Account)--State
     Appropriation . . . . . . . . . . . . $565,300,000
Transportation 2003 Account (Nickel Account)--Federal
     Appropriation . . . . . . . . . . . . $950,000
Transportation 2003 Account (Nickel Account)--Local
     Appropriation . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,434,000
Motor Vehicle Account--State Appropriation . . . . . . . . . . . . $157,374,000
Motor Vehicle Account -- Federal Appropriation . . . . . . . . . . . . $192,940,000
Motor Vehicle Account -- Local Appropriation . . . . . . . . . . . . $13,258,000
Special Category C Account--State Appropriation . . . . . . . . . . . . $50,279,000
Tacoma Narrows Toll Bridge Account Appropriation . . . . . . . . . . . . $613,300,000
          TOTAL APPROPRIATION . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,596,835,000

     The appropriations in this section are subject to the following conditions and limitations:
     (1) $157,374,000 of the motor vehicle account--state appropriation, $192,940,000 of the motor vehicle account--federal appropriation, $13,258,000 of the motor vehicle account--local appropriation, and $50,279,000 of the special category C account--state appropriation are provided solely to implement the activities and projects included in the Legislative 2003 Transportation Project List - Current Law report as transmitted to LEAP on April 27, 2003.
     (2) The motor vehicle account--state appropriation includes $78,000,000 in proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by RCW 47.10.843. The transportation commission may authorize the use of current revenues available to the department of transportation in lieu of bond proceeds for any part of the state appropriation. The motor vehicle account--state appropriation includes $18,038,000 in unexpended proceeds from bond sales authorized in RCW 47.10.843 for mobility and economic initiative improvement projects.
     (3) The Tacoma Narrows toll bridge account--state appropriation includes $567,000,000 in proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by RCW 47.10.843. The Tacoma Narrows toll bridge account--state appropriation includes $46,300,000 in unexpended proceeds from the January 2003 bond sale authorized in RCW 47.10.843 for the Tacoma Narrows bridge project.
     (4) The special category C account--state appropriation includes $44,000,000 in proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by RCW 47.10.812. The transportation commission may authorize the use of current revenues available in the special category C account in lieu of bond proceeds for any part of the state appropriation.
     (5) The entire transportation 2003 account (nickel account) appropriation is provided solely for the projects and activities as indicated in the Legislative 2003 Transportation Project List - New Law report transmitted to LEAP on April 27, 2003. Any unexpended funds available after completion of a highway construction project may be redirected by the legislature in the 2004 transportation budget. However, the legislature shall maintain the regional allocation of funds pursuant to the original project list and shall consider the recommendations of the regional transportation planning organization where the savings are realized.
     (6) The motor vehicle account--state appropriation includes $280,000,000 in proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by Senate Bill No. 6062. The transportation commission may authorize the use of current revenues available to the department of transportation in lieu of bond proceeds for any part of the state appropriation.
     (7) $11,000,000 of the motor vehicle account--state appropriation is provided solely for the environmental impact statement on the SR 520 Evergreen floating bridge.
     (8) $250,000 of the transportation 2003 account (Nickel Account)--state appropriation and an equal amount from the city of Seattle are provided solely for an analysis of the impacts that an expansion of the SR 520 Evergreen floating bridge will have on the streets of North Capitol Hill, Roanoke Park, and Montlake. An advisory committee with two members each from Portage Bay/Roanoke Park Community Council, Montlake Community Council, and the North Capitol Hill community organization along with the secretary of transportation is established. The seven-member committee shall hire and oversee the contract with a transportation consulting organization to: (a) Perform an analysis of such impacts; and (b) design a traffic and circulation plan that mitigates the adverse consequences of such impacts. If the city of Seattle does not agree to provide $250,000 by January 1, 2004, the amount provided in this subsection shall lapse.
     (9)(a) $500,000 of the motor vehicle account--state appropriation is provided solely for a study to provide the legislature with information regarding the feasibility of pursuing a Washington commerce corridor. The department shall retain outside experts to conduct the study. The study must include the following conditions:
     (i) The Washington commerce corridor must be a north-south corridor starting in the vicinity of Lewis county and extending northerly to the vicinity of the Canadian border. The corridor must be situated east of state route number 405 and west of the Cascades. The corridor may include any of the following features:
     (A) Ability to carry long-haul freight;
     (B) Ability to provide for passenger auto travel;
     (C) Freight rail;
     (D) Passenger rail;
     (E) Public utilities; and
     (F) Other ancillary facilities as may be desired to maximize use of the corridor;
     (ii) The Washington commerce corridor must be developed, financed, designed, constructed, and operated by private sector consortiums; and
     (iii) The Washington commerce corridor must be subject to a joint permitting process involving federal, state, and local agencies with jurisdiction.
     (b) The legislative transportation committee shall form a working group to work with the department and the outside consultant on the study.
     (10) $8,000,000 of the motor vehicle account--state appropriation is provided for the SR 522, University of Washington-Bothell campus access project. This amount will cover approximately one-half of the construction costs.
     (11) The transportation permit efficiency and accountability committee (TPEAC) shall select from the project list under this subsection ten projects that have not yet secured state permits. TPEAC shall select projects from both urban and rural areas representing a wide variety of locations within the state. These projects shall be designated "Department of Transportation Permit Drafting Pilot Projects" and shall become a part of the work plan of TPEAC required under section 2(1)(b), chapter 8 (ESB 5279), Laws of 2003.
     (12) Of the amounts appropriated in this section and section 306 of this act, no more than $124,000 is provided for increased project costs due to the enactment of Substitute Senate Bill No. 5457.
     (((14))) (13) To manage some projects more efficiently, federal funds may be transferred from program Z to program I to replace those federal funds in a dollar-for-dollar match. However, funds may not be transferred between federal programs. Fund transfers authorized under this subsection shall not affect project prioritization status. Appropriations shall initially be allotted as appropriated in this act. The department shall not transfer funds as authorized under this subsection without approval of the transportation commission and the director of financial management. The department shall submit a report on those projects receiving fund transfers to the transportation committees of the senate and house of representatives by December 1, 2004.