"NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   LEGISLATIVE INTENT. The legislature finds that increased demands on transportation resources require increased efficiency and effectiveness in decision making within urbanized regions. Legislative enactments, public votes on local and state initiatives and referenda, and the number of agencies involved in transportation planning and delivery of services has significantly added to the complexity of transportation programs.
     The legislature further finds that coordinated planning, investment in, and operation of transportation systems by the state and local governments can help ensure an efficient, effective transportation system that addresses community needs. Such coordination can also enhance local and state objectives for effective regional transportation strategies and effective coordination between land use and transportation.
     The legislature finds that addressing this need for better accountability and coordination requires a comprehensive regional examination of alternative methods for consolidating and coordinating transportation efforts, and improving accountability. This examination is best accomplished by an independent body of experts in governmental organization and transportation issues. It further finds that the results of this process will guide the legislature and the public in shaping changes to ensure public confidence in public institutions and tax expenditures.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION. (1) The governor shall appoint a regional transportation governance commission of fifteen voting members. Each major party caucus of the legislature shall submit four names to the governor for possible appointment, and the governor must appoint two members from each caucus' list. The county executives of King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties shall each submit a list of two names to the governor for possible appointment, and the governor must appoint one member from each county executive's list. The four remaining commission members will be appointed at the governor's discretion, except that one of those members will be the chair of the commission, and one must be knowledgeable in the interests of Kitsap county. In addition, the secretary of transportation or the secretary's designee shall serve as a nonvoting member. Appointees must be citizen members who do not hold public office. Appointees must include experts from the private and public sectors, including academia, with demonstrated expertise in innovation, structural reorganization, and public or private agency decision making and must also include experts in fields such as municipal law, public administration, intergovernmental relationships, and transportation planning, construction, operations, and risk management.
     (2) The commission shall evaluate transportation governance in the central Puget Sound area. This evaluation must include an assessment of the current roles of regional transportation agencies including regional transportation and metropolitan planning organizations, the regional transit authority, regional transportation improvement authorities, county and municipal agencies operating transit services, and cities and counties and other public agencies providing transportation services or facilities. The commission shall assess and develop recommendations for what steps should be taken to:
     (a) Consolidate governance among agencies including changes in institutional powers, structures, and relationships and governance needed to improve accountability for transportation decisions, while enhancing the regional focus for transportation decisions and maintaining equity among citizens in the region;
     (b) Improve coordination in the planning of transportation investments and services;
     (c) Improve investment strategies;
     (d) Coordinate transportation planning and investments with adopted land use policies within the region;
     (e) Enhance efficiency and coordination in the delivery of services provided;
     (f) Adjust boundaries for agencies or functions within the region to address existing and future transportation and land use issues; and
     (g) Improve coordination between regional investments and federal funds, and state funding including those administered by the transportation improvement board, the county road administration board, and the freight mobility strategic investment board.
     (3) Each voting member of the commission will be reimbursed for actual necessary traveling and other expenses in going to, attending, and returning from meetings of the commission or that are incurred in the discharge of duties requested by the chair in the same manner as RCW 43.03.220.
     (4) The commission shall make public its preliminary findings and recommendations by May 1, 2006, and shall provide at least fifteen days for public comment. The commission shall then adopt its findings and recommendations and submit them to the legislature by December 1, 2006.
     (5) The commission shall conduct public meetings to assure active public participation in the development of the recommendations.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   COMMISSION STAFF SUPPORT. The department of transportation shall provide staff support to the commission and, upon request of the commission, contract with other parties for staff support to the commission.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter ... (ESSB 6091), Laws of 2005 to read as follows:
     $400,000 of the appropriation contained in section 223(2) of the omnibus transportation act (ESSB 6091) is to be used for conducting the study set forth in sections 1 through 3 of this act, and the remaining $4,500,000 is to fund the costs incurred by the regional transportation investment district to prepare a regional investment plan, including a funding proposal, for the November 2006 general election. The investment district must present the plan to the house and senate transportation committees by January 15, 2006. None of this appropriation may be used for election costs.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   Section 4 of this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately."