READ FIRST TIME 03/07/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to increasing state participation in public transportation service and planning; amending RCW 47.66.030 and 47.66.040; adding new sections to chapter 47.01 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 47.66 RCW; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that the state needs to reestablish itself as a leader in public transportation.
     The legislature also finds that increased demands on transportation resources require increased coordination among public transportation service providers.
     The legislature also finds that the efficiency of transportation corridors would be enhanced by a more proactive and integrated approach to public transportation service delivery and planning.
     The legislature also finds that the state department of transportation is in the unique position of being able to improve connectivity between service territories of transit agencies and modes of transportation.
     The legislature also finds that the state should be a center of excellence in public transportation planning and research and providing technical assistance to transit agencies serving urban, suburban, and rural areas.
     Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature that the state department of transportation be a leader in public transportation. The department shall play a guiding role in coordinating decentralized public transportation services, increasing connectivity between them, advocating for public transportation as a means to increase corridor efficiency, and increasing the integration of public transportation and the highway system.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 47.01 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The secretary shall establish an office of transit mobility. The purpose of the office is to facilitate the integration of decentralized public transportation services with the state transportation system. The goals of the office of transit mobility are: (a) To facilitate connection and coordination of transit services and planning; and (b) maximizing opportunities to use public transportation to improve the efficiency of transportation corridors.
     (2) The duties of the office include, but are not limited to, the following:
     (a) Developing a statewide strategic plan that creates common goals for transit agencies and reduces competing plans for cross-jurisdictional service;
     (b) Developing a park and ride lot program;
     (c) Encouraging long-range transit planning;
     (d) Providing public transportation expertise to improve linkages between regional transportation planning organizations and transit agencies;
     (e) Strengthening policies for inclusion of transit and transportation demand management strategies in route development, corridor plan standards, and budget proposals;
     (f) Recommending best practices to integrate transit and demand management strategies with regional and local land use plans in order to reduce traffic and improve mobility and access;
     (g) Producing recommendations for the public transportation section of the Washington transportation plan; and
     (h) Participating in all aspects of corridor planning, including freight planning, ferry system planning, and passenger rail planning.
     (3) In forming the office, the secretary shall use existing resources to the greatest extent possible.
     (4) The office of transit mobility shall establish measurable performance objectives for evaluating the success of its initiatives and progress toward accomplishing the overall goals of the office.
     (5) The office of transit mobility must report quarterly to the secretary, and annually to the transportation committees of the legislature, on the progress of the office in meeting the goals and duties provided in this section.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 47.01 RCW to read as follows:
     Local and regional transportation agencies shall adopt common transportation goals. The office of transit mobility shall review local and regional transportation plans, including plans required under RCW 35.58.2795, 36.70A.070(6), 36.70A.210, and 47.80.023, to provide for the efficient integration of multimodal and multijurisdictional transportation planning.

Sec. 4   RCW 47.66.030 and 1996 c 49 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1)(((a))) The ((transportation improvement board is authorized and responsible for the final selection of programs and projects funded from the central Puget Sound public transportation account; public transportation systems account; and the intermodal surface transportation and efficiency act of 1991, surface transportation program, statewide competitive)) department shall establish a regional mobility grant program. The purpose of the grant program is to aid local governments in funding projects such as intercounty connectivity service, park and ride lots, rush hour transit service, and capital projects that improve the connectivity and efficiency of our transportation system. The department shall identify cost-effective projects that reduce delay for people and goods and improve connectivity between counties and regional population centers. The department shall submit a prioritized list of all projects requesting funding to the legislature by December 1st of each year.
     (((b))) (2) The ((board)) department may establish ((subcommittees as well as technical)) an advisory committee((s)) to carry out the mandates of this chapter.
     (((2) Expenses of the board, including administrative expenses for managing the program, shall be paid in accordance with RCW 47.26.140.))
     (3) The department must report annually to the transportation committees of the legislature on the status of any grants projects funded by the program created under this section.

Sec. 5   RCW 47.66.040 and 1995 c 269 s 2606 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The ((transportation improvement board)) department shall select ((programs and)) projects based on a competitive process ((consistent with the mandates governing each account or source of funds)). The competition shall be consistent with the following criteria:
     (a) Local, regional, and state transportation plans;
     (b) Local transit development plans; and
     (c) Local comprehensive land use plans.
     (2) The following criteria shall be considered by the ((board)) department in selecting programs and projects:
     (a) Objectives of the growth management act, the high capacity transportation act, the commute trip reduction act, transportation demand management programs, federal and state air quality requirements, and federal Americans with Disabilities Act and related state accessibility requirements; and
     (b) Enhancing the efficiency of regional corridors in moving people among jurisdictions and modes of transportation, energy efficiency issues, reducing delay for people and goods, freight and goods movement as related to economic development, regional significance, rural isolation, the leveraging of other funds ((including funds administered by this board)), and safety and security issues.
     (3) The ((board)) department shall determine the appropriate level of local match required for each ((program and)) project based on the source of funds.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   A new section is added to chapter 47.66 RCW to read as follows:
     Beginning in 2005, and every other year thereafter, the department shall examine the division's existing grant programs, and the methods used to allocate grant funds, to determine the program's effectiveness, and whether the methods used to allocate funds result in an equitable distribution of the grants. The department shall submit a report of the findings to the transportation committees of the legislature.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   If Senate Bill No. 6103 is not enacted by June 30, 2005, this act is null and void.