HB 2124-S - DIGEST


(DIGEST AS ENACTED)


Declares an intent 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.

Requires the secretary to establish an office of transit mobility to ensure the integration of decentralized public transportation services with the state transportation system.

Declares that the primary goals of the office of transit mobility are to facilitate: (1) Connection and coordination of transit services and planning; and

(2) Maximizing opportunities to use public transportation to improve the efficiency of transportation corridors.

Provides that 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.

Provides that the 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.

Requires the department to report annually to the transportation committees of the legislature on the status of any grants projects funded by the program created under this act.

Provides that, 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.

Provides that if Senate Bill No. 6103 is not enacted by June 30, 2005, this act is null and void.