BILL REQ. #:  S-3795.1 

Read first time 11/29/2007.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to state transportation system policy goals; and amending RCW 47.04.280.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 47.04.280 and 2007 c 516 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) It is the intent of the legislature to establish policy goals for the ((planning,)) operation, performance of, and investment in, the state's transportation system. The policy goals ((established under this section are deemed consistent with the)) shall consist of, but not be limited to, the following benchmark categories adopted by the state's blue ribbon commission on transportation on November 30, 2000. In addition to improving safety, public investments in transportation should support achievement of these ((policy)) and other priority goals:
     (((a) Preservation: To maintain, preserve, and extend the life and utility of prior investments in transportation systems and services;
     (b) Safety: To provide for and improve the safety and security of transportation customers and the transportation system;
     (c) Mobility: To improve the predictable movement of goods and people throughout Washington state;
     (d) Environment: To enhance Washington's quality of life through transportation investments that promote energy conservation, enhance healthy communities, and protect the environment; and
     (e) Stewardship: To continuously improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of the transportation system.
     (2) The powers, duties, and functions of state transportation agencies must be performed in a manner consistent with the policy goals set forth in subsection (1) of this section.
     (3))) No interstate highways, state routes, and local arterials shall be in poor condition; no bridges shall be structurally deficient, and safety retrofits shall be performed on those state bridges at the highest seismic risk levels; traffic congestion on urban state highways shall be significantly reduced and no worse than the national mean; delay per driver shall be significantly reduced and no worse than the national mean; per capita vehicle miles traveled shall be maintained at 2000 levels; the nonauto share of commuter trips shall be increased in urban areas; administrative costs as a percentage of transportation spending shall achieve the most efficient quartile nationally; and the state's public transit agencies shall achieve the median cost per vehicle revenue hour of peer transit agencies, adjusting for the regional cost-of-living.
     (2) These policy goals ((are intended to)) shall be the basis for ((establishing)) establishment of detailed and measurable ((objectives and related)) performance ((measures)) benchmarks.
     (((4))) (3) It is the intent of the legislature that the ((office of financial management)) transportation commission establish ((objectives and)) performance measures ((for the department of transportation and other state agencies with transportation-related responsibilities)) to ensure transportation system performance at local, regional, and state government levels ((progresses toward the attainment of the policy goals set forth in subsection (1) of this section. The office of financial management shall submit initial objectives and performance measures to the legislature for its review and shall provide copies of the same to the commission during the 2008 legislative session. The office of financial management shall submit objectives and performance measures to the legislature for its review and shall provide copies of the same to the commission during each regular session of the legislature during an even-numbered year thereafter.
     (5) This section does not create a private right of action)), and the transportation commission should work with the appropriate government entities to accomplish this.