BILL REQ. #:  H-1880.1 

Read first time 02/16/09.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to the appointment of an expert review panel for the Alaskan Way viaduct deep bore tunnel project by the transportation commission; and adding a new section to chapter 47.01 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 47.01 RCW to read as follows:
     The legislature recognizes that the finance and project implementation planning processes required for the state route 99 and Alaskan Way viaduct deep bore tunnel project cannot guarantee appropriate decisions unless key study assumptions are reasonable with respect to the project. For the purposes of this section, the Alaskan Way viaduct deep bore tunnel project, or tunnel project, means all components of the project including, but not limited to, utilities relocation, central seawall repair and replacement, transit enhancements, and surface street improvements. To assure appropriate finance plan and project implementation plan assumptions, an expert review panel shall be appointed to provide independent financial and technical review for development of a finance plan and project implementation plan for the project described in this section.
     (1) The expert review panel shall consist of five to ten members who are recognized experts in relevant fields, such as planning, engineering, finance, law, the environment, emerging transportation technologies, geography, geology, and economics.
     (2) The expert review panel shall be selected by the transportation commission.
     (3) The chair of the expert review panel shall be designated by the chair of the transportation commission.
     (4) The expert review panel shall, with respect to completion of the tunnel project:
     (a) Review the financing plan for the project to ensure that it clearly identifies secured and anticipated funding sources and is feasible and sufficient;
     (b) Review the project implementation plan covering all state and local permitting and mitigation approvals that ensure the most expeditious and cost-effective delivery of the project; and
     (c) Report its findings and recommendations on the items described in (a) and (b) of this subsection to the joint transportation committee, the transportation commission, the office of financial management, and the governor by September 1, 2009.
     (5) Upon receipt of the expert review panel's findings and recommendations under subsection (4)(c) of this section, the governor must make a finding of whether the finance plan is feasible and sufficient to complete the project.
     (6) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to delay construction of any of the projects referenced in this section.