BILL REQ. #:  H-2695.1 

Read first time 03/18/09.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to ferry system accountability; adding a new section to chapter 47.60 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 47.60 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) A ferry partnership advisory committee must be created by September 1, 2009, to recommend annually ferry fare schedules to the commission. The executive committee of the Washington state ferry users shall make recommendations for appointments to the committee. The commission shall appoint nine members to the committee, all of whom must be permanent residents of ferry-served communities. Members of the committee shall serve without receiving compensation.
     (2) Appointments to the ferry partnership advisory committee must include:
     (a) Two ferry riders;
     (b) Two representatives of local governments;
     (c) Two representatives of commercial users;
     (d) Two ferry system employees who work aboard the ferries; and
     (e) One representative of the United States navy.
     (3) Members of the ferry partnership advisory committee shall serve three-year terms; however, the initial terms of members may be shorter to stagger the expiration of terms.
     (4) The ferry partnership advisory committee shall serve in an advisory capacity to the commission on all matters related to the development of ferry fares including, but not limited to: (a) Pricing and service strategies; (b) the cost-effectiveness of ferry system operations as it affects fare schedules; and (c) fare and service innovations that may help control system costs and fares.
     (5) Meetings of the ferry partnership advisory committee must be public and must be timed to allow for ample public input into the ferry fare setting cycle.
     (6) Staff support, to include the provision of data and analysis of ferry system fares, usage, and costs, must be provided to the ferry partnership advisory committee by the department in conjunction with the commission.
     (7) In setting ferry fares, the commission shall consider recommendations of the ferry partnership advisory committee.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   This act may be known and cited as the Washington ferry system accountability act.