BILL REQ. #:  S-1015.1 

Read first time 01/29/09.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to a transportation funding study by the joint transportation committee; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The 2007 joint transportation committee study on long-term transportation financing, the national surface transportation infrastructure financing commission study, and other studies have concluded that existing sources of state and national long-term transportation funding are not sustainable. The studies recommend the enhanced use of tolling and other financial methods to serve as interim transitions leading to conversion to a mileage-based user fee.
     (2) Transitioning to alternative transportation funding methods will be institutionally challenging. Further research and analysis of identifying and implementing alternative funding methods are needed to assist the legislature in developing mid-term and long-term transportation funding policy.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the joint transportation committee shall conduct a comprehensive research effort analyzing the feasibility and practicality of implementing mid-term and long-term funding methodologies identified in the 2007 long-term transportation financing study, as well as other approaches identified by the committee. The research and analysis must take into account existing and emerging policy objectives regarding funding, energy, environment, and mobility. The committee shall coordinate with the departments of transportation, licensing, ecology, and community, trade, and economic development to support the research and analysis as deemed necessary by the committee.
     (2) The research must:
     (a) Utilize existing state and national research to analyze relevant baseline data and trends. The data analysis must identify those characteristics of transportation and finance that influence alternative funding methods. The research must update and conduct original data analysis where existing research data is not adequate. The analysis must include, but is not limited to:
     (i) Update data and financial forecasts relative to: Energy price and availability volatility; energy trends; vehicle characteristics and pool trends; usage; and environmental initiatives; and
     (ii) Use characteristics and trends of: State and local transportation systems; rural and urban transportation systems; and mode.
     (b) Use existing state and national research to assess funding methods with regard to implementation feasibility, practicality, and sustainability. The research must update and conduct original data analysis where existing research data is not adequate. The analysis of funding methods must include, but is not limited to:
     (i) Relationship to funding, energy, environment, and mobility policy objectives;
     (ii) Relationship to users and general population;
     (iii) Simplicity and transparency;
     (iv) Sustainability, revenue adequacy, and administration costs;
     (v) Institutional requirements and governmental roles;
     (vi) Technology; and
     (vii) Privacy and equity.
     (3) Performance and evaluation criteria must be developed to analyze alternative funding strategies. The criteria must take into account existing and emerging policy objectives regarding funding, energy, environment, and mobility.
     (4) The committee shall develop planning level strategic funding alternatives strategies. The strategies must:
     (a) Be developed to a planning level that allows for comparative analysis of alternatives based on the performance and evaluation criteria;
     (b) Provide incremental options; and
     (c) Include a scaled testing approach.
     (5)(a) The research and analysis is intended to be an iterative process based on direction from the committee. The intent is to provide a series of research and analysis over the biennium to inform the discussion and help facilitate the development and possible implementations of alternative transportation funding methods.
     (b) The activities and schedule of the research and analysis must be managed by the committee, which must set and approve the scope and schedule of the project.
     (6) Baseline data and methods assessment must be completed by December 31, 2009.
     (7) Performance criteria must be developed by June 30, 2010.
     (8) Planning level strategic funding alternatives strategies must be completed by December 31, 2010.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   This act expires June 30, 2011.