BILL REQ. #:  S-1924.1 

Read first time 02/23/09.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to commute trip reduction for state agencies; and amending RCW 70.94.541, 70.94.547, and 70.94.551.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 70.94.541 and 2006 c 329 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The department of transportation shall provide staff support to the commute trip reduction board in carrying out the requirements of RCW 70.94.537.
     (2) The department of transportation shall provide technical assistance to regional transportation planning organizations, counties, cities, ((and)) towns, ((the department of general administration, other)) state agencies, and other employers in developing and implementing commute trip reduction plans and programs. The technical assistance shall include: (a) Guidance in single measurement methodology and practice to be used in determining progress in attaining plan goals; (b) developing model plans and programs appropriate to different situations; and (c) providing consistent training and informational materials for the implementation of commute trip reduction programs. Model plans and programs, training, and informational materials shall be developed in cooperation with representatives of regional transportation planning organizations, local governments, transit agencies, and employers.
     (3) In carrying out this section the department of transportation may contract with statewide associations representing cities, towns, and counties to assist cities, towns, and counties in implementing commute trip reduction plans and programs.

Sec. 2   RCW 70.94.547 and 2006 c 329 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:
     The legislature hereby recognizes the state's crucial leadership role in establishing and implementing effective commute trip reduction programs. Therefore, it is the policy of the state that the department of ((general administration)) transportation and other state agencies, including institutions of higher education, shall aggressively develop substantive programs to reduce commute trips by state employees. Implementation of these programs will reduce energy consumption, congestion in urban areas, and air and water pollution associated with automobile travel.

Sec. 3   RCW 70.94.551 and 2006 c 329 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The ((director)) secretary of the department of ((general administration)) transportation may coordinate an interagency board for the purpose of developing policies or guidelines that promote consistency among state agency commute trip reduction programs required by RCW 70.94.527 and 70.94.531. The board shall include representatives of the departments of transportation, ecology, and community, trade, and economic development and such other departments and interested groups as the ((director)) secretary of the department of ((general administration)) transportation determines to be necessary. Policies and guidelines shall be applicable to all state agencies including but not limited to policies and guidelines regarding parking and parking charges, employee incentives for commuting by other than single-occupant automobiles, flexible and alternative work schedules, alternative worksites, and the use of state-owned vehicles for car and van pools and guaranteed rides home. The policies and guidelines shall also consider the costs and benefits to state agencies of achieving commute trip reductions and consider mechanisms for funding state agency commute trip reduction programs.
     (2) State agencies sharing a common location in affected urban growth areas where the total number of state employees is one hundred or more shall, with assistance from the department of ((general administration)) transportation, develop and implement a joint commute trip reduction program, except that state agencies located in the Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater urban growth areas must develop and implement one joint commute trip reduction program for all of the agencies located in the three urban growth areas. The worksite shall be treated as specified in RCW 70.94.531 and 70.94.534.
     (3) The department of ((general administration)) transportation shall review the initial commute trip reduction program of each state agency subject to the commute trip reduction plan for state agencies to determine if the program is likely to meet the applicable commute trip reduction goals and notify the agency of any deficiencies. If it is found that the program is not likely to meet the applicable commute trip reduction goals, the department of ((general administration)) transportation will work with the agency to modify the program as necessary.
     (4) Each state agency implementing a commute trip reduction plan shall report at least once per year to its agency director on the performance of the agency's commute trip reduction program as part of the agency's quality management, accountability, and performance system as defined by RCW 43.17.385. The reports shall assess the performance of the program, progress toward state goals established under RCW 70.94.537, and recommendations for improving the program.
     (5) The department of ((general administration)) transportation shall review the agency performance reports defined in subsection (4) of this section and submit a biennial report for state agencies subject to this chapter to the governor and incorporate the report in the commute trip reduction board report to the legislature as directed in RCW 70.94.537(6). The report shall include, but is not limited to, an evaluation of the most recent measurement results, progress toward state goals established under RCW 70.94.537, and recommendations for improving the performance of state agency commute trip reduction programs. The information shall be reported in a form established by the commute trip reduction board.