BILL REQ. #:  H-4015.1 

Read first time 02/07/14.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to managing the development and operation of passenger rail service within the Cascade rail corridor; and adding a new section to chapter 47.04 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 47.04 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The department may enter into agreements with the Oregon state department of transportation and the British Columbia ministry of transportation and infrastructure to:
     (a) Develop a plan to document the shared vision, goals, and objectives for passenger rail service within the Cascade rail corridor;
     (b) Develop a plan to achieve performance goals, manage fleet assets, share costs, prioritize investments, and resolve interagency disputes;
     (c) Propose funding options to the respective legislative bodies to support the operation of passenger trains within the Cascade rail corridor;
     (d) Develop a stakeholder outreach program;
     (e) Oversee operations and marketing of daily passenger rail service in the Cascade rail corridor;
     (f) Seek federal funding opportunities;
     (g) Implement efficiency improvements for passenger rail service in the Cascade rail corridor; and
     (h) Manage costs and identify opportunities for cost reduction and develop priorities that will generate the best value for Washington state.
     (2) The department may enter into agreements with the Oregon state department of transportation to coordinate state rail plans. The department must report to the transportation committees of the legislature regarding:
     (a) The status of agreements with the Oregon state department of transportation and the British Columbia ministry of transportation and infrastructure regarding the Cascade rail corridor;
     (b) The performance of passenger rail service in the Cascade rail corridor; and
     (c) The status of accomplishing the goals set out in subsection (1)(a) through (f) of this section.
     (3) For the purposes of this section, "Cascade rail corridor" means the rail lines that lie west of the crest of the Cascade mountain range and may support passenger rail service.