FINAL BILL REPORT

2ESSB 5996

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

PARTIAL VETO

C 17 L 15 E 3

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning Washington state department of transportation projects.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators King, Hobbs, Fain, Liias, Litzow, Braun, Schoesler, Parlette, Dammeier, Warnick, Sheldon, O'Ban, Hewitt, Becker and Brown).

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committee on Transportation

Background: The development of environmental impact statements at the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) requires working with a variety of stakeholders and permitting agencies. There is no broad, formalized process for WSDOT to follow in statute that ensures an efficient process that involves the participation of stakeholders along with various permitting agencies.

WSDOT's website tracks construction change orders that exceed $500,000, which may include costs due to design errors.

Summary: WSDOT is directed to streamline its permitting process by developing and maintaining positive relationships with permitting agencies and the Indian tribes. The Legislature directs WSDOT to demonstrate the capacity to meet its environmental responsibilities. Activities that will achieve this result include having qualified WSDOT staff supervise all environmental documentation in accordance with WSDOT's project delivery tools, holding pre-bid meetings for environmentally complex projects, and conducting field inspections to ensure that project activities comply with permit conditions and environmental commitments.

WSDOT must provide an annual report summarizing violations of environmental permits and regulations to The Department of Ecology and the Legislature on March 1 of each year for violations occurring during the preceding year.

WSDOT must submit a report to the transportation committees of the Legislature detailing engineering errors on highway construction projects resulting in project cost increases in excess of $500,000. An initial report is due within 30 days of the occurrence of the engineering error. A full report must be submitted within 90 days of the occurrence of the engineering error. The full report must include an assessment of how the engineering error happened, what employees made the error – (without disclosing the name of the employee or employees), and what corrective action was taken.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate

47

2

Third Special Session

Senate

41

4

House

98

0

Effective:

July 6, 2015

Partial Veto Summary: Removes the requirement that WSDOT provide an annual agency "LEAN & Performance & Accountability Report” regarding progress made on achieving certain goals and reforms, including the completion of a Baldrige assessment.