For the purpose of implementing RCW 47.46.030 (3) through (11) relative to the process for conducting public advisory elections on selected transportation facilities, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Affected project area" means a geographic area of the state impacted by the imposition of tolls or user fees that is defined and established by the department following a public comment period and a recommendation by the public private local involvement committee. The affected project area is a geographic portion of the state which is depicted in a map.

(2) "City" means any jurisdiction formed under Titles 35 and 35A RCW including any first class city (RCW 35.01.010), second class city (RCW 35.01.020), town (RCW 35.01.040) or code city (RCW 35A.01.035).

(3) "County auditor" shall have the same meaning as provided in RCW 29.01.043.

(4) "Department" means the Washington state department of transportation.

(5) "Initial affected project area" means a geographic area of the state that is defined by the department as a result of a comprehensive analysis of traffic patterns and economic impacts created by the imposition of tolls or user fees to finance a proposed project.

(6) "Local involvement committee (LIC)" means an advisory committee officially named the "public private local involvement committee" which will be established for each proposed project. The LIC will serve in an advisory capacity on all functions and responsibilities of the department in the conduct of the public advisory election.

(7) "Project description" means a written description of the proposed project that is prepared by the department in consultation with the LIC. The project description is a statement of the essential elements of the proposed project.

(8) "Project developer" means a private entity submitting a proposed project to improve transportation capital facilities under chapter 47.46 RCW.

(9) "Proposed project" means a conceptual project proposed by one or more project developers which is intended to build or improve transportation capital facilities. The proposed projects are those selected pursuant to chapter 47.46 RCW which have organized opposition as demonstrated by the submission to the department of original petitions bearing at least five thousand signatures of individuals opposing the proposed project by the deadlines set forth in RCW 47.46.030 (10) and (11).

(10) "Public advisory election" means an election conducted within an affected project area by the county auditor for the purpose of advising the department on the public support or opposition to the imposition of tolls to finance a proposed project.

(11) "Preferred alternative" means a proposed action identified in the draft environmental impact statement developed in chapter 43.21C RCW.