BILL REQ. #:  H-0756.1 

Read first time 01/17/2003.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to the creation of a citizen oversight panel to measure performance of the state's transportation system; and adding new sections to chapter 47.01 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature recognizes the need to strengthen accountability for the performance of the state's transportation system. A critical component is the participation of the citizens in measuring transportation system performance against benchmarks established in chapter 5, Laws of 2002. In creating a citizen oversight panel, the legislature intends to involve and strengthen citizen oversight of the state's transportation system.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The citizen oversight panel is created.
     (2) The panel will consist of seven members appointed by the governor, for terms of four years, except that at least half the members initially appointed will be appointed for terms of two years. The members of the panel must be chosen so the panel will have experience and expertise related to, but not limited to, the following areas: (a) Performance measurement and attainment, and best management practices; (b) budgeting and accounting, cost controls, and reporting; (c) transportation planning and congestion management; (d) public transportation and transit agency operations; (e) civil engineering; (f) transportation construction management and administration; (g) construction work force training and safety; and (h) crafting and implementing environmental mitigation plans.
     (3) Members of the panel may not be removed before the expiration of their terms unless for cause based upon a determination of incapacity, incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office by the Thurston county superior court, upon petition and show cause proceedings brought for that purpose in that court and directed to the panel member in question.
     (4) No member may be appointed for more than three consecutive terms.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) The citizen oversight panel must oversee and review the establishment and attainment of transportation performance measures directed in RCW 47.01.012 to ensure an efficient and effective state transportation system. To this end, the panel:
     (a) Will analyze, investigate, and evaluate data and information on existing performance measures and benchmarks to:
     (i) Determine the effectiveness and adequacy of current performance measures and benchmarks; and
     (ii) Determine the need for modification or creation of additional performance measures and benchmarks;
     (b) Will work in cooperation with the department of transportation in establishing, reviewing, and revising state performance measures and benchmarks as needed;
     (c) May request additional information or data from the department of transportation as needed;
     (d) May make recommendations to the governor and the legislature on the need to revise or add policy goals to those currently in statute that will result in increased efficiencies, create savings, and improve the delivery of transportation services to the public;
     (e) Will issue an annual report to the governor and the legislature detailing the panel's research activities, findings, and any recommendations resulting from their efforts as well as a status report on the performance measures currently in use by the department and the results of those measures.
     (2) The panel may hire secretarial staff and professional staff as necessary to support the duties, functions, responsibilities, and activities of the panel. The panel may acquire office space and equipment for the staff. The legislative evaluation and accountability program will provide data and information technology support consistent with the support currently supplied to existing legislative committees.
     (3) In addition to its regular staff, the panel may contract out for technical personnel to assist and advise the panel in the performance of its duties if needed.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   (1) The panel shall meet periodically. It may adopt its own rules and may establish its own procedures. It shall act collectively in harmony with recorded resolutions or motions adopted by a majority vote of the members. The panel will be compensated from the general appropriation for the joint legislative audit and review committee and in accordance with RCW 43.03.250.
     (2) Each member of the panel will be compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.250 and reimbursed for actual necessary traveling and other expenses in going to, attending, and returning from meetings of the panel or that are incurred in the discharge of duties requested by the chair. However, in no event may a panel member be compensated in any year for more than one hundred twenty days, except the chair may be compensated for not more than one hundred fifty days. Service on the panel does not qualify as a service credit for the purposes of a public retirement system.
     (3) The panel shall keep proper records and is subject to audit by the state auditor or other auditing entities.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   Sections 1 through 4 of this act are each added to chapter 47.01 RCW.