2124-S AMS TRAN JOHK 020

Offered by Senator Haugen

SHB 2124 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Transportation

ADOPTED 4/13/05

Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the state needs to reestablish itself as a leader in public transportation.

The legislature also finds that increased demands on transportation resources require increased coordination among public transportation service providers.

The legislature also finds that the efficiency of transportation corridors would be enhanced by a more proactive and integrated approach to public transportation service delivery and planning.

The legislature also finds that the state department of transportation is in the unique position of being able to improve connectivity between service territories of transit agencies and modes of transportation.

The legislature also finds that the state should be a center of excellence in public transportation planning and research and providing technical assistance to transit agencies serving urban, suburban, and rural areas.

Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature that the state department of transportation be a leader in public transportation. The department shall play a guiding role in coordinating decentralized public transportation services, increasing connectivity between them, advocating for public transportation as a means to increase corridor efficiency, and increasing the integration of public transportation and the highway system.

Sec. 2. RCW 47.01.081 and 1984 c 48 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Initially the department shall be organized into divisions, including the division of highways, the division of transit and public ((transportation)) mobility, the division of aeronautics, the division of marine transportation, and the division of transportation planning and budget.

(2) The secretary may reorganize divisions in order to attain the maximum possible efficiency in the operation of the department. Each division shall be headed by an assistant secretary to be appointed by the secretary. The secretary may also appoint a deputy secretary as may be needed for the performance of the duties and functions vested in the department and may also appoint up to twelve ferry system management positions as defined in RCW 47.64.011. The secretary may delegate to officers within the several divisions of the department authority to employ personnel necessary to discharge the responsibilities of the department.

(3) The officers appointed under this section shall be exempt from the provisions of the state civil service law and shall be paid salaries to be fixed by the governor in accordance with the procedure established by law for the fixing of salaries for officers exempt from the operation of the state civil service law.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 47.01 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The secretary shall establish an office of transit mobility within the division of transit and public mobility. The purpose of the office is to ensure the integration of decentralized public transportation services with the state transportation system. The goals of the office of transit mobility are: (a) To facilitate connection and coordination of transit services and planning; and (b) maximizing opportunities to use public transportation to improve the efficiency of transportation corridors.

(2) The duties of the office include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) Developing a statewide strategic plan that creates common goals for transit agencies and reduces competing plans for cross-jurisdictional service;

(b) Developing a park and ride lot program;

(d) Providing public transportation expertise to improve linkages between regional transportation planning organizations and transit agencies;

(e) Strengthening policies for inclusion of transit and transportation demand management strategies in route development, corridor plan standards, and budget proposals;

(f) Recommending best practices to integrate transit and demand management strategies with regional and local land use plans in order to reduce traffic and improve mobility and access;

(g) Producing recommendations for the public transportation section of the Washington transportation plan; and

(h) Participating in all aspects of corridor planning, including freight planning, ferry system planning, and passenger rail planning.

(3) In forming the office, the secretary shall use existing resources to the greatest extent possible.

(4) The office of transit mobility shall establish measurable performance objectives for evaluating the success of its initiatives and progress toward accomplishing the overall goals of the office.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 47.01 RCW to read as follows:

Local and regional transportation agencies shall adopt common transportation goals. The office of transit mobility shall review local and regional transportation plans, including plans required under RCW 35.58.2795, 36.70A.070(6), 36.70A.210, and 47.80.023, to provide for the efficient integration of multimodal and multijurisdictional transportation planning.

Sec. 5. RCW 47.66.030 and 1996 c 49 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

(((1)(a))) The ((transportation improvement board)) division of transit and public mobility is authorized and responsible for the final selection of ((programs and ))capital projects ((funded)) appropriated from the central Puget Sound public transportation account; public transportation systems account; and ((the intermodal surface transportation and efficiency act of 1991, surface transportation program, statewide competitive)) and the multimodal transportation account.

(((b))) The ((board)) division of transit and public mobility may establish subcommittees as well as technical advisory committees to carry out the mandates of this chapter.

(((2) Expenses of the board, including administrative expenses for managing the program, shall be paid in accordance with RCW 47.26.140.))

Sec. 6. RCW 47.66.040 and 1995 c 269 s 2606 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The ((transportation improvement board)) division of transit and public mobility shall select ((programs and)) capital projects based on a competitive process consistent with the mandates governing each account or source of funds. The competition shall be consistent with the following criteria:

(a) Local, regional, and state transportation plans;

(b) Local transit development plans; and

(2) The following criteria shall be considered by the ((board)) division of transit and public mobility in selecting programs and projects:

(a) Objectives of the growth management act, the high capacity transportation act, the commute trip reduction act, transportation demand management programs, federal and state air quality requirements, and federal Americans with Disabilities Act and related state accessibility requirements; and

(b) Enhancing the efficiency of regional corridors in moving people among jurisdictions and modes of transportation, energy efficiency issues, reducing delay for people and goods, freight and goods movement as related to economic development, regional significance, rural isolation, the leveraging of other funds ((including funds administered by this board)), and safety and security issues.

(3) The ((board)) division of transit and public mobility shall determine the appropriate level of local match required for each ((program and)) capital project based on the source of funds.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. A new section is added to chapter 47.66 RCW to read as follows:

Beginning in 2005, and every other year thereafter, the division of transit and public mobility shall examine the division's existing grant programs, and the methods used to allocate grant funds, to determine the program's effectiveness, and whether the methods used to allocate funds result in an equitable distribution of the grants. The department shall submit a report of the findings to the transportation committees of the legislature.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. If Senate Bill No. 6103 is not enacted by June 30, 2005, this act is null and void."

SHB 2124 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Transportation

Offered by Senator Haugen

On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "planning;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 47.01.081, 47.66.030, and 47.66.040; adding new sections to chapter 47.01 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 47.66 RCW; and creating new sections."

--- END ---