Read first time 01/10/2006.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to drainage and diking works; and amending RCW 85.07.170 and 47.01.260.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 85.07.170 and 1963 c 96 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The commissioners of any drainage or diking district shall have power, on behalf of the district, to acquire, place, repair and maintain, dikes and dams, ditches, drains and outlets therefor, together with right of way therefor and access thereto, or obtain rights therein or full or joint use and maintenance thereof, when deemed by them necessary or beneficial for the protection of the district's system or its improvements, by eminent domain, purchase, or contract, with the owners or other districts through their commissioners, or other entities or persons together with power to contract by and with other districts or entities with reference to such matters and their performance.
     (2) If the commissioners of any drainage or diking district determine that repair or maintenance is required on any drainage facilities, including dikes and dams, ditches, and drains and outlets, that are on land owned by or under the jurisdiction of the department of transportation, they may give notice in writing to the department requesting that the department make the necessary repair or maintenance pursuant to the department's obligations under RCW 47.01.260. If the specified repair or maintenance is not conducted by the department within fourteen days upon receipt of the notice, the district commissioners may independently make the repair or maintenance. The department shall then reimburse the district for all reasonable costs incurred by the district associated with the repair or maintenance.
     (3) The provisions of this section shall be construed as cumulative and shall not derogate from any other powers authorized by law for such districts.

Sec. 2   RCW 47.01.260 and 1983 c 29 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The department of transportation shall exercise all the powers and perform all the duties necessary, convenient, or incidental to the planning, locating, designing, constructing, improving, repairing, operating, and maintaining state highways, including bridges and other structures, culverts, and drainage facilities and channel changes necessary for the protection of state highways, and shall examine and allow or disallow bills, subject to the provisions of RCW 85.07.170, for any work or services performed or materials, equipment, or supplies furnished.
     (2) Subject to the limitations of RCW 4.24.115, the department, in the exercise of any of its powers, may include in any authorized contract a provision for indemnifying the other contracting party against specific loss or damages arising out of the performance of the contract.
     (3) The department is authorized to acquire property as provided by law and to construct and maintain thereon any buildings or structures necessary or convenient for the planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and administration of the state highway system and to acquire property and to construct and maintain any buildings, structures, appurtenances, and facilities necessary or convenient to the health and safety and for the accommodation of persons traveling upon state highways.
     (4) The department is authorized to engage in planning surveys and may collect, compile, and analyze statistics and other data relative to existing and future highways and highway needs throughout the state, and shall conduct research, investigations, and testing as it deems necessary to improve the methods of construction and maintenance of highways and bridges.