BILL REQ. #:  S-0644.1 

Read first time 01/11/2007.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to creation of a telework enhancement funding board; and adding a new chapter to Title 47 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature recognizes that commuting accounts for more trips and miles traveled than any other single purpose. The legislature also recognizes that telework has been found to reduce commute trips and provide flexibility for work-related travel. Additionally, telework enables employers to allow employees to work outside of urban areas, which reduces urban commute trips while strengthening rural economies. The legislature further recognizes that telework is a key component in a comprehensive transportation demand management package. Therefore, it is the legislature's intent to decrease traffic congestion with the creation of the telework enhancement funding board.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   As used in this chapter, "telework" means a work arrangement whereby employees are regularly scheduled to perform the normal duties and responsibilities of their positions at locations other than the traditional workplace, through the use of computers or telecommunications. The term includes persons who are self-employed.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) The telework enhancement funding board is created consisting of eight members.
     (2) Five members of the board are voting members appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the senate. One of these voting members must be a cabinet-level appointment as the governor's representative to the board. The governor shall appoint one of the general public members of the board as the chair. The voting members of the board will be appointed for terms of four years, except that two members initially will be appointed for terms of two years, and three members will initially be appointed for terms of three years. In making the appointments, the governor shall seek a board membership that collectively provide the expertise necessary to provide strong fiscal oversight of telework enhancement projects. The governor shall appoint at least three of the voting members of the board no later than ninety days after the effective date of this act. Vacant positions on the board will be filled in the same manner as original appointments. The governor may remove members of the board for good cause.
     In addition to the five voting members of the board, the following three state officials shall serve as ex officio nonvoting members of the board: The secretary of the department of transportation, the secretary of the utilities and transportation commission, and the director of the department of community, trade, and economic development. The state officials serving in an ex officio capacity may designate a representative of their respective agencies to serve on the board in their behalf. The designations must be made in writing and in a manner as specified by the board.
     (3) The department of transportation shall provide staff support to the board. For administrative purposes, the board is located with the department of transportation.
     (4) Members of the board who do not represent state agencies will be compensated as provided by RCW 43.03.250. Members of the board will be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided by RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   (1) The board is responsible for making grants and loans for telework enhancement projects and telework activities from the amounts appropriated to the board for this purpose. To accomplish this purpose the board may:
     (a) Provide assistance to grant and loan applicants regarding the procedures and criteria for grant and loan awards;
     (b) Make and execute all manner of contracts and agreements with public and private parties as the board deems necessary, consistent with the purposes of this chapter;
     (c) Accept gifts, grants, or loans of funds, property, or financial or other aid in any form from any other source on any terms that are not in conflict with this chapter;
     (d) Adopt rules under chapter 34.05 RCW as necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter; and
     (e) Do all acts and things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers expressly granted or implied under this chapter.
     (2) The department of transportation shall provide all necessary grants and loans administration assistance to the board, and shall distribute funds as provided by the board in section 5 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   (1) The board shall develop procedures and criteria for allocation of funds for telework enhancement projects and telework activities on a statewide basis to address the highest priorities for enhancing telework. To the extent practicable the board shall adopt an annual allocation of funding. The allocation should address the acceleration of telework in Washington. The board may annually establish a maximum amount of funding available for any individual project, subject to available funding.
     (2)(a) In evaluating, ranking, and awarding funds for projects and activities the board shall give preference to projects that:
     (i) Provide incentives to employers to provide telework opportunities for employees;
     (ii) Provide incentives and assistance to employers to locate jobs outside the congested Puget Sound urban areas; or
     (iii) Assist in developing telecommunications infrastructure in rural and underserved communities.
     (b) In evaluating, ranking, and awarding funds for projects and activities the board shall also give consideration to projects that:
     (i) Are the most cost-effective;
     (ii) Have the greatest matched or in-kind funding; and
     (iii) Will be implemented by a sponsor with a successful record of project implementation.
     (3) The board may waive or modify portions of the allocation procedures and standards adopted under this section in the award of grants or loans to conform to legislative appropriations directing an alternative award procedure or when the funds to be awarded are from federal or other sources requiring other allocation procedures or standards as a condition of the board's receipt of the funds. The board shall develop an integrated process to manage the allocation of funding from federal and state sources to minimize delays in the award of funding while recognizing the difference in state and legislative appropriation timing.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   (1) Telework projects must be submitted to the telework enhancement funding board for funding by January 1st and July 1st of each year beginning in 2007. Beginning in 2008, the board shall provide the legislature with a list of the proposed projects and a list of the projects funded by October 1st of each year for informational purposes.
     (2) The department of transportation shall track all funds allocated for telework enhancement projects and telework activities on behalf of the board, including both funds allocated by the board and funds allocated by other state or federal agencies for telework enhancement.
     (3) Beginning in December 2008, the board shall provide a biennial report to the governor and the legislature on telework enhancement expenditures.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   The telework enhancement account is created in the state treasury. Such funds as the legislature directs or appropriates to the account will be deposited to the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used for telework enhancement.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   The department of transportation shall provide necessary grants and loan administration support to the telework enhancement funding board. The department shall also track telework enhancement expenditures. The department shall provide all necessary administrative support to the board, and the board will be located with the department.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 9   Sections 1 through 8 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 47 RCW.