READ FIRST TIME 02/28/07.   

     AN ACT Relating to the state route number 520 bridge replacement and HOV project; adding a new section to chapter 47.01 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 47.01 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) As soon as practicable after the effective date of this act, and after consulting with the city of Seattle, the department shall hire a mediator, and appropriate planning staff, including urban, transportation, and neighborhood planners, to assist the department in developing a state route number 520 expansion impact plan for addressing the impacts of the state route number 520 bridge replacement and HOV project on Seattle neighborhoods, parks, and institutions of higher education, and the city of Seattle. The mediator must have significant professional experience in working with impacted communities that surround major transportation construction projects, mitigating the construction impacts on those communities. In evaluating the project impacts, the mediator shall consider the concerns of neighborhoods and institutions of higher education directly impacted by the proposed designs, and shall work with the appropriate planning staff. The mediator shall work to ensure that the plan provides a comprehensive approach to mitigating the impacts of the project. The department shall hire the mediator and the planning staff within existing appropriations allocated for the state route number 520 bridge replacement and HOV project. The position of mediator under this section is not considered a certified or legally binding position.
     (2) The state route number 520 expansion impact plan must be submitted to the commission, which shall oversee the development of the plan. The commission shall approve the plan sixty days before the propositions required under RCW 36.120.070(2) and 81.112.030(10) are submitted to regional voters at the 2007 general election, or before the beginning of the 2008 regular legislative session.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.