BILL REQ. #:  H-3835.1 

Read first time 02/03/14.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to creating an advisory board for the Washington state ferry system; and adding a new section to chapter 47.60 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 47.60 RCW to read as follows:
     (1)(a) A ferries advisory board must be created to provide guidance regarding the operation of the Washington state ferry system. The advisory board must be composed of one voting member from each county in the state in which there is a terminus of the state ferry system. The county council of each such county must appoint a representative to the advisory board. The advisory board may also include a nonvoting member who is a representative of any Canadian regional district in which there is a terminus of the state ferry system who must be appointed, if at all, by the board of directors of such regional district.
     (b) The governor must appoint a person to serve as a voting member and as chair of the advisory board.
     (c) The advisory board may take action only if a quorum is present and the action is approved by a majority of the voting members who are present. A quorum is deemed present throughout any meeting of the advisory board if a majority of the voting members appointed to the advisory board are present.
     (d) Members of the advisory board must serve without compensation, except advisory board members may be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in carrying out the duties of the advisory board in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
     (2) At the first meeting of the ferries advisory board, the voting members must draw lots to determine the length of their initial terms. In drawing lots, three members must serve a one-year term, three members must serve a two-year term, and three members must serve a three-year term. After a voting member's initial term, the voting member must serve a three-year term and may be reappointed to the advisory board by the appropriate authority listed in subsection (1) of this section.
     (3)(a) The ferries advisory board must serve in an advisory capacity to the commission on matters related to the fare-setting process. The advisory board must also advise the secretary of transportation on matters related to the management of the ferry system, including system efficiencies and the relationship between labor and management.
     (b) In completing the duties listed in (a) of this subsection, the advisory board must consult with the ferry advisory committees created in RCW 47.60.310.
     (4) The department must provide necessary support to the ferries advisory board, including relevant documents requested by the advisory board, a location in which the advisory board may hold meetings, and administrative support.
     (5) The ferries advisory board must hold its first meeting by December 1, 2014. Thereafter, meetings must be held quarterly, and members of the public must be given an opportunity to provide input at the beginning of each meeting. At least one meeting a year must be held in a community outside of King county that is served by a Washington state ferry vessel.