State Washington Chapter 47.01 RCW Department of transportation Chapter 47.01 RCW Department of transportation Notes: Collection agencies, use by public bodies to collect public debts--Fees: RCW 19.16.500. Cross-state trail -- Rail line franchise negotiations: RCW 79A.05.125. Flaggers -- Safety standards: RCW 49.17.350. Interagency committee for outdoor recreation, secretary of transportation member of: RCW 79A.25.110. Mt. St. Helens eruption, facilitating recovery from -- Scope of state agency action: RCW 43.01.210. Secretary's duties generally: RCW 46.68.120. motor vehicle fund, distribution of amount to counties -- Factors of distribution formula for RCW 46.68.120(4) funds: RCW 46.68.122. population, road cost, money need, computed -- Allocation percentage adjustment, when: RCW 46.68.124. Traffic safety commission, secretary of transportation member of: RCW 43.59.030. Trails system, Washington state recreation, department of transportation participation: RCW 79A.35.120. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.011 Legislative declaration. The legislature hereby recognizes the following imperative needs within the state: To create a statewide transportation development plan which identifies present status and sets goals for the future; to coordinate transportation modes; to promote and protect land use programs required in local, state and federal law; to coordinate transportation with the economic development of the state; to supply a broad framework in which regional, metropolitan, and local transportation needs can be related; to facilitate the supply of federal and state aid to those areas which will most benefit the state as a whole; to provide for public involvement in the transportation planning and development process; to administer programs within the jurisdiction of this title relating to the safety of the state's transportation systems; and to coordinate and implement national transportation policy with the state transportation planning program. The legislature finds and declares that placing all elements of transportation in a single department is fully consistent with and shall in no way impair the use of moneys in the motor vehicle fund exclusively for highway purposes. Through this chapter, a unified department of transportation is created. To the jurisdiction of this department will be transferred the present powers, duties, and functions of the department of highways, the highway commission, the toll bridge authority, the aeronautics commission, and the canal commission, and the transportation related powers, duties, and functions of the *planning and community affairs agency. [1977 ex.s. c 151 § 1.] Notes: *Reviser's note: "Planning and community affairs agency" means "department of community, trade, and economic development." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.012 Intent — 2002 c 5. It is the intent of the legislature to establish policy goals for the operation, performance of, and investment in, the state's transportation system. The policy goals shall consist of, but not be limited to, the following benchmark categories, adopted by the state's Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation on November 30, 2000. In addition to improving safety, public investments in transportation shall support achievement of these and other priority goals: No interstate highways, state routes, and local arterials shall be in poor condition; no bridges shall be structurally deficient, and safety retrofits shall be performed on those state bridges at the highest seismic risk levels; traffic congestion on urban state highways shall be significantly reduced and be no worse than the national mean; delay per driver shall be significantly reduced and no worse than the national mean; per capita vehicle miles traveled shall be maintained at 2000 levels; the nonauto share of commuter trips shall be increased in urban areas; administrative costs as a percentage of transportation spending shall achieve the most efficient quartile nationally; and the state's public transit agencies shall achieve the median cost per vehicle revenue hour of peer transit agencies, adjusting for the regional cost-of-living. These policy goals shall be the basis for establishment of detailed and measurable performance benchmarks. It is the intent of the legislature that the transportation commission establish performance measures to ensure transportation system performance at local, regional, and state government levels, and the transportation commission should work with appropriate government entities to accomplish this. [2002 c 5 § 101.] Notes: Effective date -- 2002 c 5 § 101: "Section 101 of this act takes effect July 1, 2002." [2002 c 5 § 102.] Captions not law -- 2002 c 5: "Captions and part headings used in this act are not part of the law." [2002 c 5 § 419.] Severability -- 2002 c 5: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [2002 c 5 § 420.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.021 Definitions. As used in this title unless the context indicates otherwise: (1) "Department" means the department of transportation created in RCW 47.01.031; (2) "Commission" means the transportation commission created in RCW 47.01.051; (3) "Secretary" means the secretary of transportation as provided for in RCW 47.01.041. [1977 ex.s. c 151 § 2.] Notes:Additional definitions: RCW 47.04.010. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.031 Department created — Transfer of powers, duties, and functions. (1) There is created a department of state government to be known as the department of transportation. (2) All powers, duties, and functions vested by law in the department of highways, the state highway commission, the director of highways, the Washington toll bridge authority, the aeronautics commission, the director of aeronautics, and the canal commission, and the transportation related powers, duties, and functions of the *planning and community affairs agency, are transferred to the jurisdiction of the department, except those powers, duties, and functions which are expressly directed elsewhere in **this or in any other act of the 1977 legislature. (3) The board of pilotage commissioners is transferred to the jurisdiction of the department for its staff support and administration: PROVIDED, That nothing in this section shall be construed as transferring any policy making powers of the board of pilotage commissioners to the transportation commission or the department of transportation. [1988 c 167 § 11; 1977 ex.s. c 151 § 3.] Notes: Reviser's note: *(1) The "planning and community affairs agency" has been renamed the "department of community, trade, and economic development." **(2) For codification of "this . . . . act" [1977 ex.s. c 151], see Codification Tables, Volume 0. Savings -- Severability -- 1988 c 167: See notes following RCW 47.26.121. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.041 Secretary of transportation — Appointment, salary, removal. The executive head of the department of transportation shall be the secretary of transportation, who shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate, and shall be paid a salary to be fixed by the governor in accordance with the provisions of RCW 43.03.040. The secretary shall be an ex officio member of the transportation commission without a vote. The secretary shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. [2005 c 319 § 3; 1983 1st ex.s. c 53 § 28; 1977 ex.s. c 151 § 4.] Notes: Findings--Intent--Part headings--Effective dates -- 2005 c 319: See notes following RCW 43.17.020. Severability -- 1983 1st ex.s. c 53: See note following RCW 47.10.802. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.051 Commission created — Appointment of members — Terms — Qualifications — Removal. There is hereby created a transportation commission, which shall consist of seven members appointed by the governor, with the consent of the senate. The present five members of the highway commission shall serve as five initial members of the transportation commission until their terms of office as highway commission members would have expired. The additional two members provided herein for the transportation commission shall be appointed for initial terms to expire on June 30, 1982, and June 30, 1983. Thereafter all terms shall be for six years. No elective state official or state officer or state employee shall be a member of the commission, and not more than four members of the commission shall at the time of appointment or thereafter during their respective terms of office be members of the same major political party. At the time of appointment or thereafter during their respective terms of office, four members of the commission shall reside in the western part of the state and three members shall reside in the eastern part of the state as divided north and south by the summit of the Cascade mountains. No more than two members of the commission shall reside in the same county. Commissioners shall not be removed from office by the governor before the expiration of their terms unless for a disqualifying change of residence or for cause based upon a determination of incapacity, incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office by the superior court of the state of Washington in and for Thurston county upon petition and show cause proceedings duly brought therefor in said court and directed to the commissioner in question. No member shall be appointed for more than two consecutive terms. [1977 ex.s. c 151 § 5.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.061 Commission — Procedures and internal operations. (1) The commission shall meet at such times as it deems advisable but at least once every month. It may adopt its own rules and regulations and may establish its own procedure. It shall act collectively in harmony with recorded resolutions or motions adopted by majority vote of at least four members. The commission may appoint an administrative secretary, and shall elect one of its members chairman for a term of one year. The chairman shall be able to vote on all matters before the commission. The commission may from time to time retain planners, consultants, and other technical personnel to advise it in the performance of its duties. (2) The commission shall submit to each regular session of the legislature held in an odd-numbered year its own budget proposal necessary for the commission's operations separate from that proposed for the department. (3) Each member of the commission shall be compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.250 and shall be reimbursed for actual necessary traveling and other expenses in going to, attending, and returning from meetings of the commission, and actual and necessary traveling and other expenses incurred in the discharge of such duties as may be requested by a majority vote of the commission or by the secretary of transportation, but in no event shall a commissioner be compensated in any year for more than one hundred twenty days, except the chairman of the commission who may be paid compensation for not more than one hundred fifty days. Service on the commission shall not be considered as service credit for the purposes of any public retirement system. (4) Each member of the commission shall disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest, if applicable under the circumstance, regarding any commission business. [2005 c 319 § 4; 1987 c 364 § 2; 1984 c 287 § 94; 1983 1st ex.s. c 53 § 29; 1981 c 59 § 1; 1977 ex.s. c 151 § 6.] Notes: Findings--Intent--Part headings--Effective dates -- 2005 c 319: See notes following RCW 43.17.020. Legislative findings -- Severability -- Effective date -- 1984 c 287: See notes following RCW 43.03.220. Severability -- 1983 1st ex.s. c 53: See note following RCW 47.10.802. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.070 Director's and commissioner's prior assignments may be delegated. In all situations wherein the director of highways, the director of aeronautics or any one of their designees, or any member of the highway commission, the toll bridge authority, the aeronautics commission, or the canal commission or any one of their designees was on September 21, 1977, designated or serving as a member of any board, commission, committee, or authority, the chairman of the transportation commission or the chairman's designee who shall be an employee of the department of transportation, shall hereafter determine who shall serve as such member. [1977 ex.s. c 151 § 27; 1961 c 13 § 47.01.070. Prior: 1951 c 247 § 5. Formerly RCW 43.27.120.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.071 Commission — Functions, powers, and duties. The transportation commission shall have the following functions, powers, and duties: (1) To propose policies to be adopted by the governor and the legislature designed to assure the development and maintenance of a comprehensive and balanced statewide transportation system which will meet the needs of the people of this state for safe and efficient transportation services. Wherever appropriate the policies shall provide for the use of integrated, intermodal transportation systems to implement the social, economic, and environmental policies, goals, and objectives of the people of the state, and especially to conserve nonrenewable natural resources including land and energy. To this end the commission shall: (a) Develop transportation policies which are based on the policies, goals, and objectives expressed and inherent in existing state laws; (b) Inventory the adopted policies, goals, and objectives of the local and area-wide governmental bodies of the state and define the role of the state, regional, and local governments in determining transportation policies, in transportation planning, and in implementing the state transportation plan; (c) Propose a transportation policy for the state; (d) Establish a procedure for review and revision of the state transportation policy and for submission of proposed changes to the governor and the legislature; (e) To integrate the statewide transportation plan with the needs of the elderly and handicapped, and to coordinate federal and state programs directed at assisting local governments to answer such needs; (2) To provide for the effective coordination of state transportation planning with national transportation policy, state and local land use policies, and local and regional transportation plans and programs; (3) In conjunction with the provisions under RCW 47.01.075, to provide for public involvement in transportation designed to elicit the public's views both with respect to adequate transportation services and appropriate means of minimizing adverse social, economic, environmental, and energy impact of transportation programs; (4) To prepare a comprehensive and balanced statewide transportation plan which shall be based on the transportation policy adopted by the governor and the legislature and applicable state and federal laws. The plan shall be reviewed and revised, and submitted to the governor and the house of representatives and senate standing committees on transportation, prior to each regular session of the legislature during an even-numbered year thereafter. The plan shall take into account federal law and regulations relating to the planning, construction, and operation of transportation facilities; (5) To propose to the governor and the legislature prior to the convening of each regular session held in an odd-numbered year a recommended budget for the operations of the commission as required by RCW 47.01.061; (6) To approve the issuance and sale of all bonds authorized by the legislature for capital construction of state highways, toll facilities, Columbia Basin county roads (for which reimbursement to the motor vehicle fund has been provided), urban arterial projects, and aviation facilities; (7) To adopt such rules, regulations, and policy directives as may be necessary to carry out reasonably and properly those functions expressly vested in the commission by statute; (8) To contract with the office of financial management or other appropriate state agencies for administrative support, accounting services, computer services, and other support services necessary to carry out its other statutory duties; (9) To exercise such other specific powers and duties as may be vested in the transportation commission by this or any other provision of law. [2005 c 319 § 5; 1981 c 59 § 2; 1980 c 87 § 45; 1977 ex.s. c 151 § 7.] Notes: Findings--Intent--Part headings--Effective dates -- 2005 c 319: See notes following RCW 43.17.020. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.075 Transportation policy development. (1) The transportation commission shall provide a forum for the development of transportation policy in Washington state. It may recommend to the secretary of transportation, the governor, and the legislature means for obtaining appropriate citizen and professional involvement in all transportation policy formulation and other matters related to the powers and duties of the department. It may further hold hearings and explore ways to improve the mobility of the citizenry. At least every five years, the commission shall convene regional forums to gather citizen input on transportation issues. (2) Every two years, in coordination with the development of the state biennial budget, the commission shall prepare the statewide multimodal transportation progress report that outlines the transportation priorities of the ensuing biennium. The report must: (a) Consider the citizen input gathered at the forums; (b) Be developed with the assistance of state transportation-related agencies and organizations; (c) Be developed with the input from state, local, and regional jurisdictions, transportation service providers, and key transportation stakeholders; (d) Be considered by the secretary of transportation and other state transportation-related agencies in preparing proposed agency budgets and executive request legislation; (e) Be submitted by the commission to the governor by October 1st of each even-numbered year for consideration by the governor. (3) In fulfilling its responsibilities under this section, the commission may create ad hoc committees or other such committees of limited duration as necessary. (4) In order to promote a better transportation system, the commission shall offer policy guidance and make recommendations to the governor and the legislature in key issue areas, including but not limited to: (a) Transportation finance; (b) Preserving, maintaining, and operating the statewide transportation system; (c) Transportation infrastructure needs; (d) Promoting best practices for adoption and use by transportation-related agencies and programs; (e) Transportation efficiencies that will improve service delivery and/or coordination; (f) Improved planning and coordination among transportation agencies and providers; and (g) Use of intelligent transportation systems and other technology-based solutions. [2005 c 319 § 6.] Notes: Transfers--2005 c 319: "(1)(a) All reports, documents, surveys, books, records, files, papers, or written material relating to the conduct of performance reviews and audits in the possession of the legislative transportation committee must be delivered to the custody of the transportation commission. Any remaining documents, books, records, files, papers, and written materials must be delivered to the custody of the joint transportation committee. All funds, credits, or other assets held by the legislative transportation committee for the purposes of staffing the transportation performance audit board are assigned to the transportation commission. Any remaining funds, credits, or other assets held by the legislative transportation committee are assigned to the joint transportation committee. (b) If any question arises as to the transfer of any funds, books, documents, records, papers, files, equipment, or other tangible property used or held in the exercise of the powers and the performance of the duties and functions transferred, the director of financial management shall make a determination as to the proper allocation and certify the same to the state agencies concerned. (2) All employees of the legislative transportation committee are transferred to the jurisdiction of the transportation commission for the support of the transportation performance audit board. However, the commission may, if staffing needs warrant, assign the employees to other commission functions." [2005 c 319 § 15.] Findings--Intent--Part headings--Effective dates -- 2005 c 319: See notes following RCW 43.17.020. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.081 Department — Organization — Management personnel. (1) Initially the department shall be organized into divisions, including the division of highways, the division of public transportation, 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. [1984 c 48 § 1; 1977 ex.s. c 151 § 8.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.091 Advisory councils. The secretary shall establish such advisory councils as are necessary to carry out the purposes of *this 1977 amendatory act, and to insure adequate public participation in the planning and development of transportation facilities. Members of such councils shall serve at the pleasure of the secretary and may receive per diem and necessary expenses, in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060, as now or hereafter amended. [1977 ex.s. c 151 § 9.] Notes: *Reviser's note: For codification of "this 1977 amendatory act" [1977 ex.s. c 151], see Codification Tables, Volume 0. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.101 Secretary — Authority and duties. The secretary shall have the authority and it shall be his or her duty: (1) To serve as chief executive officer of the department with full administrative authority to direct all its activities; (2) To organize the department as he or she may deem necessary to carry out the work and responsibilities of the department effectively; (3) To designate and establish such transportation district or branch offices as may be necessary or convenient, and to appoint assistants and delegate any powers, duties, and functions to them or any officer or employee of the department as deemed necessary to administer the department efficiently; (4) To direct and coordinate the programs of the various divisions of the department to assure that they achieve the greatest possible mutual benefit, produce a balanced overall effort, and eliminate unnecessary duplication of activity; (5) To adopt all department rules that are subject to the adoption procedures contained in the state administrative procedure act, except rules subject to adoption by the commission pursuant to statute; (6) To maintain and safeguard the official records of the department, including the commission's recorded resolutions and orders; (7) To provide, under contract or interagency agreement, full staff support to the commission to assist it in carrying out its functions, powers, and duties; (8) To execute and implement the biennial operating budget for the operation of the department in accordance with chapter 43.88 RCW and with legislative appropriation; (9) To advise the governor and the legislature with respect to matters under the jurisdiction of the department; and (10) To exercise all other powers and perform all other duties as are now or hereafter provided by law. [2005 c 319 § 7. Prior: 1987 c 505 § 48; 1987 c 179 § 1; 1983 1st ex.s. c 53 § 30; 1977 ex.s. c 151 § 10.] Notes: Findings--Intent--Part headings--Effective dates -- 2005 c 319: See notes following RCW 43.17.020. Severability -- 1983 1st ex.s. c 53: See note following RCW 47.10.802. Regulations governing parking facilities: RCW 46.61.577. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.131 Continuation of state services to department. All state officials required to maintain contact with or provide services for any of the departments or agencies whose functions are transferred by RCW 47.01.031 shall continue to perform such services for the department of transportation unless otherwise directed by this title. [1977 ex.s. c 151 § 18.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.141 Biennial report. The department shall submit a biennial report to the governor and chairs of the transportation committees of the senate and house of representatives with a copy to the staff of each of the committees, including but not limited to operational and construction activities of the preceding fiscal period as the department deems important and recommendations for future operations of the department. [1987 c 505 § 49; 1984 c 7 § 75; 1977 c 75 § 68; 1973 2nd ex.s. c 12 § 1.] Notes: Severability -- 1984 c 7: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1984 c 7 § 389.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.170 Right of entry. The department or its duly authorized and acting assistants, agents, or appointees have the right to enter upon any land, real estate, or premises in this state, whether public or private, for purposes of making examinations, locations, surveys, and appraisals for highway purposes. The making of any such entry for those purposes does not constitute any trespass by the department or by its duly authorized and acting assistants, agents, or appointees. [1984 c 7 § 77; 1961 c 13 § 47.01.170. Prior: 1945 c 176 § 1; Rem. Supp. 1945 § 6400-3f. Formerly RCW 43.27.030.] Notes: Severability -- 1984 c 7: See note following RCW 47.01.141. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.180 Roads and bridges in state parks. The department is authorized at the request of, and upon plans approved by the state parks and recreation commission, to construct and maintain vehicular roads, highways, and bridges within the limits of the several state parks. [1984 c 7 § 78; 1961 c 13 § 47.01.180. Prior: 1943 c 253 § 1; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 6402-35. Formerly RCW 43.27.040.] Notes: Severability -- 1984 c 7: See note following RCW 47.01.141. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.190 State aid engineer. The secretary shall appoint, with the approval of the governor, a qualified assistant to be designated as "state aid engineer" whose duties shall consist of the administration of the program of state aid in the matter of county roads and city streets. [1984 c 7 § 79; 1961 c 13 § 47.01.190. Prior: 1949 c 220 § 2; Rem. Supp. 1949 § 4600-3g. Formerly RCW 43.27.050.] Notes: Severability -- 1984 c 7: See note following RCW 47.01.141. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.210 Contract without bid or bond with public utilities and municipal corporations. It is lawful for the department to contract without advertising or bid, or performance bond, with any public utility, whether publicly or privately operated, or with any municipal corporation or political subdivision of the state, for the performance of any work or the furnishing of any service of a type ordinarily performed or furnished by such utility, or by such municipal corporation or political subdivision, whenever, in the opinion of the department, the interest of the public will be best served. [1984 c 7 § 80; 1961 c 13 § 47.01.210. Prior: 1955 c 84 § 1; 1953 c 100 § 1. Formerly RCW 43.27.105.] Notes: Severability -- 1984 c 7: See note following RCW 47.01.141. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.230 Powers relating to toll bridges and facilities and state ferries. See RCW 47.56.030. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.240 Coordination of long-range needs studies. The department and the transportation improvement board shall coordinate their activities relative to long-range needs studies, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 47.05 RCW and RCW 47.26.170, respectively, in order that long-range needs data may be developed and maintained on an integrated and comparable basis. Needs data for county roads and city streets in nonurban areas shall be provided by the counties and cities to the department in such form and extent as requested by the department, after consultation with the county road administration board and the association of Washington cities, in order that needs data may be obtained on a comparable basis for all highways, roads, and streets in Washington. [1988 c 167 § 12; 1984 c 7 § 82; 1971 ex.s. c 195 § 10.] Notes: Savings -- Severability -- 1988 c 167: See notes following RCW 47.26.121. Severability -- 1984 c 7: See note following RCW 47.01.141. Severability -- 1971 ex.s. c 195: See note following RCW 43.88.125. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.250 Consultation with designated state officials. The chief of the Washington state patrol, the director of the traffic safety commission, the executive director of the county road administration board, and the director of licensing are designated as official consultants to the transportation commission so that the goals and activities of their respective agencies which relate to transportation are fully coordinated with other related responsibilities of the department of transportation. In this capacity, the chief of the Washington state patrol, the director of the traffic safety commission, the executive director of the county road administration board, and the director of licensing shall consult with the transportation commission and the secretary of transportation on the implications and impacts on the transportation related functions and duties of their respective agencies of any proposed comprehensive transportation plan, program, or policy. In order to develop fully integrated, balanced, and coordinated transportation plans, programs, and budgets the chief of the Washington state patrol, the director of the traffic safety commission, the executive director of the county road administration board, and the director of licensing shall consult with the secretary of transportation on the matter of relative priorities during the development of their respective agencies' plans, programs, and budgets as they pertain to transportation activities. [1998 c 245 § 92; 1990 c 266 § 5; 1979 c 158 § 204; 1977 ex.s. c 151 § 26.] Notes: Identification of environmental costs of transportation projects--Pilot project -- 1993 c 59: "Recognizing the importance of maintaining the quality of life in Washington state, the citizens of this state demand protection and preservation of our scarce natural resources. Citizens also demand an efficient and effective transportation system. The departments of transportation, ecology, fisheries, and wildlife and the Puget Sound water quality authority have worked jointly to develop cooperative approaches for mitigating environmental impacts resulting from transportation projects. Nevertheless, many transportation projects are costing more than was budgeted due to unanticipated and extensive environmental considerations. It is the intent of the legislature to find a process for accessing, budgeting, and accounting for environmental costs related to significant transportation projects in order to determine whether the environmental costs exceed the transportation benefits of a project. Therefore, the department of transportation shall undertake a pilot program in at least one transportation district that will serve as a case study for the entire department. The department shall identify and cost out the discrete environmental elements of a representative sampling of transportation projects. The environmental elements should include, but not necessarily be limited to, wetlands, storm water, hazardous waste, noise, fish, and wildlife. The department shall also consider an assessment of the cost impacts resulting from delays associated with permitting requirements. It is the intent of the legislature that the environmental cost estimates be developed during a detailed scoping process that will include preliminary engineering and design. After the detailed scoping process and design report is complete, the department shall submit project-specific recommendations and cost estimates to the transportation commission before approval is granted for the construction phase of the projects. Based upon the findings of the pilot program the transportation commission shall recommend policies to the legislative transportation committee regarding: (1) The current practice of appropriating design and construction dollars simultaneously; (2) identification of reasonable thresholds for environmental costs; (3) budget and accounting modifications that may be warranted in order to accurately capture environmental costs associated with transportation projects; and (4) modification to the priority array statutes, chapter 47.05 RCW." [1993 c 59 § 1.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.260 Authority of department. (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 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. [1983 c 29 § 1; 1979 ex.s. c 58 § 1.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.270 Radioactive or hazardous cargo, notice of prohibition. The department of transportation shall adopt regulations to establish procedures for giving notice to transporters of placarded radioactive or hazardous cargo of times when transportation of such cargo is prohibited. [1983 c 205 § 2.] Notes:Transportation of radioactive or hazardous cargo, prohibited, when: RCW 47.48.050. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.280 Application for improvements to existing highways. (1) Upon receiving an application for improvements to an existing state highway or highways pursuant to RCW 43.160.074 from the community economic revitalization board, the transportation commission shall, in a timely manner, determine whether or not the proposed state highway improvements: (a) Meet the safety and design criteria of the department of transportation; (b) Will impair the operational integrity of the existing highway system; (c) Will affect any other improvements planned by the department; and (d) Will be consistent with its policies developed pursuant to RCW 47.01.071. (2) Upon completion of its determination of the factors contained in subsection (1) of this section and any other factors it deems pertinent, the transportation commission shall forward its approval, as submitted or amended or disapproval of the proposed improvements to the board, along with any recommendation it may wish to make concerning the desirability and feasibility of the proposed development. If the transportation commission disapproves any proposed improvements, it shall specify its reasons for disapproval. (3) Upon notification from the board of an application's approval pursuant to RCW 43.160.074, the transportation commission shall direct the department of transportation to carry out the improvements in coordination with the applicant. [2005 c 319 § 121; 1999 c 94 § 10; 1985 c 433 § 6.] Notes: Findings--Intent--Part headings--Effective dates -- 2005 c 319: See notes following RCW 43.17.020. Legislative finding--Effective dates -- 1999 c 94: See notes following RCW 43.84.092. Nonseverability -- 1985 c 433: See note following RCW 43.160.074. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.290 Environmental review of transportation projects. The legislature recognizes that environmental review of transportation projects is a continuous process that should begin at the earliest stages of planning and continue through final project construction. Early and extensive involvement of the relevant environmental regulatory authorities is critical in order to avoid significant changes in substantially completed project design and engineering. It is the expectation of the legislature that if a comprehensive environmental approach is integrated throughout various transportation processes, onerous, duplicative, and time-consuming permit processes will be minimized. [1994 c 258 § 3; 1993 c 55 § 1.] Notes: Captions not law -- 1994 c 258: See note following RCW 36.70A.420. Statewide transportation planning: Chapter 47.06 RCW. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.300 Environmental review of transportation projects — Cooperation with other environmental regulatory authorities. The department shall, in cooperation with environmental regulatory authorities: (1) Identify and document environmental resources in the development of the statewide multimodal plan under RCW 47.06.040; (2) Allow for public comment regarding changes to the criteria used for prioritizing projects under chapter 47.05 RCW before final adoption of the changes by the commission; (3) Use an environmental review as part of the project prospectus identifying potential environmental impacts, mitigation, and costs during the early project identification and selection phase, submit the prospectus to the relevant environmental regulatory authorities, and maintain a record of comments and proposed revisions received from the authorities; (4) Actively work with the relevant environmental regulatory authorities during the design alternative analysis process and seek written concurrence from the authorities that they agree with the preferred design alternative selected; (5) Develop a uniform methodology, in consultation with relevant environmental regulatory authorities, for submitting plans and specifications detailing project elements that impact environmental resources, and proposed mitigation measures, to the relevant environmental regulatory authorities during the preliminary specifications and engineering phase of project development; (6) Screen construction projects to determine which projects will require complex or multiple permits. The permitting authorities shall develop methods for initiating review of the permit applications for the projects before the final design of the projects; (7) Conduct special prebid meetings for those projects that are environmentally complex; and (8) Review environmental considerations related to particular projects during the preconstruction meeting held with the contractor who is awarded the bid. [1994 c 258 § 4.] Notes: Captions not law -- 1994 c 258: See note following RCW 36.70A.420. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.310 Washington fruit express account. The Washington fruit express account is created in the state treasury. All receipts from the operations of the Washington fruit express program must be deposited into the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only for the operations of the Washington fruit express program and for east-west passenger rail. [2001 2nd sp.s. c 14 § 606.] Notes: Severability -- Effective date -- 2001 2nd sp.s. c 14: See notes following RCW 47.04.210. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.321 Skills bank — Report. The department of transportation shall work with local transportation jurisdictions and representatives of transportation labor groups to establish a human resources skills bank of transportation professionals. The skills bank must be designed to allow all transportation authorities to draw from it when needed. The department shall issue a report of findings and recommendations to the transportation committees of the legislature by December 1, 2003. The report must include, but not be limited to, identification of any statutory or administrative rule changes necessary to create the skills bank and allow it to function in the manner described. [2003 c 363 § 203.] Notes: Findings -- Intent -- 2003 c 363 §§ 201-206: See note following RCW 49.04.041. Part headings not law -- Severability -- 2003 c 363: See notes following RCW 47.28.241. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.330 Office of transit mobility. (1) The secretary shall establish an office of transit mobility. The purpose of the office is to facilitate 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; (c) Encouraging long-range transit planning; (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. (5) The office of transit mobility must report quarterly to the secretary, and annually to the transportation committees of the legislature, on the progress of the office in meeting the goals and duties provided in this section. [2005 c 318 § 2.] Notes: Findings -- Intent--2005 c 318: "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." [2005 c 318 § 1.] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 47.01.340 Local and regional transportation goals. 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, and47.80.023 , to provide for the efficient integration of multimodal and multijurisdictional transportation planning. [2005 c 318 § 3.] Notes: Findings--Intent -- 2005 c 318: See note following RCW 47.01.330.