To modify provisions relating to the time period for preparation of six-year transit development plans and annual reports on the status of the state's public transportation systems. Requires new state facilities to be sited in areas adequately accessible by transit service. Provides that it is the intent of the legislature that the department of transportation not charge state agencies airspace leases for the use of highway right-of-way for transit facilities. (Companion: SB 5796).   Official Text and Analysis.

Requires the Secretary of the WSDOT to designate an employee in each region who would be responsible for integrating public transportation planning into state transportation activities and fostering greater partnerships between the state and public transportation service providers. The WSDOT is also required to include a section in its biennial report to the Governor and the Transportation committees of the Legislature regarding the integration of public transportation planning into state transportation activities and the fostering of greater partnerships between the state and public transportation service providers. The Office of Financial Management is directed to establish objectives and performance measures regarding public transportation and report on progress towards achieving them in its biennial attainment report. The definition of passenger intermodal facilities, in the list of transportation facilities and services of statewide significance, is modified to include park and ride lots and transit centers.

To require the Office of Financial Management to collaborate with the Washington State Department of Transportation and other state and local agencies with public transportationrelated responsibilities to establish objectives and performance measures for public transportation system performance.

To add the Transportation Choices Coalition, the Association of Washington Business, and the National Federation of Independent Business to the entities that collaborate with the Office of Financial Management to establish objectives and performance measures for public transportation system performance.

To remove the addition of park and ride lots and transit centers to the types of transportation facilities that are found to be of statewide significance.

To modify the due dates, and in some cases the subject matter, for various reports regarding public transportation systems. Requires that new state facilities be sited in areas adequately accessible by transit service.

To change the requirement that all new state facilities be sited in areas adequately accessible by transit service to the requirement that new state facilities in a jurisdiction with transit service can only be sited after consulting with the transit agency to ensure that the new facility is adequately accessible by transit service. Removes the intent language that directs WSDOT not to charge transit agencies for the use of state right-of-way and the definition of major passenger intermodal terminals expansion to include park and ride lots and transit centers.

Requires the Secretary of the WSDOT to designate an employee in each region who would be responsible for integrating public transportation planning into state transportation activities and fostering greater partnerships between the state and public transportation service providers. The WSDOT is also required to include a section in its biennial report to the Governor and the Transportation committees of the Legislature regarding the integration of public transportation planning into state transportation activities and the fostering of greater partnerships between the state and public transportation service providers. The Office of Financial Management, together with WSDOT, is directed to establish objectives and performance measures regarding public transportation and report on progress towards achieving them in its biennial attainment report. The definition of passenger intermodal facilities, in the list of transportation facilities and services of statewide significance, is modified to include park and ride lots and transit centers.

House concurred with the Senate amendments. This bill requires the Secretary of the WSDOT to designate an employee in each region who would be responsible for integrating public transportation planning into state transportation activities and fostering greater partnerships between the state and public transportation service providers. The WSDOT is also required to include a section in its biennial report to the Governor and the Transportation committees of the Legislature regarding the integration of public transportation planning into state transportation activities and the fostering of greater partnerships between the state and public transportation service providers. The Office of Financial Management, together with WSDOT, is directed to establish objectives and performance measures regarding public transportation and report on progress towards achieving them in its biennial attainment report. The definition of passenger intermodal facilities, in the list of transportation facilities and services of statewide significance, is modified to include park and ride lots and transit centers.