(1) The department of transportation shall work with
representatives of transportation labor groups to develop a
financial incentive program to aid in retention and recruitment
of employee classifications where problems exist and program
delivery is negatively affected. The department's financial
incentive program must be reviewed and approved by the
legislature before it can be implemented. This program must
support the goal of enhancing project delivery timelines as
outlined in section 101, chapter 363, Laws of 2003. Upon
receiving approval from the legislature, the department of
personnel shall implement, as required, specific aspects of the
financial incentive package, as developed by the department of
transportation.
(2) Notwithstanding chapter 41.06 RCW, the department of
transportation may acquire services from qualified private firms
in order to deliver the transportation construction program to
the public. Services may be acquired solely for augmenting the
department's workforce capacity and only when the department's
transportation construction program cannot be delivered through
its existing or readily available workforce. The department of
transportation shall work with representatives of transportation
labor groups to develop and implement a program identifying those
projects requiring contracted services while establishing a
program as defined in subsection (1) of this section to provide
the classified personnel necessary to deliver future construction
programs. The procedures for acquiring construction engineering
services from private firms may not be used to displace existing
state employees nor diminish the number of existing classified
positions in the present construction program. The acquisition
procedures must be in accordance with chapter 39.80 RCW.
(3) Starting in December 2004, and biennially thereafter,
the secretary shall report to the transportation committees of
the legislature on the use of construction engineering services
from private firms authorized under this section. The
information provided to the committees must include an assessment
of the benefits and costs associated with using construction
engineering services, or other services, from private firms, and
a comparison of public versus private sector costs. The
secretary may act on these findings to ensure the most
cost-effective means of service delivery.
[2003 c 363 § 103.]
NOTES:
Finding -- Intent -- 2003 c 363 §§ 103 and 104: "The legislature finds that there is a pressing need for additional transportation projects to meet the mobility needs of Washington's citizens. With major new investments approved to meet these pressing needs, additional workforce assistance is necessary to ensure and enhance project delivery timelines. Recruiting and retaining a high quality workforce, and implementing new and innovative procedures for delivering these transportation projects, is required to accomplish them on a timely basis that best serves the public. It is the intent of sections 103 and 104 of this act that no state employees will lose their employment as a result of implementing new and innovative project delivery procedures." [2003 c 363 § 101.]
Part headings not law -- Severability -- 2003 c 363: See notes following RCW 47.28.241.