Chapter 319, Laws of 2005, Partial Veto (ESB 5513)-Transportation Governance The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is now directly answerable to an elected official. The governor appoints the secretary of transportation, subject to Senate confirmation. The secretary serves at the pleasure of the governor.
The Transportation Performance Audit Board (TPAB) is moved out of the legislative environment and under the Transportation Commission. The Transportation Commission is no longer directly responsible for oversight of the Department of Transportation. TPAB will establish benchmarks and milestones for monitoring and evaluating the department's efforts in implementing the construction projects designated in the 2005-07 biennium transportation budget project list.
Chapter 314, Laws of 2005 (ESSB 6103)-Transportation Funding
The state auditor is authorized to conduct performance audits on state transportation agencies, including WSDOT, the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB), the County Road Administration Board (CRAB), and the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. The state auditor becomes a member of TPAB. The sum of $4 million is appropriated to cover the costs of the performance audits for the 2005-07 biennium. If the State Auditor's financial audit indicates that a performance audit is warranted, the TPAB must include this performance audit in its annual work plan.
Chapter 313, Laws of 2005, Partial Veto (ESSB 6091)-2005-2007 Transportation Budget Strict project appropriations ensure that the projects funded in the budget are the projects that are built. Project changes must be approved by the Legislature.