RCW 43.59.190: Washington state commercial truck safety and education council.

(1) The Washington state commercial truck safety and education council is established in the Washington traffic safety commission to recommend programs and projects that improve the safety of the commercial truck industry through cooperative public-private programs that focus on examining crash trends and evidence-based best practices in driver education, improved regulatory compliance, industry training, and educational programs. The council shall consist of the following members, appointed by the commission:

(a) The chief of the Washington state patrol, or the chief's designee;

(b) The director of the department of licensing, or the director's designee;

(c) The secretary of the department of transportation, or the secretary's designee;

(d) The executive director of the Washington trucking associations or the executive director's designee;

(e) The director of the Washington traffic safety commission, or the director's designee;

(f) The executive director of the Washington state board for community and technical colleges, or the executive director's designee;

(g) One member of the general public;

(h) Three members from a trucking industry association or associations as representatives of the trucking industry, with consideration given to a list of six nominees representative of the trucking industry submitted by the Washington trucking association;

(i) The executive director of the workforce training and education coordination board, or the executive director's designee;

(j) One member from a labor organization recommended by the Washington state labor council.

(2) In addition, the council may, where feasible, consult with other governmental entities or individuals from the public and private sector who have a unique interest or expertise in commercial vehicle safety, training, and efficient operations.

(3) The Washington state commercial truck safety and education council must meet at least quarterly. The council shall initially convene at the call of the director of the Washington traffic safety commission, or the director's designee, no later than the third Monday in January 2027. Subsequent meetings of the council shall be at the call of the chair or seven members. The council shall adopt a charter that includes, but is not limited to, rules governing the election of a chair and other officers, as well as term lengths.

(4)(a) The Washington state commercial truck safety and education council may:

(i) Recommend programs and projects that carry out the purpose of the council including, but not limited to, enhancing safety and training, providing for research and development, and educating the public;

(ii) Request the authorization of payment of council costs with funds designated for this use under RCW 46.17.315(2);

(iii) Coordinate council activities with industry associations, and others as appropriate, to provide efficient delivery of services for authorized programs and projects and to avoid unnecessary duplication of efforts and activities;

(iv) Recommend procurements for contracts with any public or private partnership, association, corporation, or other legal or commercial entity, to carry out the purpose of the council;

(v) Recommend the commission apply for, receive, and accept grants, loans, advances, and contributions from any source of money, property, labor, or other things of value, to be held, used, and applied for the council's purposes; and

(vi) Recommend grants targeted at improving commercial motor vehicle safety and training.

(b) Commission costs associated with support of the council are to be reimbursed from the commercial truck safety and education account created in RCW 46.68.550.

(5) Beginning December 31, 2027, the council shall annually report its activities, findings, and recommendations during the preceding year to the transportation committees of the legislature by December 31st.

(6) The council may solicit and accept gifts, grants, bequests, devises, or other funds from public and private sources to support its activities.

(7) Members of the Washington state commercial truck safety and education council who are not public employees shall be compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.220 and shall be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in carrying out the duties of the council in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.