(1) Each jurisdiction implementing a commute trip reduction plan under this chapter or as part of a plan or ordinance developed under RCW
36.70A.070 shall review each employer's initial commute trip reduction program to determine if the program is likely to meet the applicable commute trip reduction goals. The employer shall be notified by the jurisdiction of its findings. If the jurisdiction finds that the program is not likely to meet the applicable commute trip reduction goals, the jurisdiction will work with the employer to modify the program as necessary. The jurisdiction shall complete review of each employer's initial commute trip reduction program within ninety days of receipt.
(2) Employers implementing commute trip reduction programs are expected to undertake good faith efforts to achieve the goals outlined in RCW
70A.15.4020(4). Employers are considered to be making a good faith effort if the following conditions have been met:
(a) The employer has met the minimum requirements identified in RCW
70A.15.4040;
(b) The employer has notified the jurisdiction of its intent to substantially change or modify its program and has either received the approval of the jurisdiction to do so or has acknowledged that its program may not be approved without additional modifications;
(c) The employer has provided adequate information and documentation of implementation when requested by the jurisdiction; and
(d) The employer is working collaboratively with its jurisdiction to continue its existing program or is developing and implementing program modifications likely to result in improvements to the program over an agreed upon length of time.
(3) Each jurisdiction shall review at least once every two years each employer's progress and good faith efforts toward meeting the applicable commute trip reduction goals. If an employer makes a good faith effort, as defined in this section, but is not likely to meet the applicable commute trip reduction goals, the jurisdiction shall work collaboratively with the employer to make modifications to the commute trip reduction program. Failure of an employer to reach the applicable commute trip reduction goals is not a violation of this chapter.
(4) If an employer fails to make a good faith effort and fails to meet the applicable commute trip reduction goals, the jurisdiction shall work collaboratively with the employer to propose modifications to the program and shall direct the employer to revise its program within thirty days to incorporate those modifications or modifications which the jurisdiction determines to be equivalent.
(5) Each jurisdiction implementing a commute trip reduction plan pursuant to this chapter may impose civil penalties, in the manner provided in chapter
7.80 RCW, for failure by an employer to implement a commute trip reduction program or to modify its commute trip reduction program as required in subsection (4) of this section. No major employer may be held liable for civil penalties for failure to reach the applicable commute trip reduction goals. No major employer shall be liable for civil penalties under this chapter if failure to achieve a commute trip reduction program goal was the result of an inability to reach agreement with a certified collective bargaining agent under applicable laws where the issue was raised by the employer and pursued in good faith.
(6) Jurisdictions shall notify major employers of the procedures for applying for goal modification or exemption from the commute trip reduction requirements based on the guidelines established by the commute trip reduction board authorized under RCW
70A.15.4060.
