(1) The cross-state trail account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. Eleven million five hundred thousand dollars is provided to the state parks and recreation commission to acquire, construct, and maintain a cross-state trail. This amount may consist of: (a) Legislative appropriations intended for trail development; (b) payments for the purchase of federally granted trust lands; and (c) franchise fees derived from use of the rail corridor. The legislature intends that any amounts provided from the transportation fund are to be repaid to the transportation fund from franchise fees.

(2) The department shall deposit franchise fees from use of the rail corridor according to the following priority: (a) To the department of transportation for actual costs incurred in administering the franchise; (b) to the department of natural resources as compensation for use of federally granted trust lands in the rail corridor; (c) to the transportation fund to reimburse any amounts transferred or appropriated from that fund by the legislature for trail development; (d) to the cross-state trail account, not to exceed eleven million five hundred thousand dollars, provided that this amount shall be reduced proportionate with any funds transferred or appropriated by the 1996 legislature or paid from franchise fees for the purchase of federally granted trust lands or for trail development; and (e) the remainder to the essential rail assistance account, created under RCW 47.76.250. Expenditures from the cross-state trail account may be used only for the acquisition, development, operation, and maintenance of the cross-state trail. Only the director of the state parks and recreation commission or the director's designee may authorize expenditures from the account. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for expenditures.

(3) The commission may acquire land from willing sellers for the cross-state trail, but not by eminent domain.

(4) The commission shall adopt rules describing the cross-state trail.

Effective date—2009 c 338: See note following RCW 79A.05.115.

Effective date—1999 c 301: See note following RCW 79A.05.115.

Intent—Effective date—Severability—1996 c 129: See notes following RCW 79A.05.115.