28-6313

28-6313. Performance audits of proposed
transportation projects and systems

A. Beginning in 2010 and every fifth year thereafter, the auditor general shall
contract with a nationally recognized independent auditor with expertise in evaluating
multimodal transportation systems and in regional transportation planning to conduct a
performance audit, as defined in section 41-1278, of the regional transportation plan and
projects scheduled for funding during the next five years.

B. With respect to light rail systems, the audit shall consider the criteria used
by the federal transit administration pursuant to 49 United States Code section
5309(e)(1)(B) and the interrelationship among the criteria to provide federal funding for
light rail systems. For light rail systems, the audit shall also consider:

1. Service levels.

2. Capital costs.

3. Operation and maintenance costs.

4. Transit ridership.

5. Farebox revenues.

C. The audit shall:

1. Examine the regional transportation plan and projects scheduled for funding
within each transportation mode based on the performance factors established in section
28-505, subsection A, in the context of the transportation system.

2. Review past expenditures of the regional transportation plan and examine the
performance of the system in relieving congestion and improving mobility.

3. Make recommendations regarding whether further implementation of a project or
transportation system is warranted, warranted with modifications or not warranted.

D. The auditor general or the auditors contracted to conduct the audit shall
periodically update the transportation policy committee regarding the progress of the
audit.

E. Within forty-five days after the release of the audit, the regional public
transportation authority, the citizens transportation oversight committee, the state
transportation board and the county board of supervisors, by a majority vote of each
entity, shall submit written recommendations to the transportation policy committee that
the findings are agreed to or disagreed with and the recommendations should be
implemented, implemented with modification or not be implemented.

F. Within forty-five days after the audit's release, the regional planning agency
shall hold a public hearing on the audit findings and recommendations.

G. The auditor general shall distribute copies of the audit to:

1. The regional planning agency.

2. The transportation policy committee.

3. The citizens transportation oversight committee.

4. The regional public transportation authority in the county.

5. The county board of supervisors.

6. The state transportation board.

7. The governor, secretary of state, president of the senate and speaker of the
house of representatives.

8. The Arizona state library, archives and public records.

9. Any other person who requests a copy pursuant to title 39, article 2.

H. The state transportation board, regional planning agency, regional public
transportation authority and county board of supervisors shall cooperate with and submit
to the auditor general and the auditors contracted to conduct the audit information
necessary to conduct the audits under this section.

I. The cost incurred by the auditor general in contracting with independent
auditors for conducting performance audits under subsection A of this section shall be
paid from revenues of the county transportation excise tax under section 42-6105. When
due, the payments have priority over any other distribution authorized by section
42-6105. The auditor general shall deposit the payments in the audit services revolving
fund established by section 41-1279.06.