(1) The department shall establish an expert review panel to review, analyze, and make recommendations to the governor and the transportation commission on whether to approve, reject, or continue negotiations on a proposed project agreement under this chapter. The department shall provide staff to support the expert review panel, if requested by the panel. The expert review panel may utilize any of the consultants under contract for the department, and the expert review panel may contract for consulting expertise in specific areas as it deems necessary to ensure a thorough and critical review of any proposed project agreement.

(2) The governor shall appoint members of an expert review panel that have experience in large capital project delivery, public-private partnerships, public financing of infrastructure improvements, or other areas of expertise that will benefit the panel. The panel shall consist of no less than three, but no more than five members, as determined by the governor.

Effective date—2006 c 334: See note following RCW 47.01.051.