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The Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority's (WMATA) Board Governance Committee has agreed to a work plan that will evaluate and recommend possible improvements to the system’s governance. The plan addresses key governance topics that would be addressed during the next four months.

The committee, which voted to send the plan to the full board for approval on Thursday, believes the plan will enable the board to "more clearly define our functions as a policy-focused governing body," said Mary Hynes, governance committee chair, in a prepared statement.

If approved, the plan would:

• modernize board leadership, such as the board chair's and members' roles and responsibilities, chair's term length and creation of board bylaws;

• strengthen the governing structure, such as examining the alternate members' roles, review board procedures and ensure an effective framework for governing;

• improve the working relationship between the board and the chief executive officer/general manager;

• enhance internal board management; and

• strengthen public communication.

The committee's work comes at an especially important time for WMATA as the agency faces the threat of reduced federal funding, said WMATA Chairwoman Catherine Hudgins.