HOUSE BILL REPORT
EHB 1139
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Passed House:
February 5, 2010
Title: An act relating to increasing the membership of public transportation benefit area authorities.
Brief Description: Increasing the authority membership of certain single county public transportation benefit areas.
Sponsors: Representative Liias.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Transportation: 1/20/09, 1/22/09 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/23/09, 96-1.
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/5/10, 96-1.
Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 25 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Liias, Vice Chair; Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Rodne, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Armstrong, Campbell, Driscoll, Eddy, Ericksen, Finn, Flannigan, Herrera, Johnson, Klippert, Moeller, Morris, Rolfes, Sells, Shea, Simpson, Springer, Takko, Upthegrove, Wallace and Wood.
Staff: Kathryn Leathers (786-7114).
Background:
A public transportation benefit area (PTBA) is a special purpose district authorized to provide public transportation service within all or a portion of a county or counties. Generally speaking, "public transportation service" means the transportation of packages, passengers, and their incidental baggage by means other than by chartered bus or sight-seeing bus, together with the terminals and parking facilities necessary for passenger and vehicular access to and from such systems. It also means passenger-only ferry service for those PTBAs eligible to provide passenger-only ferry service. A PTBA is created through a conference process attended by elected representatives selected by the legislative body of each city within the boundaries of the PTBA as well as the county legislative authority or authorities. Within 60 days of establishment, the county legislative body or bodies provide for the selection of a governing body of not more than nine elected officials (or, in the case of a multi-county PTBA, not more than 15 members) selected by and serving at the pleasure of the governments of the cities and counties in the PTBA. Cities within the PTBA that are excluded from direct membership on the authority are permitted to designate a member of the PTBA who is entitled to represent the interests of those cities. After a PTBA has been in existence for four years, members of the county legislative authority and the elected representative of each component city must review the composition of the governing body and make any changes deemed appropriate. In addition to the governing body review required every four years, if an area or areas that meet certain threshold population requirements are annexed to the PTBA, the representatives of the component county and cities must meet to review the composition of the governing body and make changes if deemed necessary. The threshold population requirements include annexing an area having a population greater than 15 percent, or areas with a combined population of greater than 25 percent, of the PTBA's population as of the most recent governing body review meeting.
Summary of Engrossed Bill:
Membership in the governing body of a single-county PTBA with boundaries that encompass a population greater than 500,000 is increased from not more than nine to not more than 11.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) The increase in governing body membership is not mandatory. The bill provides an opportunity for public transportation benefit areas with growing cities to provide for more and better representation.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Liias, prime sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.