| Washington State House of Representatives |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Transportation Committee | |
HB 3068
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.
Brief Description: Establishing high-capacity transportation corridor areas.
Sponsors: Representatives Clibborn, Fromhold, Moeller, Appleton, Roberts and Wood.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/4/08
Staff: Kathryn Leathers (786-7114).
Background:
In the central Puget Sound region, high capacity transportation (HCT) systems may be
established and financed by a regional transit authority or a regional transportation investment
district. Outside of the central Puget Sound region, the HCT systems may be established only in
Clark, Spokane, Thurston, Whatcom, and Yakima counties, by city-owned transits, county
transportation authorities, metropolitan municipal corporations, and public transportation benefit
areas.
High capacity transportation service means a system of public transportation services within an
urbanized region operating principally on exclusive rights of way, and the supporting services
and facilities necessary to implement the system, including interim express services and high
occupancy vehicle lanes, which, taken as a whole, provides a substantially higher level of
passenger capacity, speed, and service frequency than traditional public transportation systems
operating principally in general purpose roadways.
Summary of Bill:
Certain transit agencies are authorized to create one or more special purpose districts (subdistrict)
within their existing boundaries for the purpose of establishing, financing, and operating high
capacity transportation (HCT) services.
The transit agencies authorized to create one or more subdistricts include city-owned transits,
county transportation authorities, metropolitan municipal corporations, and public transportation
benefit areas established in Clark, Kitsap, Spokane, Thurston, Whatcom, and Yakima counties.
Creation of a HCT subdistrict is prohibited in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. The
boundaries of a HCT subdistrict may include all or a portion of the boundaries of the transit
agency, and may include all or a portion of a town or city within the transit agency's boundaries.
A HCT subdistrict is governed by the existing governing body of the transit agency authorized to
create the subdistrict. A HCT subdistrict possesses the same taxing authority as is available to
any agency authorized to establish and finance a HCT system, and includes: (a) an employee tax
of up to $2 per month per employee; (b) rental car sales and use tax not to exceed 2.172 percent;
and (c) sales and use tax not to exceed 0.9 percent. Taxes imposed for HCT purposes are in
addition to taxes permitted to be imposed by a transit agency for other public transportation
purposes. If multiple HCT subdistricts are created in a single area, only one full set of HCT taxes
may be imposed in a single district. All taxes require voter approval.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.