SENATE BILL REPORT
ESSB 6774
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 Amended by House, March 5, 2010
Title: An act relating to transportation benefit districts.
Brief Description: Concerning transportation benefit districts.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senator Marr).
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/01/10, 2/03/10 [DPS, w/oRec].
Passed Senate: 2/10/10, 49-0.Passed House: 3/05/10, 55-43.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION |
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6774 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Marr, Vice Chair; Swecker, Ranking Minority Member; Becker, Berkey, Delvin, Eide, Hatfield, Jacobsen, Kauffman, Kilmer, King and Sheldon.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.
Signed by Senator Benton.
Staff: Kelly Simpson (786-7403)
Background: A transportation benefit district (TBD) is a quasi-municipal corporation and independent taxing authority that may be established by a county or city for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving, providing, and funding transportation improvements within the district. Various revenue options are available to a TBD in order to finance the improvements, most of which are subject to voter approval.
A TBD is governed by the legislative authority of the jurisdiction proposing to create it, or by a governance structure prescribed in an interlocal agreement among multiple jurisdictions. If a TBD includes an area within more than one jurisdiction, the governing body must have at least five members, including at least one elected official from each of the participating jurisdictions. Port districts and transit districts may participate in the establishment of a TBD but may not initiate TBD formation.
Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill: An alternative governance structure is provided for a TBD that includes an area within more than one jurisdiction. A multi-jurisdiction TBD may be governed by the governing body of the metropolitan planning organization serving the district, but only if the TBD and MPO boundaries are identical.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Proposed Substitute As Heard in Committee: PRO: Various regions around the state, including the Spokane region, are becoming increasingly interested in creating a TBD to fund transportation improvements within their region. The current law regarding multi-jurisdiction TBD governance structures may be problematic for certain regions, particularly rural areas of the state. This bill simplifies the governance structure of TBDs that include multiple local jurisdictions within the TBD area.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Marr, prime sponsor; Mike Burgess, Spokane County
House Amendment(s):
Establishes that only elected members of the governing body of a metropolitan planning organization that governs a transportation benefit district may determine whether the district will impose or seek voter approval of any authorized taxes, charges, or fees.
Temporarily authorizes certain public transportation benefit areas (PTBA) to establish a transportation benefit district (TBD) within the full boundaries of the PTBA.
Establishes that any taxes, charges, or fees imposed by a TBD that is formed by a PTBA may not be imposed or collected after June 30, 2015, and that the TBD must cease to exist no later than July 31, 2015.
Establishes that an authorized PTBA may form a TBD by majority vote of the governing body of the PTBA, without obtaining agreement by jurisdictions having territory within the boundaries of the PTBA.
Makes technical changes to the TBD statute to remove expired language.