S-0873.1  _______________________________________________

 

                         SENATE BILL 5615

          _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

 

By Senators Horn, Goings, Benton, Gardner, Sellar and Finkbeiner; by request of Legislative Transportation Committee

 

Read first time 01/29/1999.  Referred to Committee on Transportation.

Deleting reference to obsolete transportation accounts.


    AN ACT Relating to obsolete transportation accounts and funds; amending RCW 43.84.092, 43.84.092, 43.160.010, 46.68.095, 46.68.100, 46.68.110, 47.01.280, 47.02.130, 47.02.150, 47.10.801, 47.10.803, 47.12.125, 47.26.080, 47.26.084, 47.26.140, 47.26.425, 47.26.4252, 47.26.4254, 47.26.505, 47.56.772, 47.60.150, 47.60.326, 47.60.440, 82.36.025, 82.44.150, and 82.44.180; reenacting and amending RCW 46.68.090; creating a new section; repealing RCW 46.68.180, 46.68.190, 46.68.200, 47.02.180, 47.13.010, 47.13.020, 47.13.030, 47.13.040, 47.13.900, and 47.56.775; providing effective dates; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that a periodic review of the accounts and their uses is necessary.  While creating new accounts may facilitate the implementation of legislative intent, the creation of too many accounts limits the effectiveness of performance-based budgeting.  Too many accounts also limit the flexibility of the legislature to address emerging and changing issues in addition to creating administrative burdens for the responsible agencies.  Accounts created for specific purposes may no longer be valid or needed.  Accordingly, this act eliminates accounts that are not in use or are unneeded and consolidates accounts that are similar in nature.

 

    Sec. 2.  RCW 43.84.092 and 1997 c 218 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) All earnings of investments of surplus balances in the state treasury shall be deposited to the treasury income account, which account is hereby established in the state treasury.

    (2) The treasury income account shall be utilized to pay or receive funds associated with federal programs as required by the federal cash management improvement act of 1990.  The treasury income account is subject in all respects to chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for refunds or allocations of interest earnings required by the cash management improvement act.  Refunds of interest to the federal treasury required under the cash management improvement act fall under RCW 43.88.180 and shall not require appropriation.  The office of financial management shall determine the amounts due to or from the federal government pursuant to the cash management improvement act.  The office of financial management may direct transfers of funds between accounts as deemed necessary to implement the provisions of the cash management improvement act, and this subsection.  Refunds or allocations shall occur prior to the distributions of earnings set forth in subsection (4) of this section.

    (3) Except for the provisions of RCW 43.84.160, the treasury income account may be utilized for the payment of purchased banking services on behalf of treasury funds including, but not limited to, depository, safekeeping, and disbursement functions for the state treasury and affected state agencies.  The treasury income account is subject in all respects to chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for payments to financial institutions.  Payments shall occur prior to distribution of earnings set forth in subsection (4) of this section.

    (4) Monthly, the state treasurer shall distribute the earnings credited to the treasury income account.  The state treasurer shall credit the general fund with all the earnings credited to the treasury income account except:

    (a) The following accounts and funds shall receive their proportionate share of earnings based upon each account's and fund's average daily balance for the period:  The capitol building construction account, the Cedar River channel construction and operation account, the Central Washington University capital projects account, the charitable, educational, penal and reformatory institutions account, the common school construction fund, the county criminal justice assistance account, the county sales and use tax equalization account, the data processing building construction account, the deferred compensation administrative account, the deferred compensation principal account, the department of retirement systems expense account, the drinking water assistance account, the Eastern Washington University capital projects account, the education construction fund, the emergency reserve fund, the federal forest revolving account, the health services account, the public health services account, the health system capacity account, the personal health services account, the highway infrastructure account, the industrial insurance premium refund account, the judges' retirement account, the judicial retirement administrative account, the judicial retirement principal account, the local leasehold excise tax account, the local real estate excise tax account, the local sales and use tax account, the medical aid account, the mobile home park relocation fund, the municipal criminal justice assistance account, the municipal sales and use tax equalization account, the natural resources deposit account, the perpetual surveillance and maintenance account, the public employees' retirement system plan I account, the public employees' retirement system plan II account, the Puyallup tribal settlement account, the resource management cost account, the site closure account, the special wildlife account, the state employees' insurance account, the state employees' insurance reserve account, the state investment board expense account, the state investment board commingled trust fund accounts, the supplemental pension account, the teachers' retirement system plan I account, the teachers' retirement system plan II account, the transportation infrastructure account, the tuition recovery trust fund, the University of Washington bond retirement fund, the University of Washington building account, the volunteer fire fighters' relief and pension principal account, the volunteer fire fighters' relief and pension administrative account, the Washington judicial retirement system account, the Washington law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' system plan I retirement account, the Washington law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' system plan II retirement account, the Washington state patrol retirement account, the Washington State University building account, the Washington State University bond retirement fund, the water pollution control revolving fund, and the Western Washington University capital projects account.  Earnings derived from investing balances of the agricultural permanent fund, the normal school permanent fund, the permanent common school fund, the scientific permanent fund, and the state university permanent fund shall be allocated to their respective beneficiary accounts.  All earnings to be distributed under this subsection (4)(a) shall first be reduced by the allocation to the state treasurer's service fund pursuant to RCW 43.08.190.

    (b) The following accounts and funds shall receive eighty percent of their proportionate share of earnings based upon each account's or fund's average daily balance for the period:  The aeronautics account, the aircraft search and rescue account, ((the central Puget Sound public transportation account, the city hardship assistance account,)) the county arterial preservation account, the department of licensing services account, ((the economic development account,)) the essential rail assistance account, ((the essential rail banking account,)) the ferry bond retirement fund, ((the gasohol exemption holding account,)) the grade crossing protective fund, the high capacity transportation account, the highway bond retirement fund, ((the highway construction stabilization account,)) the highway safety account, the marine operating fund, the motor vehicle fund, the motorcycle safety education account, the pilotage account, the public transportation systems account, the Puget Sound capital construction account, the Puget Sound ferry operations account, the recreational vehicle account, the rural arterial trust account, the safety and education account, ((the small city account,)) the special category C account, the state patrol highway account, ((the transfer relief account,)) the transportation capital facilities account, the transportation equipment fund, the transportation fund, the transportation improvement account, ((the transportation revolving loan account,)) and the urban arterial trust account.

    (5) In conformance with Article II, section 37 of the state Constitution, no treasury accounts or funds shall be allocated earnings without the specific affirmative directive of this section.

 

    Sec. 3.  RCW 43.84.092 and 1998 c 341 s 708 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) All earnings of investments of surplus balances in the state treasury shall be deposited to the treasury income account, which account is hereby established in the state treasury.

    (2) The treasury income account shall be utilized to pay or receive funds associated with federal programs as required by the federal cash management improvement act of 1990.  The treasury income account is subject in all respects to chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for refunds or allocations of interest earnings required by the cash management improvement act.  Refunds of interest to the federal treasury required under the cash management improvement act fall under RCW 43.88.180 and shall not require appropriation.  The office of financial management shall determine the amounts due to or from the federal government pursuant to the cash management improvement act.  The office of financial management may direct transfers of funds between accounts as deemed necessary to implement the provisions of the cash management improvement act, and this subsection.  Refunds or allocations shall occur prior to the distributions of earnings set forth in subsection (4) of this section.

    (3) Except for the provisions of RCW 43.84.160, the treasury income account may be utilized for the payment of purchased banking services on behalf of treasury funds including, but not limited to, depository, safekeeping, and disbursement functions for the state treasury and affected state agencies.  The treasury income account is subject in all respects to chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for payments to financial institutions.  Payments shall occur prior to distribution of earnings set forth in subsection (4) of this section.

    (4) Monthly, the state treasurer shall distribute the earnings credited to the treasury income account.  The state treasurer shall credit the general fund with all the earnings credited to the treasury income account except:

    (a) The following accounts and funds shall receive their proportionate share of earnings based upon each account's and fund's average daily balance for the period:  The capitol building construction account, the Cedar River channel construction and operation account, the Central Washington University capital projects account, the charitable, educational, penal and reformatory institutions account, the common school construction fund, the county criminal justice assistance account, the county sales and use tax equalization account, the data processing building construction account, the deferred compensation administrative account, the deferred compensation principal account, the department of retirement systems expense account, the drinking water assistance account, the Eastern Washington University capital projects account, the education construction fund, the emergency reserve fund, the federal forest revolving account, the health services account, the public health services account, the health system capacity account, the personal health services account, the highway infrastructure account, the industrial insurance premium refund account, the judges' retirement account, the judicial retirement administrative account, the judicial retirement principal account, the local leasehold excise tax account, the local real estate excise tax account, the local sales and use tax account, the medical aid account, the mobile home park relocation fund, the municipal criminal justice assistance account, the municipal sales and use tax equalization account, the natural resources deposit account, the perpetual surveillance and maintenance account, the public employees' retirement system plan I account, the public employees' retirement system plan II account, the Puyallup tribal settlement account, the resource management cost account, the site closure account, the special wildlife account, the state employees' insurance account, the state employees' insurance reserve account, the state investment board expense account, the state investment board commingled trust fund accounts, the supplemental pension account, the teachers' retirement system plan I account, the teachers' retirement system combined plan II and plan III account, the transportation infrastructure account, the tuition recovery trust fund, the University of Washington bond retirement fund, the University of Washington building account, the volunteer fire fighters' relief and pension principal account, the volunteer fire fighters' relief and pension administrative account, the Washington judicial retirement system account, the Washington law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' system plan I retirement account, the Washington law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' system plan II retirement account, the Washington school employees' retirement system combined plan II and III account, the Washington state patrol retirement account, the Washington State University building account, the Washington State University bond retirement fund, the water pollution control revolving fund, and the Western Washington University capital projects account.  Earnings derived from investing balances of the agricultural permanent fund, the normal school permanent fund, the permanent common school fund, the scientific permanent fund, and the state university permanent fund shall be allocated to their respective beneficiary accounts.  All earnings to be distributed under this subsection (4)(a) shall first be reduced by the allocation to the state treasurer's service fund pursuant to RCW 43.08.190.

    (b) The following accounts and funds shall receive eighty percent of their proportionate share of earnings based upon each account's or fund's average daily balance for the period:  The aeronautics account, the aircraft search and rescue account, ((the central Puget Sound public transportation account, the city hardship assistance account,)) the county arterial preservation account, the department of licensing services account, ((the economic development account,)) the essential rail assistance account, ((the essential rail banking account,)) the ferry bond retirement fund, ((the gasohol exemption holding account,)) the grade crossing protective fund, the high capacity transportation account, the highway bond retirement fund, ((the highway construction stabilization account,)) the highway safety account, the marine operating fund, the motor vehicle fund, the motorcycle safety education account, the pilotage account, the public transportation systems account, the Puget Sound capital construction account, the Puget Sound ferry operations account, the recreational vehicle account, the rural arterial trust account, the safety and education account, ((the small city account,)) the special category C account, the state patrol highway account, ((the transfer relief account, the transportation capital facilities account,)) the transportation equipment fund, the transportation fund, the transportation improvement account, ((the transportation revolving loan account,)) and the urban arterial trust account.

    (5) In conformance with Article II, section 37 of the state Constitution, no treasury accounts or funds shall be allocated earnings without the specific affirmative directive of this section.

 

    Sec. 4.  RCW 43.160.010 and 1996 c 51 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) The legislature finds that it is the public policy of the state of Washington to direct financial resources toward the fostering of economic development through the stimulation of investment and job opportunities and the retention of sustainable existing employment for the general welfare of the inhabitants of the state.  Reducing unemployment and reducing the time citizens remain jobless is important for the economic welfare of the state.  A valuable means of fostering economic development is the construction of public facilities which contribute to the stability and growth of the state's economic base.  Strengthening the economic base through issuance of industrial development bonds, whether single or umbrella, further serves to reduce unemployment.  Consolidating issues of industrial development bonds when feasible to reduce costs additionally advances the state's purpose to improve economic vitality.  Expenditures made for these purposes as authorized in this chapter are declared to be in the public interest, and constitute a proper use of public funds.  A community economic revitalization board is needed which shall aid the development of economic opportunities.  The general objectives of the board should include:

    (a) Strengthening the economies of areas of the state which have experienced or are expected to experience chronically high unemployment rates or below average growth in their economies;

    (b) Encouraging the diversification of the economies of the state and regions within the state in order to provide greater seasonal and cyclical stability of income and employment;

    (c) Encouraging wider access to financial resources for both large and small industrial development projects;

    (d) Encouraging new economic development or expansions to maximize employment;

    (e) Encouraging the retention of viable existing firms and employment; and

    (f) Providing incentives for expansion of employment opportunities for groups of state residents that have been less successful relative to other groups in efforts to gain permanent employment.

    (2) The legislature also finds that the state's economic development efforts can be enhanced by, in certain instances, providing funds to improve state highways in the vicinity of new industries considering locating in this state or existing industries that are considering significant expansion.

    (a) The legislature finds it desirable to provide a process whereby the need for diverse public works improvements necessitated by planned economic development can be addressed in a timely fashion and with coordination among all responsible governmental entities.

    (b) ((It is the intent of the legislature to create an economic development account within the motor vehicle fund from which expenditures can be made by the department of transportation for state highway improvements necessitated by planned economic development.))  All ((such)) transportation improvements on state highways must first be approved by the state transportation commission and the community economic revitalization board in accordance with the procedures established by RCW 43.160.074 and 47.01.280.  ((It is further the intent of the legislature that such improvements not jeopardize any other planned highway construction projects.  The improvements are intended to be of limited size and cost, and to include such items as additional turn lanes, signalization, illumination, and safety improvements.))

    (3) The legislature also finds that the state's economic development efforts can be enhanced by providing funds to improve markets for those recyclable materials representing a large fraction of the waste stream.  The legislature finds that public facilities which result in private construction of processing or remanufacturing facilities for recyclable materials are eligible for consideration from the board.

    (4) The legislature finds that sharing economic growth state-wide is important to the welfare of the state.  Rural natural resource impact areas do not share in the economic vitality of the Puget Sound region.  Infrastructure is one of several ingredients that are critical for economic development.  Rural natural resource impact areas generally lack the infrastructure necessary to diversify and revitalize their economies.  It is, therefore, the intent of the legislature to increase the availability of funds to help provide infrastructure to rural natural resource impact areas.

 

    Sec. 5.  RCW 46.68.090 and 1994 c 225 s 2 and 1994 c 179 s 3 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

    (1) All moneys that have accrued or may accrue to the motor vehicle fund from the motor vehicle fuel tax and special fuel tax shall be first expended for the following purposes:

    (a) For payment of refunds of motor vehicle fuel tax and special fuel tax that has been paid and is refundable as provided by law;

    (b) For payment of amounts to be expended pursuant to appropriations for the administrative expenses of the offices of state treasurer, state auditor, and the department of licensing of the state of Washington in the administration of the motor vehicle fuel tax and the special fuel tax, which sums shall be distributed monthly;

    (c) ((From April 1, 1992, through March 31, 1996, for distribution to the transfer relief account, hereby created in the motor vehicle fund, an amount not to exceed three hundred twenty-five one-thousandths of one percent;

    (d))) For distribution to the rural arterial trust account in the motor vehicle fund, an amount as provided in RCW 82.36.025(2) and 46.68.095(3);

    (((e))) (d) For distribution to the urban arterial trust account in the motor vehicle fund, an amount as provided in RCW 46.68.100(4) and 82.36.025(3);

    (((f))) (e) For distribution to the transportation improvement account in the motor vehicle fund, an amount as provided in RCW 46.68.095(1);

    (((g))) (f) For distribution to the special category C account, hereby created in the motor vehicle fund, an amount as provided in RCW 46.68.095(2);

    (((h))) (g) For distribution to the county arterial preservation account, hereby created in the motor vehicle fund, an amount as provided in RCW 46.68.095(4);

    (((i))) (h) For distribution to the motor vehicle fund to be allocated to cities and towns as provided in RCW 46.68.110, an amount as provided in RCW 46.68.095(5);

    (((j))) (i) For distribution to the motor vehicle fund to be allocated to counties as provided in RCW 46.68.120, an amount as provided in RCW 46.68.095(6);

    (((k))) (j) For expenditure for highway purposes of the state as defined in RCW 46.68.130, an amount as provided in RCW 82.36.025(4) and 46.68.095(7)((;

    (l) From July 1, 1994, through June 30, 1995, for distribution to the gasohol exemption holding account, hereby created in the motor vehicle fund, an amount equal to five and thirty-four one-hundredths of one percent of the amount available prior to distributions provided under (a) through (k) of this subsection, to be used only for highway construction;

    (m) For distribution to the small city account, hereby created in the motor vehicle fund, an amount as provided for in RCW 46.68.095(1), 46.68.100(9), and 82.36.025(3))).

    (2) The amount accruing to the motor vehicle fund by virtue of the motor vehicle fuel tax and the special fuel tax and remaining after payments, distributions, and expenditures as provided in this section shall, for the purposes of this chapter, be referred to as the "net tax amount."

 

    Sec. 6.  RCW 46.68.095 and 1994 c 179 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

    All moneys that have accrued or may accrue to the motor vehicle fund from the motor vehicle fuel tax and special fuel tax imposed by RCW 82.36.025(5) shall be distributed monthly by the state treasurer in the following proportions:

    (1) ((Through June 30, 1995, one and one-half cents shall be deposited in the transportation improvement account and expended in accordance with RCW 47.26.084.  After June 30, 1995,)) Eighty-seven percent of one and one-half cents shall be deposited in the transportation improvement account ((and expended in accordance with RCW 47.26.086)) and thirteen percent of one and one-half cents shall be deposited in the ((small city)) urban arterial trust account and expended in accordance with RCW ((47.26.115)) 47.26.080.

    (2) From April 1, 1991, seventy-five one-hundredths of one cent shall be deposited in the special category C account in the motor vehicle fund for special category C projects.  Special category C projects are category C projects as defined in RCW 47.05.030(3) that, due to high cost only, will require bond financing to complete construction.

    The following criteria, listed in order of priority, shall be used in determining which special category C projects have the highest priority:

    (a) Accident experience; and

    (b) Fatal accident experience; and

    (c) Capacity to move people and goods safely and at reasonable speeds without undue congestion; and

    (d) Continuity of development of the highway transportation network.

    Moneys deposited in the special category C account in the motor vehicle fund may be used for payment of debt service on bonds the proceeds of which are used to finance special category C projects under this subsection.

    (3) Twenty-five one-hundredths of one cent shall be deposited in the rural arterial trust account in the motor vehicle fund.

    (4) Forty-five one-hundredths of one cent shall be deposited in the county arterial preservation account.  These funds shall be distributed by the county road administration board to counties in proportions corresponding to the number of paved arterial lane miles in the unincorporated area of each county and shall be used for improvements to sustain the structural, safety, and operational integrity of county arterials.  The county road administration board shall adopt reasonable rules and develop policies to implement this program and to assure that a pavement management system is used.

    (5) One-half of one cent shall be allocated to cities and towns as provided in RCW 46.68.110.

    (6) From April 1, 1990, through March 31, 1991, thirty one-hundredths of one cent and after March 31, 1991, fifty-five one-hundredths of one cent shall be allocated to counties as provided in RCW 46.68.120.

    (7) One cent shall be deposited in the motor vehicle fund and shall be expended for highway purposes of the state as defined in RCW 46.68.130.

 

    Sec. 7.  RCW 46.68.100 and 1994 c 179 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

    From the net tax amount in the motor vehicle fund there shall be paid monthly as funds accrue the following sums:

    (1) To the cities and towns, to be distributed as provided by RCW 46.68.110, sums equal to six and ninety-two hundredths percent of the net tax amount;

    (2) To the cities and towns, to be expended as provided by RCW 46.68.115, sums equal to four and sixty-one hundredths percent of the net tax amount;

    (3) To the counties, sums equal to twenty-two and seventy-eight hundredths percent of the net tax amount (a) out of which there shall be distributed from time to time, as directed by the department of transportation, those sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of RCW 47.56.725, and (b) less any amounts appropriated to the county road administration board to implement the provisions of RCW 47.56.725(4), with the balance of such county share to be distributed monthly as the same accrues for distribution in accordance with RCW 46.68.120;

    (4) To the urban arterial trust account in the motor vehicle fund, (((a) through June 30, 1995,)) sums equal to seven and twelve hundredths percent of the net tax amount((, (b) and after June 30, 1995, ninety-five percent of seven and twelve hundredths percent of the net tax amount));

    (5) To the state, to be expended as provided by RCW 46.68.130, sums equal to forty-five and twenty-six hundredths percent of the net tax amount;

    (6) To the state, to be expended as provided by RCW 46.68.150 as now or hereafter amended, sums equal to six and ninety-five hundredths percent of the net tax amount;

    (7) To the Puget Sound capital construction account in the motor vehicle fund sums equal to three and twenty-one hundredths percent of the net tax amount;

    (8) To the Puget Sound ferry operations account in the motor vehicle fund sums equal to three and fifteen hundredths percent of the net tax amount((;

    (9) After June 30, 1995, to the small city account in the motor vehicle fund, sums equal to five percent of seven and twelve hundredths percent of the net tax amount)).

    Nothing in this section or in RCW 46.68.090 or 46.68.130 may be construed so as to violate any terms or conditions contained in any highway construction bond issues now or hereafter authorized by statute and whose payment is by such statute pledged to be paid from any excise taxes on motor and special vehicle fuels.

 

    Sec. 8.  RCW 46.68.110 and 1996 c 94 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

    Funds credited to the incorporated cities and towns of the state as set forth in RCW 46.68.100(1) shall be subject to deduction and distribution as follows:

    (1) One and one-half percent of such sums shall be deducted monthly as such sums are credited and set aside for the use of the department of transportation for the supervision of work and expenditures of such incorporated cities and towns on the city and town streets thereof, including the supervision and administration of federal-aid programs for which the department of transportation has responsibility:  PROVIDED, That any moneys so retained and not expended shall be credited in the succeeding biennium to the incorporated cities and towns in proportion to deductions herein made;

    (2) Thirty-three one-hundredths of one percent of such funds shall be deducted monthly, as such funds accrue, and set aside for the use of the department of transportation for the purpose of funding the cities' share of the costs of highway jurisdiction studies and other studies.  Any funds so retained and not expended shall be credited in the succeeding biennium to the cities in proportion to the deductions made;

    (3) One percent of such funds shall be deducted monthly, as such funds accrue, to be deposited in the ((city hardship assistance)) urban arterial trust account((, hereby created)) in the motor vehicle fund, to implement the city hardship assistance program, as provided in RCW 47.26.164.  However, any moneys so retained and not required to carry out the program as of July 1, 1996, and July 1st of each odd-numbered year thereafter, shall be provided within sixty days to the treasurer and distributed in the manner prescribed in subsection (4) of this section;

    (4) The balance remaining to the credit of incorporated cities and towns after such deduction shall be apportioned monthly as such funds accrue among the several cities and towns within the state ratably on the basis of the population last determined by the office of financial management.

 

    Sec. 9.  RCW 47.01.280 and 1985 c 433 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) Upon receiving an application for improvements to an existing state highway or highways pursuant to RCW 43.160.074 from the community economic revitalization board, the transportation commission shall, in a timely manner, determine whether or not the proposed state highway improvements:

    (a) Meet the safety and design criteria of the department of transportation;

    (b) Will impair the operational integrity of the existing highway system;

    (c) Will affect any other improvements planned by the department; and

    (d) Will be consistent with its policies developed pursuant to RCW 47.01.071.

    (2) Upon completion of its determination of the factors contained in subsection (1) of this section and any other factors it deems pertinent, the transportation commission shall forward its approval, as submitted or amended or disapproval of the proposed improvements to the board, along with any recommendation it may wish to make concerning the desirability and feasibility of the proposed development.  If the transportation commission disapproves any proposed improvements, it shall specify its reasons for disapproval.

    (3) Upon notification from the board of an application's approval pursuant to RCW 43.160.074, the transportation commission shall direct the department of transportation to carry out the improvements in coordination with the applicant.

    (4) The transportation commission shall notify the legislative transportation committee of all state highway improvements to be carried out pursuant to RCW 43.160.074 and this section.

    (((5) All state highway improvements that are approved pursuant to RCW 43.160.074 and this section shall be charged to the economic development account of the motor vehicle fund created by RCW 47.10.803.))

 

    Sec. 10.  RCW 47.02.130 and 1990 c 293 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

    Authorized uses of proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized in RCW 47.02.120 through 47.02.190 include but are not limited to repayment to the motor vehicle fund ((for the loan from the motor vehicle fund to the transportation capital facilities account in the motor vehicle fund provided in the supplemental transportation budget)) for the initial financing of the headquarters facilities.

 

    Sec. 11.  RCW 47.02.150 and 1990 c 293 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

    The proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by RCW 47.02.120 through 47.02.190 shall be available only for the purposes enumerated in RCW 47.02.120 and 47.02.130; for the payment of bond anticipation notes, if any; and for the payment of bond issuance costs, including the costs of underwriting.  Proceeds ((required to repay the motor vehicle fund loan)) shall be deposited in the motor vehicle fund ((and remaining proceeds shall be deposited in the transportation capital facilities account)).

 

    Sec. 12.  RCW 47.10.801 and 1994 c 173 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) In order to provide funds necessary for the location, design, right of way, and construction of selected interstate and other state highway improvements, there shall be issued and sold, subject to subsections (2), (3), and (4) of this section, upon the request of the Washington state transportation commission a total of four hundred sixty million dollars of general obligation bonds of the state of Washington for the following purposes and specified sums:

    (a) Not to exceed two hundred twenty-five million dollars to pay the state's share of costs for federal-aid interstate highway improvements and until December 31, 1989, to temporarily pay the regular federal share of construction of federal-aid interstate highway improvements to complete state routes 82, 90, 182, and 705 in advance of federal-aid apportionments under the provisions of 23 U.S.C. Secs. 115 or 122:  PROVIDED, That the total amount of bonds issued to temporarily pay the regular federal share of construction of federal-aid interstate highways in advance of federal-aid apportionments as authorized by this section and RCW 47.10.790 shall not exceed one hundred twenty million dollars:  PROVIDED FURTHER, That the transportation commission shall consult with the legislative transportation committee prior to the adoption of plans for the obligation of federal-aid apportionments received in federal fiscal year 1985 and subsequent years to pay the regular federal share of federal-aid interstate highway construction projects or to convert such apportionments under the provisions of 23 U.S.C. Secs. 115 or 122;

    (b) Two hundred twenty-five million dollars for major transportation improvements throughout the state that are identified as category C improvements and for selected major non-interstate construction and reconstruction projects that are included as Category A Improvements in RCW 47.05.030;

    (c) Ten million dollars for state highway improvements necessitated by planned economic development, as determined through the procedures set forth in RCW 43.160.074 and 47.01.280.

    (2) The amount of bonds authorized in subsection (1)(a) of this section shall be reduced if the transportation commission, in consultation with the legislative transportation committee, determines that any of the bonds that have not been sold are no longer required.

    (3) The amount of bonds authorized in subsection (1)(b) of this section shall be increased by an amount not to exceed, and concurrent with, any reduction of bonds authorized under subsection (1)(a) of this section in the manner prescribed in subsection (2) of this section.

    (4) The transportation commission may decrease the amount of bonds authorized in subsection (1)(c) of this section and increase the amount of bonds authorized in subsection (1)(a) or (b) of this section, or both by an amount equal to the decrease in subsection (1)(c) of this section.  The transportation commission may decrease the amount of bonds authorized in subsection (1)(c) of this section only if the legislature appropriates ((a transfer of)) an equal amount of funds from the motor vehicle fund - basic account ((to the economic development account under RCW 47.10.803)) for the purposes enumerated in subsection (1)(c) of this section.

 

    Sec. 13.  RCW 47.10.803 and 1986 c 290 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

    The proceeds from the sale of the bonds authorized by RCW 47.10.801(1) (((a) and (b))) shall be deposited in the motor vehicle fund.  ((The proceeds from the sale of the bonds authorized by RCW 47.10.801(1)(c) shall be deposited in the economic development account of the motor vehicle fund, hereby created.))  All such proceeds shall be available only for the purposes enumerated in RCW 47.10.801, for the payment of bond anticipation notes, if any, and for the payment of the expense incurred in the drafting, printing, issuance, and sale of such bonds.  The costs of obtaining insurance, letters of credit, or other credit enhancement devices with respect to the bonds shall be considered to be expenses incurred in the issuance and sale of the bonds.

 

    Sec. 14.  RCW 47.12.125 and 1991 c 291 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

    All moneys paid to the state of Washington under any of the provisions of RCW 47.12.120 shall be deposited in the department's advance right of way revolving fund, except moneys that are subject to federal aid reimbursement and moneys received from rental of capital facilities properties, which shall be deposited in the motor vehicle fund((, and except that moneys received from rental of capital facilities properties shall be deposited in the transportation capital facilities account as defined in chapter 47.13 RCW)).

 

    Sec. 15.  RCW 47.26.080 and 1994 c 179 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

    There is hereby created in the motor vehicle fund the urban arterial trust account.  The intent of the urban arterial trust account program is to improve the ((urban)) arterial street system of the state by improving mobility and safety while supporting an environment essential to the quality of life of the citizens of the state of Washington.  ((To be eligible to receive these funds, a project must be consistent with  the Growth Management Act, the Clean Air Act including conformity, and the Commute Trip Reduction Law.  The project shall consider safety, mobility, and physical characteristics of the roadway and must be partially funded by local government.

    All moneys deposited in the motor vehicle fund to be credited to the urban arterial trust account shall be expended for the construction and improvement of city arterial streets and county arterial roads within urban areas, for expenses of the transportation improvement board in accordance with RCW 47.26.140, or for the payment of principal or interest on bonds issued for the purpose of constructing or improving city arterial streets and county arterial roads within urban areas, or for reimbursement to the state, counties, cities, and towns in accordance with RCW 47.26.4252 and 47.26.4254, the amount of any payments made on principal or interest on urban arterial trust account bonds from motor vehicle or special fuel tax revenues which were distributable to the state, counties, cities, and towns.))

    The board shall not allocate funds, nor make payments of the funds under RCW 47.26.260, to any county, city, or town identified by the governor under RCW 36.70A.340.

 

    Sec. 16.  RCW 47.26.084 and 1994 c 179 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:

    The transportation improvement account is hereby created in the motor vehicle fund.  ((The board shall adopt rules and procedures which shall govern the allocation of funds in the transportation improvement account at such time as funds become available.  All projects selected for funding before the fiscal year 1996 transportation improvement account program are governed by this section.

    The board shall allocate funds from the account by June 30th of each year for the ensuing fiscal year and shall endeavor to provide geographical diversity in selecting improvement projects to be funded from the account.

    Of the amount made available to the transportation improvement board from the transportation improvement account for improvement projects:

    (1) Eighty-seven percent shall be allocated to urban counties, to cities with a population of five thousand and over, and to transportation benefit districts.  Improvement projects may include, but are not limited to, multi-agency projects and arterial improvement projects in fast-growing areas.

    To be eligible to receive these funds, a project must be (a) consistent with state, regional, and local transportation plans and consideration shall be given to the project's relationship, both actual and potential, with rapid mass transit and at such time as a rail plan is developed by the rail development commission, projects must be consistent therewith, (b) necessitated by existing or reasonably foreseeable congestion levels attributable to economic development or growth, and (c) partially funded by local government or private contributions, or a combination of such contributions.  The board shall, for those projects meeting the eligibility criteria, determine what percentage of each project is funded by local and/or private contribution.  Priority consideration shall be given to those projects with the greatest percentage of local and/or private contribution.))  The intent of the program is to improve mobility of people and goods in Washington state by supporting economic development and environmentally responsive solutions to our state-wide transportation system needs.

    Within one year after board approval of an application for funding, a county, city, or transportation benefit district shall provide written certification to the board of the pledged local and/or private funding.  Funds allocated to an applicant that does not certify its funding within one year after approval may be reallocated by the board.

    (((2) Thirteen percent shall be allocated by the board to cities and towns with a population of less than five thousand for street improvement projects in a manner determined by the board.))

 

    Sec. 17.  RCW 47.26.140 and 1996 c 49 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

    The transportation improvement board shall appoint an executive director, who shall serve at its pleasure and whose salary shall be set by the board, and may employ additional staff as it deems appropriate.  All costs associated with staff, together with travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060, shall be paid from the urban arterial trust account, ((small city account, city hardship assistance account, central Puget Sound public transportation account,)) public transportation systems account, and the transportation improvement account in the motor vehicle fund as determined by the biennial appropriation.

 

    Sec. 18.  RCW 47.26.425 and 1994 c 179 s 22 are each amended to read as follows:

    Any funds required to repay the first authorization of two hundred million dollars of bonds authorized by RCW 47.26.420, as amended by section 18, chapter 317, Laws of 1977 ex. sess. or the interest thereon when due, shall be taken from that portion of the motor vehicle fund which results from the imposition of excise taxes on motor vehicle and special fuels and which is distributed to the urban arterial trust account in the motor vehicle fund ((and the certain sums received by the small city account in the motor vehicle fund imposed by RCW 82.36.025(3) and 46.68.100(9))), and shall never constitute a charge against any allocations of any other such funds in the motor vehicle fund to the state, counties, cities, and towns unless and until the amount of the motor vehicle fund arising from the excise tax on motor vehicle and special fuels and distributed to the urban arterial trust account ((and the small city account)) proves insufficient to meet the requirements for bond retirement or interest on any such bonds.

 

    Sec. 19.  RCW 47.26.4252 and 1995 c 274 s 12 are each amended to read as follows:

    Any funds required to repay the authorization of series II bonds authorized by RCW 47.26.420, as reenacted by section 3, chapter 5, Laws of 1979, or the interest thereon when due, shall first be taken from that portion of the motor vehicle fund which results from the imposition of excise taxes on motor vehicle and special fuels imposed by chapters 82.36 and 82.38 RCW and which is distributed to the urban arterial trust account in the motor vehicle fund ((and the certain sums received by the small city account in the motor vehicle fund imposed by RCW 82.36.025(3) and 46.68.100(9))), subject, however, to the prior lien of the first authorization of bonds authorized by RCW 47.26.420, as reenacted by section 3, chapter 5, Laws of 1979.  If the moneys distributed to the urban arterial trust account ((and the small city account)) shall ever be insufficient to repay the first authorization bonds together with interest thereon, and the series II bonds or the interest thereon when due, the amount required to make such payments on such bonds or interest thereon shall next be taken from that portion of the motor vehicle fund which results from the imposition of excise taxes on motor vehicle and special fuels and which is distributed to the state, counties, cities, and towns pursuant to RCW 46.68.100 as now existing or hereafter amended.  Any payments on such bonds or interest thereon taken from motor vehicle or special fuel tax revenues which are distributable to the state, counties, cities, and towns, shall be repaid from the first moneys distributed to the urban arterial trust account not required for redemption of the first authorization bonds or series II and series III bonds or interest on those bond issues.

 

    Sec. 20.  RCW 47.26.4254 and 1995 c 274 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) Any funds required to repay series III bonds authorized by RCW 47.26.420, or the interest thereon, when due shall first be taken from that portion of the motor vehicle fund that results from the imposition of excise taxes on motor vehicle and special fuels imposed by chapters 82.36 and 82.38 RCW and that is distributed to the urban arterial trust account in the motor vehicle fund ((and the certain sums received by the small city account in the motor vehicle fund imposed by RCW 82.36.025(3) and 46.68.100(9))), subject, however, to the prior lien of the first authorization of bonds authorized by RCW 47.26.420.  If the moneys so distributed to the urban arterial trust account ((and the small city account)), after first being applied to administrative expenses of the transportation improvement board and to the requirements of bond retirement and payment of interest on first authorization bonds and series II bonds as provided in RCW 47.26.425 and 47.26.4252, are insufficient to meet the requirements for bond retirement or interest on any series III bonds, the amount required to make such payments on series III bonds or interest thereon shall next be taken from that portion of the motor vehicle fund that results from the imposition of excise taxes on motor vehicle and special fuels and that is distributed to the state, counties, cities, and towns pursuant to RCW 46.68.100, subject, however, to subsection (2) of this section.

    (2) To the extent that moneys so distributed to the urban arterial trust account ((and the small city account)) are insufficient to meet the requirements for bond retirement or interest on any series III bonds, sixty percent of the amount required to make such payments when due shall first be taken from that portion of the motor vehicle fund that results from the imposition of excise taxes on motor vehicle and special fuels and that is distributed to the state.  The remaining forty percent shall first be taken from that portion of the motor vehicle fund that results from the imposition of excise taxes on motor vehicle and special fuels and that is distributed to the cities and towns pursuant to RCW 46.68.100(1) and to the counties pursuant to RCW 46.68.100(3).  Of the counties', cities', and towns' share of any additional amounts required in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1984, fifteen percent shall be taken from the counties' distributive share and eighty-five percent from the cities' and towns' distributive share.  Of the counties', cities', and towns' share of any additional amounts required in each fiscal year thereafter, the percentage thereof to be taken from the counties' distributive share and from the cities' and towns' distributive share shall correspond to the percentage of funds authorized for specific county projects and for specific city and town projects, respectively, from the proceeds of series III bonds, for the period through the first eleven months of the prior fiscal year as determined by the chairman of the transportation improvement board and reported to the state finance committee and the state treasurer not later than the first working day of June.

    (3) Any payments on such bonds or interest thereon taken from motor vehicle or special fuel tax revenues that are distributable to the state, counties, cities, and towns shall be repaid from the first moneys distributed to the urban arterial trust account ((and the small city account)) not required for redemption of the first authorization bonds, series II bonds, or series III bonds or interest on these bonds.

 

    Sec. 21.  RCW 47.26.505 and 1994 c 179 s 29 are each amended to read as follows:

    Any funds required to repay such bonds, or the interest thereon when due, shall be taken from that portion of the motor vehicle fund which results from the imposition of excise taxes on motor vehicle and special fuels and which is distributed to the transportation improvement account in the motor vehicle fund ((and the sums received by the small city account in the motor vehicle fund under RCW 46.68.095)), and shall never constitute a charge against any allocations of any other such funds in the motor vehicle fund to the state, counties, cities, and towns unless and until the amount of the motor vehicle fund arising from the excise tax on motor vehicle and special fuels and distributed to the transportation improvement account proves insufficient to meet the requirements for bond retirement or interest on any such bonds.

 

    Sec. 22.  RCW 47.56.772 and 1993 c 4 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

    Upon the issuance of refunding bonds as authorized by RCW 47.56.770, the department of transportation may liquidate the existing bond fund and other funds and accounts established in the proceedings which authorized the issuance of the outstanding toll bridge authority, ferry, and Hood Canal bridge refunding revenue bonds and apply the money contained in those funds and accounts to the defeasance and redemption of outstanding toll bridge authority, ferry, and Hood Canal refunding revenue bonds, except that prior to such bond redemption, money sufficient to pay the first interest installment on the refunding bonds shall be deposited in the ferry bond retirement fund.  Money remaining in such funds not used for such bond defeasance and redemption or first interest installment on the refunding bonds shall be transferred to and deposited in the ((marine operating fund under RCW 47.56.775)) Puget Sound ferry operations account created under RCW 47.60.530.

 

    Sec. 23.  RCW 47.60.150 and 1990 c 42 s 405 are each amended to read as follows:

    Subject to the provisions of RCW 47.60.326, the schedule of charges for the services and facilities of the system shall be fixed and revised from time to time by the commission so that the tolls and other revenues ((collected together with any moneys)) deposited in the Puget Sound ferry operations account ((transferred to the ferry system revolving account)) for maintenance and operation, and all moneys in the Puget Sound capital construction account available for debt service will yield annual revenue and income sufficient, after allowance for all operating, maintenance, and repair expenses to pay the interest and principal and sinking fund charges for all outstanding revenue bonds, and to create and maintain a fund for ordinary renewals and replacements:  PROVIDED, That if provision is made by any resolution for the issuance of revenue bonds for the creation and maintenance of a special fund for rehabilitating, rebuilding, enlarging, or improving all or any part of the ferry system then such schedule of tolls and rates of charges shall be fixed and revised so that the revenue and income will also be sufficient to comply with such provision.

    All income and revenues as collected shall be paid to the state treasurer for the account of the department ((as a separate trust fund and to be segregated and disbursed upon order of the department:  PROVIDED, That the fund so segregated and set apart for the payment of the revenue bonds may be remitted to and held by a designated trustee in such manner and with such collateral as may be provided in the resolution authorizing the issuance of said bonds.  No expenditure may be made from the revenue fund established under this section and the bond resolution without an appropriation by law)) and deposited into the Puget Sound ferry operations account.  Nothing in this section requires tolls on the Hood Canal bridge except as may be required by any bond covenants.

 

    Sec. 24.  RCW 47.60.326 and 1990 c 42 s 406 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) In order to maintain an adequate, fair, and economically sound schedule of charges for the transportation of passengers, vehicles, and commodities on the Washington state ferries, the department of transportation each year shall conduct a full review of such charges.

    (2) Prior to February 1st of each odd-numbered year the department shall transmit to the transportation commission a report of its review together with its recommendations for the revision of a schedule of charges for the ensuing biennium.  The commission on or before July 1st of that year shall adopt as a rule, in the manner provided by the Washington administrative procedure act, a schedule of charges for the Washington state ferries for the ensuing biennium commencing July 1st.  The schedule may initially be adopted as an emergency rule if necessary to take effect on, or as near as possible to, July 1st.

    (3) The department in making its review and formulating recommendations and the commission in adopting a schedule of charges may consider any of the following factors:

    (a) The amount of subsidy available to the ferry system for maintenance and operation;

    (b) The time and distance of ferry runs;

    (c) The maintenance and operation costs for ferry runs with a proper adjustment for higher costs of operating outmoded or less efficient equipment;

    (d) The efficient distribution of traffic between cross-sound routes;

    (e) The desirability of reasonable commutation rates for persons using the ferry system to commute daily to work;

    (f) The effect of proposed fares in increasing walk-on and vehicular passenger use;

    (g) The effect of proposed fares in promoting all types of ferry use during nonpeak periods;

    (h) Such other factors as prudent managers of a major ferry system would consider.

    (4) If at any time during the biennium it appears that projected ((toll)) revenues from the ((ferry system, together with the transfer from the)) Puget Sound ferry operations account ((to the ferry system revolving account)) and any other operating subsidy available to the Washington state ferries((,)) will be less than the projected total cost of maintenance and operation of the Washington state ferries for the biennium, the department shall forthwith undertake a review of its schedule of charges to ascertain whether or not the schedule of charges should be revised.  The department shall, upon completion of its review report, submit its recommendation to the transportation commission which may in its sound discretion revise the schedule of charges as required to meet necessary maintenance and operation expenditures of the ferry system for the biennium or may defer action until the regular annual review and revision of ferry charges as provided in subsection (2) of this section.

    (5) The provisions of RCW 47.60.330 relating to public participation shall apply to the process of revising ferry tolls under this section.

 

    Sec. 25.  RCW 47.60.440 and 1990 c 42 s 408 are each amended to read as follows:

    The Washington state ferry system shall be efficiently managed, operated, and maintained as a revenue-producing undertaking.  Subject to the provisions of RCW 47.60.326 the commission shall maintain and revise from time to time as necessary a schedule of tolls and charges on said ferry system ((and, if necessary to comply with bond covenants, on the Hood Canal bridge which together)) with ((any)) other moneys deposited in the Puget Sound ferry operations account ((transferred to the ferry system revolving account)) for maintenance and operation and all moneys in the Puget Sound capital construction account available for debt service will produce net revenue available for debt service, in each fiscal year, in an amount at least equal to minimum annual debt service requirements as hereinafter provided.  Minimum annual debt service requirements as used in this section shall include required payments of principal and interest, sinking fund requirements, and payments into reserves on all outstanding revenue bonds authorized by RCW 47.60.400 through 47.60.470.

    The provisions of law relating to the revision of tolls and charges to meet minimum annual debt service requirements from net revenues as required by this section shall be binding upon the commission but shall not be deemed to constitute a contract to that effect for the benefit of the holders of such bonds.

 

    Sec. 26.  RCW 82.36.025 and 1994 c 179 s 30 are each amended to read as follows:

    The motor vehicle fuel tax rate shall be computed as the sum of the tax rate provided in subsection (1) of this section and the additional tax rates provided in subsections (2) through (5) of this section.

    (1) A motor vehicle fuel tax rate of seventeen cents per gallon shall apply to the sale, distribution, or use of motor vehicle fuel.

    (2) An additional motor vehicle fuel tax rate of one-third cent per gallon shall apply to the sale, distribution, or use of motor vehicle fuel, and the proceeds from this additional tax rate, reduced by an amount equal to the sum of the payments under RCW 46.68.090(1) (a), (b), and (c) multiplied by the additional tax rate prescribed by this subsection divided by the motor vehicle fuel tax rate provided in this section, shall be deposited in the rural arterial trust account in the motor vehicle fund for expenditures under RCW 36.79.020.

    (3) An additional motor vehicle fuel tax rate of one-third cent per gallon shall apply to the sale, distribution, or use of motor vehicle fuel, and the proceeds from this additional tax rate, reduced by an amount equal to the sum of the payments under RCW 46.68.090(1) (a), (b), and (c) multiplied by the additional tax rate prescribed by this subsection divided by the motor vehicle fuel tax rate provided in this section, shall be deposited in the urban arterial trust account in the motor vehicle fund.  ((After June 30, 1995, ninety-five percent of this revenue shall be deposited in the urban arterial trust account in the motor vehicle fund and five percent shall be deposited in the small city account in the motor vehicle fund.))

    (4) An additional motor vehicle fuel tax rate of one-third cent per gallon shall be applied to the sale, distribution, or use of motor vehicle fuel, and the proceeds from this additional tax rate, reduced by an amount equal to the sum of the payments under RCW 46.68.090(1) (a), (b), and (c) multiplied by the additional tax rate prescribed by this subsection divided by the motor vehicle fuel tax rate provided in this section, shall be deposited in the motor vehicle fund to be expended for highway purposes of the state as defined in RCW 46.68.130.

    (5) An additional motor vehicle fuel tax rate of four cents per gallon from April 1, 1990, through March 31, 1991, and five cents per gallon from April 1, 1991, applies to the sale, distribution, or use of motor vehicle fuel.  The proceeds from the additional tax rate under this subsection, reduced by an amount equal to the sum of the payments under RCW 46.68.090(1) (a), (b), and (c) multiplied by the additional tax rate prescribed by this subsection divided by the motor fuel tax rate provided in this section, shall be deposited in the motor vehicle fund and shall be distributed by the state treasurer according to RCW 46.68.095.

 

    Sec. 27.  RCW 82.44.150 and 1998 c 321 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) The director of licensing shall, on the twenty-fifth day of February, May, August, and November of each year, advise the state treasurer of the total amount of motor vehicle excise taxes imposed by RCW 82.44.020(1) remitted to the department during the preceding calendar quarter ending on the last day of March, June, September, and December, respectively, except for those payable under RCW 82.44.030, from motor vehicle owners residing within each municipality which has levied a tax under RCW 35.58.273, which amount of excise taxes shall be determined by the director as follows:

    The total amount of motor vehicle excise taxes remitted to the department, except those payable under RCW 82.44.020(2) and 82.44.030, from each county shall be multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the population of the municipality residing in such county, and the denominator of which is the total population of the county in which such municipality or portion thereof is located.  The product of this computation shall be the amount of excise taxes from motor vehicle owners residing within such municipality or portion thereof.  Where the municipality levying a tax under RCW 35.58.273 is located in more than one county, the above computation shall be made by county, and the combined products shall provide the total amount of motor vehicle excise taxes from motor vehicle owners residing in the municipality as a whole.  Population figures required for these computations shall be supplied to the director by the office of financial management, who shall adjust the fraction annually.

    (2) On the first day of the months of January, April, July, and October of each year, the state treasurer based upon information provided by the department shall, from motor vehicle excise taxes deposited in the transportation fund under RCW 82.44.110, make the following deposits:

    (a) To the high capacity transportation account created in RCW 47.78.010, a sum equal to four and five-tenths percent of the special excise tax levied under RCW 35.58.273 by those municipalities authorized to levy a special excise tax within each county that has a population of one hundred seventy-five thousand or more and has an interstate highway within its borders; except that in a case of a municipality located in a county that has a population of one hundred seventy-five thousand or more that does not have an interstate highway located within its borders, that sum shall be deposited in the passenger ferry account;

    (b) To the ((central Puget Sound)) public transportation systems account created in RCW 82.44.180, for revenues distributed after June 30, 1999, within a county with a population of one million or more and a county with a population of from two hundred thousand to less than one million bordering a county with a population of one million or more with which it shares a border of more than five miles, a sum equal to ((the difference between (i) the special excise tax levied and collected under RCW 35.58.273 by those municipalities authorized to levy and collect a special excise tax subject to the requirements of subsections (3) and (4) of this section and (ii) the special excise tax that the municipality would otherwise have been eligible to levy and collect at a tax rate of .815 percent and been able to match with locally generated tax revenues, other than the excise tax imposed under RCW 35.58.273, budgeted for any public transportation purpose.  Before this deposit, the sum shall be reduced by an amount equal to the amount distributed under (a) of this subsection for each of the municipalities within the counties to which this subsection (2)(b) applies; however, any transfer under this subsection (2)(b) must be greater than zero)) 6.732 percent of the special excise tax distributed under RCW 35.58.273; and

    (c) To the public transportation systems account created in RCW 82.44.180, for revenues distributed after June 30, 1999, within counties not described in (b) of this subsection, a sum equal to ((the difference between (i) the special excise tax levied and collected under RCW 35.58.273 by those municipalities authorized to levy and collect a special excise tax subject to the requirements of subsections (3) and (4) of this section and (ii) the special excise tax that the municipality would otherwise have been eligible to levy and collect at a tax rate of .815 percent and been able to match with locally generated tax revenues, other than the excise tax imposed under RCW 35.58.273, budgeted for any public transportation purpose.  Before this deposit, the sum shall be reduced by an amount equal to the amount distributed under (a) of this subsection for each of the municipalities within the counties to which this subsection (2)(c) applies; however, any transfer under this subsection (2)(c) must be greater than zero)) 1.158 percent of the special excise tax levied and collected under RCW 35.58.273.

    (3) On the first day of the months of January, April, July, and October of each year, the state treasurer, based upon information provided by the department, shall remit motor vehicle excise tax revenues imposed and collected under RCW 35.58.273 as follows:

    (a) The amount required to be remitted by the state treasurer to the treasurer of any municipality levying the tax shall not exceed in any calendar year the amount of locally-generated tax revenues, excluding (i) the excise tax imposed under RCW 35.58.273 for the purposes of this section, which shall have been budgeted by the municipality to be collected in such calendar year for any public transportation purposes including but not limited to operating costs, capital costs, and debt service on general obligation or revenue bonds issued for these purposes; and (ii) the sales and use tax equalization distributions provided under RCW 82.14.046; and

    (b) In no event may the amount remitted in a single calendar quarter exceed the amount collected on behalf of the municipality under RCW 35.58.273 during the calendar quarter next preceding the immediately preceding quarter, excluding the sales and use tax equalization distributions provided under RCW 82.14.046.

    (4) At the close of each calendar year accounting period, but not later than April 1, each municipality that has received motor vehicle excise taxes under subsection (3) of this section shall transmit to the director of licensing and the state auditor a written report showing by source the previous year's budgeted tax revenues for public transportation purposes as compared to actual collections.  Any municipality that has not submitted the report by April 1 shall cease to be eligible to receive motor vehicle excise taxes under subsection (3) of this section until the report is received by the director of licensing.  If a municipality has received more or less money under subsection (3) of this section for the period covered by the report than it is entitled to receive by reason of its locally-generated collected tax revenues, the director of licensing shall, during the next ensuing quarter that the municipality is eligible to receive motor vehicle excise tax funds, increase or decrease the amount to be remitted in an amount equal to the difference between the locally-generated budgeted tax revenues and the locally-generated collected tax revenues.  In no event may the amount remitted for a calendar year exceed the amount collected on behalf of the municipality under RCW 35.58.273 during that same calendar year excluding the sales and use tax equalization distributions provided under RCW 82.14.046.  At the time of the next fiscal audit of each municipality, the state auditor shall verify the accuracy of the report submitted and notify the director of licensing of any discrepancies.

    (5) The motor vehicle excise taxes imposed under RCW 35.58.273 and required to be remitted under this section and RCW 82.14.046 shall be remitted without legislative appropriation.

    (6) Any municipality levying and collecting a tax under RCW 35.58.273 which does not have an operating, public transit system or a contract for public transportation services in effect within one year from the initial effective date of the tax shall return to the state treasurer all motor vehicle excise taxes received under subsection (3) of this section.

 

    Sec. 28.  RCW 82.44.180 and 1998 c 321 s 41 (Referendum Bill No. 49) are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) The transportation fund is created in the state treasury.  Revenues under RCW 82.44.110 and 82.50.510 shall be deposited into the fund as provided in those sections.

    Moneys in the fund may be spent only after appropriation.  Expenditures from the fund may be used only for transportation purposes and activities and operations of the Washington state patrol not directly related to the policing of public highways and that are not authorized under Article II, section 40 of the state Constitution.

    (2) ((There is hereby created the central Puget Sound public transportation account within the transportation fund.  Moneys deposited into the account under RCW 82.44.150(2)(b) shall be appropriated to the transportation improvement board and allocated by the transportation improvement board to public transportation projects within the region from which the funds are derived, solely for:

    (a) Planning;

    (b) Development of capital projects;

    (c) Development of high capacity transportation systems as defined in RCW 81.104.015;

    (d) Development of high occupancy vehicle lanes and related facilities as defined in RCW 81.100.020; and

    (e) Public transportation system contributions required to fund projects under federal programs and those approved by the transportation improvement board from other fund sources.

    (3))) There is hereby created the public transportation systems account within the transportation fund.  Moneys deposited into the account under RCW 82.44.150(2) (b) and (c) shall be appropriated to the transportation improvement board and allocated by the transportation improvement board to public transportation projects submitted by the public transportation systems ((from which the funds are derived)) as defined by chapters 36.56, 36.57, and 36.57A RCW and RCW 35.84.060 and 81.112.030, and the Washington state ferry system, solely for:

    (a) Planning;

    (b) Development of capital projects;

    (c) Development of high capacity transportation systems as defined in RCW 81.104.015;

    (d) Development of high occupancy vehicle lanes and related facilities as defined in RCW 81.100.020;

    (e) Other public transportation system-related roadway projects on state highways, county roads, or city streets; and

    (f) Public transportation system contributions required to fund projects under federal programs and those approved by the transportation improvement board from other fund sources.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 29.  The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:

    (1) RCW 46.68.180 (Highway construction stabilization account--Established, purpose) and 1985 c 140 s 1;

    (2) RCW 46.68.190 (Highway construction stabilization account--Deposits, transfers) and 1985 c 140 s 2;

    (3) RCW 46.68.200 (Highway construction stabilization account--Uses limited) and 1985 c 140 s 3;

    (4) RCW 47.02.180 (District 1 headquarters bonds--Reimbursement of motor vehicle fund) and 1990 c 293 s 7;

    (5) RCW 47.13.010 (Account created--Deposits and expenditures) and 1989 c 397 s 1;

    (6) RCW 47.13.020 (Federal moneys) and 1995 c 271 s 1 & 1989 c 397 s 2;

    (7) RCW 47.13.030 (Exclusion of certain facilities) and 1989 c 397 s 3;

    (8) RCW 47.13.040 (Definition) and 1989 c 397 s 4;

    (9) RCW 47.13.900 (Effective date--1989 c 397) and 1989 c 397 s 6; and

    (10) RCW 47.56.775 (Marine operating fund created) and 1993 c 4 s 7.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 30.  (1) Sections 1, 2, 4 through 26, 28, and 29 of this act are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and take effect July 1, 1999.

    (2) Section 3 of this act takes effect September 1, 2000.

    (3) Section 27 of this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect June 30, 1999.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 31.  Section 2 of this act expires September 1, 2000.

 


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