S-0673.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 5444

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

By Senators Horn, McDonald, Finkbeiner, Johnson and Rossi

Read first time 01/23/2001.  Referred to Committee on Transportation.

Requiring periodic voter approval on regional transit authority projects.

    AN ACT Relating to voter approval on regional transit authority projects; and adding a new section to chapter 81.112 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 81.112 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) Whenever a regional transit authority chooses to deviate from a final system plan, or the boundaries, timetable, or scope of work previously within that system plan, the authority must submit the change or deviation to a vote of the people within the service area as a ballot proposition setting forth the change and the rationale for the change.  A regional transit authority may not change the final system plan, or the boundaries, timetable, or scope of work previously within that system plan, without approval of a majority of those voting in the election.

    (2) At least once every ten years, a regional transit authority must submit the current uncompleted work to be undertaken in its current system plan, and the boundaries, timetable, and scope of incomplete work within the system plan, to a vote of the people within the service area as a ballot proposition on the continued completion of the service plan.  If the ballot proposition fails to receive a majority vote of those voting in the election, the authority will cease further work on the plan, but may maintain systems and modes of operation already in effect prior to the vote.  A vote pursuant to subsection (1) of this section satisfies this requirement, but in no case may an authority go longer than ten years between votes.

    (3) If a regional transit authority fails to comply with the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the taxing authority permitted under chapter 81.104 RCW expires, as well as any taxes imposed pursuant to chapter 81.104 RCW.

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