HB 2359-S.E - DIGEST

(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 1/31/02)

     Finds that:

     (1) The capacity of many of Washington state's transportation facilities have failed to keep up with the state's growth, particularly in major urban regions;

     (2) The state cannot by itself fund, in a timely way, many of the major capacity and other improvements required on highways of statewide significance and for other regional transportation projects in the state's largest urbanized areas;

     (3) Providing a transportation system that maintains efficient mobility for persons and freight requires a partnership between the state, local, and regional governments and the private sector;

     (4) Timely construction and development of significant transportation improvement projects can best be achieved through enhanced funding options for governments at the city, county, and regional levels.  The legislature intends to use existing governments, existing tax authority with enhancements, and existing authority for interlocal cooperation among governments to address critical local, regional, and statewide roadway and multimodal needs; and

     (5) Voters must be assured that locally generated moneys to address transportation projects will remain within the taxing jurisdiction and that the tax revenues will be used to address an identified list of projects and activities.

     Provides that the act shall be null and void if appropriations are not approved.