SB 6172 - DIGEST

(SEE ALSO PROPOSED 1ST SUB)

     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 state and interstate highways in urban regions;

     (3) Providing a comprehensive multimodal transportation system which provides efficient mobility choices for persons and freight requires a partnership between the state, local, and regional governments, and the private sector; and

     (4) Timely construction and development of congestion relief projects can best be achieved by establishing regional congestion relief districts.

     Declares that the district's plan may recommend the imposition of some or all of the following revenue sources:  (1) A vehicle license fee of up to seventy-five dollars per vehicle registered in the district, except commercial vehicles as defined in RCW 46.04.140, per year on passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, motorcycles, motorhomes, pickup trucks, and trailers or trailing units.  The department of licensing shall administer and collect this fee on behalf of a congestion relief district and remit this fee to the custody of the state treasurer, who shall distribute it as directed by a regional congestion relief district;

     (2) Tolls;

     (3) Property tax road levy as provided in RCW 36.82.040; and

     (4) A commercial vehicle fee of up to one hundred fifty dollars per commercial vehicle registered in the district as defined in RCW 46.04.140.  The department of licensing shall administer and collect this fee on behalf of a regional congestion relief district and remit this fee to the custody of the state treasurer, who shall distribute it as directed by a regional congestion relief district.

     No taxes may be imposed without a vote of the people within the district boundaries.

     Provides that, to assure accountability to the public for the timely construction of the transportation project or projects within cost projections, the district shall issue a public report every six months from the date the project begins to the date it concludes.  In the report, the district shall detail the progress of the project in two areas:  (1) Whether the project or projects costs-to-date are within the amount of revenue raised for the project or projects under the vote of the people as provided in section 3 of this act; and

     (2) Whether the project or projects are proceeding in accordance with the original construction schedule.  If the progress of the project is inconsistent with either the cost projections or timeliness, the district shall provide the public with a plan to move the project or projects back into compliance with the original construction schedule and cost projections.