SB 6464-S.E - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Provides that a city transportation authority to perform a public monorail transportation function may be created in every city with a population greater than three hundred thousand to perform a public monorail transportation function.  The authority shall embrace all the territory in the authority area.  A city transportation authority is a municipal corporation, an independent taxing "authority" within the meaning of Article 7, section 1 of the state Constitution, and a "taxing district" within the meaning of Article 7, section 2 of the state Constitution.

     Requires that any city transportation authority and proposed taxes established pursuant to this act, either by ordinance or petition as provided in this act, must be approved by a majority vote of the electors residing within the proposed authority area voting at a regular or special election.

     Declares that every authority has the power to:  (1) Levy excess levies upon the property included within the authority area, in the manner prescribed by Article VII, section 2 of the state Constitution and by RCW 84.52.052 for operating funds, capital outlay funds, and cumulative reserve funds;

     (2) Issue general obligation bonds, not to exceed an amount, together with any outstanding nonvoter-approved general obligation indebtedness equal to one and one-half percent of the value of the taxable property within the authority area, as the term "value of the taxable property" is defined in RCW 39.36.015;

     (3) Issue revenue bonds payable from any revenues other than taxes levied by the authority, and to pledge those revenues for the repayment of the bonds.  Proceeds of revenue bonds may only be expended for the costs of public monorail transportation facilities, for financing costs, and for capitalized interest during construction plus six months thereafter.  The bonds and warrants will be issued and sold in accordance with chapter 39.46 RCW.

     Declares that every authority has the power to levy and collect a special excise tax not exceeding two and one-half percent on the value of every motor vehicle owned by a resident of the authority area for the privilege of using a motor vehicle.

     Declares that every authority has the power to fix and impose a fee, not to exceed one hundred dollars per vehicle, for each vehicle that is subject to relicensing tab fees under RCW 46.16.0621 and for each vehicle that is subject to RCW 46.16.070 with an unladen weight of six thousand pounds or less, and that is determined by the department of licensing to be registered within the boundaries of the authority area.

     Declares that every authority has the power to impose annual regular property tax levies in an amount equal to one dollar and fifty cents or less per thousand dollars of assessed value of property in the authority area when specifically authorized to do so by a majority of the voters voting on a proposition submitted at a special election or at the regular election of the authority.

     Provides that the city transportation authority may be dissolved by a vote of the people residing within the boundaries of the authority if the authority is faced with significant financial problems.

VETO MESSAGE ON SB 6464-S

                   March 29, 2002

To the Honorable President and Members,

  The Senate of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am returning herewith, without my approval as to sections 7 and 18, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 6464 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to city transportation authority;"

     This bill will allow the voters of Seattle to decide if they want to impose taxes to pay for a monorail system.

     Section 7 of the bill contained a drafting error that would have inadvertently required two public votes, rather than one.  Because sections 2, 9, 10, and 11 all ensure a public vote, vetoing this section will not affect the requirement of voter approval.  This section also included language requiring a plan and public hearings; however, section 3 and other parts of the bill provide sufficient opportunities for the city council to ensure an open, public process and careful consideration of any monorail plan.

     Section 18 would have rendered the entire bill null and void if a "regional transportation act does not become law by December 31, 2002."  On March 21, 2002, I signed into law a regional transportation act, Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6140, making section 18 moot.  Vetoing the moot section will help reduce confusion.

     For these reasons, I have vetoed sections 7 and 18 of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 6464.

     With the exception of sections 7 and 18, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 6464 is approved.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Gary Locke

                   Governor