SB 6649-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

     Declares that, in order to provide safe and efficient travel on public streets, it is necessary for street utilities to impose appropriate street use charges on street users, identified by classifications such as residences and businesses, based upon the type of uses made of each property and the estimated impact that uses have on public streets, subject to the limitations in this act, all of which is necessary to protect the public's welfare.

     Provides that a city or town may elect by action of its legislative authority to own, maintain, operate, and preserve all or any described portion of its streets as a separate enterprise and facility, known as a street utility, and from time to time add other existing or new streets to that street utility, with full power to own, maintain, operate, and preserve these streets.

     Authorizes the legislative authority of the city or town to include as a part of the street utility street lighting, traffic control devices, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, parking facilities, and drainage facilities, and any other facilities, equipment, or service directly related to public streets as may be prescribed by ordinance.  The legislative authority of the city or town is the governing body of the street utility.

     Provides that a city or town electing to own, maintain, operate, and preserve its streets as a separate street utility may levy periodic charges upon street users identified by ordinance for the use of the streets in a total annual amount of up to fifty percent of the actual costs for maintenance, operation, and preservation of facilities under the jurisdiction of the street utility.  These fees or charges shall be placed in a specific fund dedicated to street maintenance.

     Provides that the city or town electing to own, maintain, operate, and preserve its streets and related facilities as a utility under this act may finance the operation, maintenance, and preservation through local improvement districts, utility local improvement districts, or with proceeds from general obligation bonds and revenue bonds payable from the charges issued in accordance with chapter 35.41, 35.92, or 39.46 RCW, or any combination thereof.

     Declares that any fee or tax increases provided in this act do not constitute new transportation revenue for the purposes of chapter 5, Laws of 2002.

     Repeals RCW 82.80.040, 82.80.050, and 82.80.060.