BILL REQ. #:  S-1961.1 

READ FIRST TIME 03/04/03.   

     AN ACT Relating to transportation alternatives in central Puget Sound; adding a new section to chapter 81.112 RCW; and creating a new section.

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)(a) A regional transit authority shall submit to the voters within its service area, at the next general election after the effective date of this act, a ballot proposition to provide for funding and implementation of a light rail transit system in a county with a population over one million five hundred thousand persons.
     (b) A simple majority of those voting within the service area is required for approval. If the vote is affirmative, the authority may implement a light rail transit system in a county with a population over one million five hundred thousand persons. If the vote is negative, the authority shall not make any expenditure, incur any debt, issue any bonds, nor enter into any agreement, for purposes of implementing a light rail transit system in a county with a population over one million five hundred thousand persons, except to make expenditures solely for the purposes of retiring debt or fulfilling contractual obligations, if any, relative to a light rail system, incurred or entered into before the effective date of this act.
     (2) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section prohibits a regional transit authority from implementing programs other than a light rail transit system in a county with a population over one million five hundred thousand persons, including but not limited to commuter rail, a bus rapid transit system, intercity bus service, park and ride lots, other programs, or a light rail transit system in other counties within an authority's service area.
     (3)(a) A regional transit authority shall assess all resources actually used, or intended or expected to be used, for a light rail transit system in a county with a population over one million five hundred thousand persons (including but not limited to all cash or other assets, debt capacity or limits, and rights under agreements with other entities), and determine the best alternative use of all such resources, as between any of the following alternatives or any combination of them:
     (i) A bus rapid transit system;
     (ii) Expanded commuter rail service;
     (iii) Expanded bus or vanpool service; and
     (iv) Any other allowed service.
     (b) In connection with the assessment under (a) of this subsection, a regional transit authority shall conduct at least six public hearings and shall consult with, and obtain the views of, a city transportation authority under chapter 35.95A RCW, and shall consider the need for rapid regional transit connecting major destinations for employment, shopping, recreation, and transportation purposes.
     (c) If voter approval of implementing a light rail transit system in a county with a population over one million five hundred thousand persons is not obtained under subsection (1) of this section, a regional transit authority shall reprogram the light rail resources to the chosen alternatives and proceed with implementation.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   This act is remedial in nature and applies to all regional transit authorities established before or after the effective date of this act.