BILL REQ. #:  S-0591.1 

Read first time 01/29/2003.   Referred to Committee on Highways & Transportation.

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

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) Unless the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (also known as Sound Transit) submits to the voters, in the relevant service area at the next general election after the effective date of this act, a ballot proposition to provide for funding of the Link Light Rail system in accordance with RCW 81.112.030(8); and unless the proposition is approved, the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority shall not make any expenditure, nor issue bonds, nor enter into any borrowing, agreement, or commitment, for purposes of implementing the Link Light Rail system from SeaTac to downtown Seattle or Northgate, or in any nearby corridor.
     (2) Subsection (1) of this section does not affect any power of the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority to implement programs other than Link Light Rail, including but not limited to commuter rail (Sounder), monorail, intercity bus service, park and ride lots, other programs, or light rail in Tacoma, Washington.
     (3) The Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority shall promptly assess all resources intended or expected to be used before the effective date of this act for Link Light Rail (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:
     (a) A monorail line to replace Link Light Rail, in the general SeaTac-to-Northgate corridor;
     (b) Expanded commuter rail service;
     (c) Expanded bus or vanpool service; and
     (d) Any other allowed service.
     In connection with this determination, the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority shall conduct a least six public hearings and shall consult with, and obtain the views of, the Seattle Popular Monorail Authority, and shall consider the need for rapid regional transit connecting major destinations for employment, shopping, recreation, and transportation purposes. If voter approval of Link Light Rail is not obtained under subsection (1) of this section, the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority shall reprogram Link Light Rail resources to the chosen alternatives and proceed with implementation. If the monorail alternative provides ridership and travel time benefits at least equal to that provided by Link Light Rail at a lower monetary cost, the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority shall reprogram Link Light Rail resources to monorail, and the monorail alternative will be deemed to fully satisfy any obligation of the authority to implement light rail arising from prior voter approval of a regional light rail system.