SB 5537-S - DIGEST

(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 3/19/03)

Provides that 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.

Provides that 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.

Declares that nothing in this act 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.