Brief Description: Making transportation services an authorized purpose for parking and business improvement areas.

Sponsors: Senators Spanel, Oke, Weinstein, Esser and Rasmussen.

Hearing Date: 3/29/05

Staff: Gene Baxstrom (786-7303).

Background:

The legislative authorities of all counties and incorporated cities and towns are authorized to establish by ordinance Parking and Business Improvement Areas (PBIA). A PBIA is an area within a county, city, or town that has the authority to levy special assessments on the businesses and multifamily residential or mixed-use projects within the area that are specially benefitted by the activities of the parking and business improvement area.

The six activities in which the PBIA may engage are as follows: (1) the provision of parking lots; (2) decoration of a public place; (3) furnishing music in public places; (4) promotion of public events in the area; (5) promotion and management of retail trade activities; and (6) provision of security and maintenance of the common public areas.

Summary of Bill:

The purposes for which a PBIA may be established are expanded to include the provision of transportation services for the benefit of the area.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.