HB 2157-S.E - DIGEST

(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 3/14/05)

Finds that: (1) The capacity of many of Washington state's transportation facilities have failed to keep up with the state's growth, particularly in major urban regions;

(2) The state cannot by itself fund, in a timely way, many of the major capacity and other improvements required on highways of statewide significance in the state's largest urbanized area;

(3) Providing a transportation system that provides efficient mobility for persons and freight requires a shared partnership and responsibility between the state, local, and regional governments and the private sector;

(4) Timely construction and development of significant transportation improvement projects can best be achieved through enhanced funding options for governments at the county and regional levels, using already existing tax authority together with innovative funding approaches to address critical transportation needs and to provide authority for regions and counties to address transportation projects of regional and statewide significance; and

(5) The development of transportation improvements will require both state, and regional and local efforts. This act is intended to enhance this partnership, and not to replace the need for resources to be provided by the state.

Repeals provisions of chapter 36.120 RCW.