Washington State
House of Representatives
 BILL
ANALYSIS
Transportation Committee

HB 3158

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Creating transportation improvement districts for the maintenance and operation of certain bridges.

Sponsors: Representatives Flannigan, Hudgins, Morrell and Darneille.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Permits a city or town with a mechanical lift bridge meeting certain criteria to form a transportation improvement district.
  • Permits transportation improvement districts to impose a sales and use tax of no more than 0.20 percent to repair or replace qualifying bridges.
  • Requires that transportation improvement districts assume jurisdiction of qualifying bridges, undertake the improvements financed by the district, and assume ongoing maintenance and operating costs.

Hearing Date: 2/4/08

Staff: Christie Parker (786-7322).

Background:

The Murray Morgan Bridge was built in 1911. In 1957, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) assumed ownership of the bridge; with ownership came the responsibility of operating and maintaining the bridge. In 1995, WSDOT entered into an agreement to transfer the 11th street corridor, including the Murray Morgan Bridge, to the City of Tacoma due to the pending opening of the new State Route 509 freeway. However, this transfer never took place due to funding concerns. WSDOT closed the Murray Morgan Bridge to vehicular traffic on October 23, 2007, due to safety concerns as a result of structural deterioration. The bridge carried an estimated 1,300 vehicles per day at the time of closure.

Cities currently have several mechanisms to raise revenue for transportation. Cities and counties may form transportation benefit districts. These districts may impose sales and use taxes, property taxes, or other fees to fund transportation improvements; however, these taxes and fees must be approved by a public vote. Cities may also create local improvement districts and impose special assessments to fund transportation improvements via city ordinance. Cities also have the general power to impose property taxes, sales taxes, business and occupation taxes, and other fees for the purpose of building and maintaining city streets.

Summary of Bill:

The bill allows a city or town that has a state-owned mechanical lift bridge meeting certain criteria to create a new entity called a transportation improvement district. Based on the established criteria, Tacoma could establish a transportation improvement district and impose a sales and use tax of up to 0.2 percent to repair or replace the Murray Morgan Bridge. This tax is in addition to all other taxes and a public vote is not required.

The taxes must be used exclusively to repair or replace the mechanical lift bridge, including bridge supports, approaches, mechanical systems, and electrical systems. These tax revenues are credited toward the state retail sales tax; therefore, local revenue gains represent an equivalent state revenue loss. The district may also impose tolls as well as seek loans, grants, appropriations, competitive grants, and private revenues to finance the bridge improvements.

If a transportation improvment district is formed, the city must agree to assume jurisdiction of the bridge, to implement the bridge improvements, and to be responsible for ongoing maintenance and operating costs of the bridge.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect on 6/1/08.