BILL REQ. #:  H-2458.1 

READ FIRST TIME 03/02/09.   

     AN ACT Relating to authorizing cities to provide and contract for supplemental transportation improvements; amending RCW 36.73.015; adding a new section to chapter 35.21 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 36.73 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 35.58 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 36.57A RCW; 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 35.21 RCW to read as follows:
     In addition to any other power and authority conferred to a city that is located in a county having a population of more than one million five hundred thousand, a city legislative authority may provide or contract for supplemental transportation improvements to meet mobility needs within the city's boundaries. For purposes of this section, a "supplemental transportation improvement" or "supplemental improvement" means any project, work, or undertaking to provide or contract for public transit service in addition to any existing or planned public transportation service provided by public transportation agencies and systems serving the city. The supplemental authority provided to the city legislative authority under this section is subject to the following requirements:
     (1) Prior to taking any action to provide or contract for supplemental transportation improvements permitted under this section, the legislative authority of the city shall conduct a public hearing at the time and place specified in a notice published at least once, not less than ten days before the hearing, in a newspaper of general circulation within the proposed district. The notice must specify the supplemental facilities or services to be provided or contracted for by the city, and must include estimated capital, operating, and maintenance costs. The legislative authority of the city shall hear objections from any person affected by the proposed supplemental improvements.
     (2) Following the hearing held pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, if the city legislative authority finds that the proposed supplemental transportation improvements are in the public interest, the legislative authority shall adopt an ordinance providing for the supplemental improvements and provide or contract for the supplemental improvements.
     (3) For purposes of providing or contracting for the proposed supplemental transportation improvements, the legislative authority of the city may contract with private providers and nonprofit organizations, and may form public-private partnerships. Such contracts and partnerships must require that transit services be coordinated with other public transportation agencies and systems serving the area and border jurisdictions.
     (4) The legislative authorities of cities that are participating jurisdictions in a transportation benefit district, as provided under chapter 36.73 RCW, may petition the transportation benefit district for partial or full funding of supplemental transportation improvements as prescribed under section 3 of this act.
     (5) Supplemental transportation improvements must be consistent with the city's comprehensive plan under chapter 36.70A RCW.

Sec. 2   RCW 36.73.015 and 2006 c 311 s 24 are each amended to read as follows:
     The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (1) "District" means a transportation benefit district created under this chapter.
     (2) "City" means a city or town.
     (3) "Transportation improvement" means a project contained in the transportation plan of the state or a regional transportation planning organization. A project may include investment in new or existing highways of statewide significance, principal arterials of regional significance, high capacity transportation, public transportation, and other transportation projects and programs of regional or statewide significance including transportation demand management. Projects may also include the operation, preservation, and maintenance of these facilities or programs.
     (4) "Supplemental transportation improvement" or "supplemental improvement" means any project, work, or undertaking to provide public transit service, in addition to a district's existing or planned voter-approved transportation improvements, proposed by a participating city member of the district under section 3 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 36.73 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) In districts comprised of more than one member city, the legislative authorities of any member city that is located in a county having a population of more than one million five hundred thousand may petition the district to provide supplemental transportation improvements.
     (2) Upon receipt of a petition as provided in subsection (1) of this section for supplemental transportation improvements that are to be fully funded by the petitioner city, including ongoing operating and maintenance costs, the district must:
     (a) Conduct a public hearing, and provide notice and opportunity for public comment consistent with the requirements of RCW 36.73.050(1); and
     (b) Following the hearing, if a majority of the district's governing board determines that the proposed supplemental transportation improvements are in the public interest, the district shall adopt an ordinance providing for the incorporation of the supplemental improvements into any existing services. The supplemental transportation improvements must be in addition to existing services provided by the district. The district shall enter into agreements with the petitioner city or identified service providers to coordinate existing services with the supplemental improvements.
     (3) Upon receipt of a petition as provided in subsection (1) of this section for supplemental transportation improvements proposed to be partially or fully funded by the district, the district must:
     (a) Conduct a public hearing, and provide notice and opportunity for public comment consistent with the requirements of RCW 36.73.050(1); and
     (b) Following the hearing, submit a proposition to the voters at the next special or general election for approval by a majority of the voters in the district. The proposition must specify the supplemental transportation improvements to be provided and must estimate the capital, maintenance, and operating costs to be funded by the district.
     (4) If a proposition to incorporate supplemental transportation improvements is approved by the voters as provided under subsection (3) of this section, the district shall adopt an ordinance providing for the incorporation of the supplemental improvements into any existing services provided by the district. The supplemental improvements must be in addition to existing services. The district shall enter into agreements with the petitioner city or identified service providers to coordinate existing services with the supplemental improvements.
     (5) A supplemental transportation improvement must be consistent with the petitioner city's comprehensive plan under chapter 36.70A RCW.
     (6) Unless otherwise agreed to by the petitioner city or by a majority of the district's governing board, upon adoption of an ordinance under subsection (2) or (4) of this section, the district shall maintain its existing transit service levels in locations where supplemental transportation improvements are provided.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 35.58 RCW to read as follows:
     If the legislative authority of a city provides or contracts for supplemental transportation improvements, as described in section 1 of this act or under chapter 36.73 RCW, a metropolitan municipal corporation serving the city or border jurisdictions shall coordinate its services with the supplemental transportation improvements to maximize efficiencies in public transportation services within and across service boundaries.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   A new section is added to chapter 36.57A RCW to read as follows:
     If the legislative authority of a city provides or contracts for supplemental transportation improvements, as described in section 1 of this act or under chapter 36.73 RCW, a public transportation benefit area serving the city or border jurisdictions shall coordinate its services with the supplemental transportation improvements to maximize efficiencies in public transportation services within and across service boundaries.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   A new section is added to chapter 81.112 RCW to read as follows:
     If the legislative authority of a city provides or contracts for supplemental transportation improvements, as described in section 1 of this act or under chapter 36.73 RCW, a regional transit authority serving the city or border jurisdictions shall coordinate its services with the supplemental transportation improvements to maximize efficiencies in public transportation services within and across service boundaries.