BILL REQ. #:  H-1870.1 

Read first time 02/12/09.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to the Tacoma Narrows toll bridge account; and amending RCW 47.56.165.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 47.56.165 and 2006 c 17 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     A special account to be known as the Tacoma Narrows toll bridge account is created in the motor vehicle fund in the state treasury.
     (1) Deposits to the account must include:
     (a) All proceeds of bonds issued for construction of the Tacoma Narrows public-private initiative project, including any capitalized interest;
     (b) All of the toll charges and other revenues received from the operation of the Tacoma Narrows bridge as a toll facility, to be deposited at least monthly;
     (c) Any interest that may be earned from the deposit or investment of those revenues;
     (d) Notwithstanding RCW 47.12.063, proceeds from the sale of any surplus real property acquired for the purpose of building the second Tacoma Narrows bridge; and
     (e) All liquidated damages collected under any contract involving the construction of the second Tacoma Narrows bridge.
     (2) Proceeds of bonds shall be used consistent with RCW 47.46.130, including the reimbursement of expenses and fees incurred under agreements entered into under RCW 47.46.040 as required by those agreements.
     (3) Toll charges, other revenues, and interest may only be used to:
     (a) Pay ((any)) required costs ((of)) that contribute directly to the financing, operation, maintenance, and management and necessary emergency repairs of the tolled facility; and
     (b) Repay amounts to the motor vehicle fund as required under RCW 47.46.140.
     (4) Toll charges, other revenues, and interest may not be used to pay for costs that do not contribute directly to the financing, operation, maintenance, and management and necessary emergency repairs of the tolled facility including, but not limited to: Travel; private automobile mileage; lodging and out of state travel; light refreshments and meals; subscriptions; commute trip reduction incentives; cell phones and cell phone monthly service; employee recognition programs; and employee training and conferences.
     (5) The department shall make quarterly expenditure reports available to the public on the department's web site using current department resources.
     (6) When repaying the motor vehicle fund under RCW 47.46.140, the state treasurer shall transfer funds from the Tacoma Narrows toll bridge account to the motor vehicle fund on or before each debt service date for bonds issued for the Tacoma Narrows public-private initiative project in an amount sufficient to repay the motor vehicle fund for amounts transferred from that fund to the highway bond retirement fund to provide for any bond principal and interest due on that date. The state treasurer may establish subaccounts for the purpose of segregating toll charges, bond sale proceeds, and other revenues.