READ FIRST TIME 02/04/10.   

     AN ACT Relating to transportation benefit districts; and amending RCW 36.73.020.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 36.73.020 and 2009 c 515 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The legislative authority of a county or city may establish a transportation benefit district within the county or city area or within the area specified in subsection (2) of this section, for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving, providing, and funding a transportation improvement within the district that is consistent with any existing state, regional, ((and)) or local transportation plans and necessitated by existing or reasonably foreseeable congestion levels. The transportation improvements shall be owned by the county of jurisdiction if located in an unincorporated area, by the city of jurisdiction if located in an incorporated area, or by the state in cases where the transportation improvement is or becomes a state highway. However, if deemed appropriate by the governing body of the transportation benefit district, a transportation improvement may be owned by a participating port district or transit district, unless otherwise prohibited by law. Transportation improvements shall be administered and maintained as other public streets, roads, highways, and transportation improvements. To the extent practicable, the district shall consider the following criteria when selecting transportation improvements:
     (a) Reduced risk of transportation facility failure and improved safety;
     (b) Improved travel time;
     (c) Improved air quality;
     (d) Increases in daily and peak period trip capacity;
     (e) Improved modal connectivity;
     (f) Improved freight mobility;
     (g) Cost-effectiveness of the investment;
     (h) Optimal performance of the system through time;
     (i) Improved accessibility for, or other benefits to, persons with special transportation needs as defined in RCW 47.06B.012; and
     (j) Other criteria, as adopted by the governing body.
     (2) Subject to subsection (6) of this section, the district may include area within more than one county, city, port district, county transportation authority, or public transportation benefit area, if the legislative authority of each participating jurisdiction has agreed to the inclusion as provided in an interlocal agreement adopted pursuant to chapter 39.34 RCW. However, the boundaries of the district need not include all territory within the boundaries of the participating jurisdictions comprising the district.
     (3) The members of the legislative authority proposing to establish the district, acting ex officio and independently, shall constitute the governing body of the district: PROVIDED, That where a district includes area within more than one jurisdiction under subsection (2) of this section, the district shall be governed under an interlocal agreement adopted pursuant to chapter 39.34 RCW((. However)), with the governing body ((shall be)) being composed of (a) at least five members including at least one elected official from the legislative authority of each participating jurisdiction or (b) the governing body of the metropolitan planning organization serving the district, but only if the district boundaries are identical to the boundaries of the metropolitan planning organization serving the district.
     (4) The treasurer of the jurisdiction proposing to establish the district shall act as the ex officio treasurer of the district, unless an interlocal agreement states otherwise.
     (5) The electors of the district shall all be registered voters residing within the district.
     (6) Prior to December 1, 2007, the authority under this section, regarding the establishment of or the participation in a district, shall not apply to:
     (a) Counties with a population greater than one million five hundred thousand persons and any adjoining counties with a population greater than five hundred thousand persons;
     (b) Cities with any area within the counties under (a) of this subsection; and
     (c) Other jurisdictions with any area within the counties under (a) of this subsection.