SB 6172-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

     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 state and interstate highways in urban regions;

     (3) Providing a comprehensive multimodal transportation system which provides efficient mobility choices for persons and freight requires a partnership between the state, local, and regional governments, and the private sector; and

     (4) Timely construction and development of congestion relief projects can best be achieved by establishing regional congestion relief districts.

     Declares that the district's plan may recommend the imposition of some or all of the following revenue sources:

     (1) A regional sales and use tax as a percent of the selling price, in the case of a sales tax, or value of the article used, in the case of a use tax.  The tax authorized under this section is in addition to the tax authorized by RCW 82.14.030 and must be collected from those persons who are taxable by the state under chapters 82.08 and 82.12 RCW upon the occurrence of a taxable event within the taxing district;

     (2) A vehicle license fee of up to seventy-five dollars for each vehicle registered in the district, except commercial vehicles as defined in RCW 46.04.140, per year on motor vehicles and trailers or trailing units.  The department of licensing shall administer and collect this fee on behalf of a district and remit this fee to the custody of the county treasurer, who shall distribute it as directed by a district;

     (3) A commercial vehicle fee of up to one hundred fifty dollars for each commercial vehicle as defined in RCW 46.04.140 registered in the district.  The department of licensing shall administer and collect this fee on behalf of a district and remit this fee to the custody of the county treasurer, who shall distribute it as directed by a district;

     (4) User fees on projects improved under this act;

     (5) A charge based upon the miles traveled by a vehicle registered in the district;

     (6) The county property levy provided in this act.

     No taxes may be imposed without a vote of the people within the district boundaries.

     Provides that, to assure accountability to the public for the timely construction of the transportation project or projects within cost projections, the district shall issue a public report every six months from the date the project begins to the date it concludes.  In the report, the district shall detail the progress of the project in two areas:  (1) Whether the project or projects costs-to-date are within the amount of revenue raised for the project or projects under the vote of the people as provided in section 3 of this act; and

     (2) Whether the project or projects are proceeding in accordance with the original construction schedule.  If the progress of the project is inconsistent with either the cost projections or timeliness, the district shall provide the public with a plan to move the project or projects back into compliance with the original construction schedule and cost projections.

     Provides that a county may impose additional regular property tax levies in an amount equal to fifty cents or less per thousand dollars of the assessed value of property in the county.  The tax will be imposed (1) each year for six consecutive years, (2) each year for ten consecutive years, or (3) permanently.  A tax levy under this section must be specifically authorized by a majority of at least three-fifths of the registered voters voting on the proposition and the number of persons voting "yes" on the proposition must constitute three-fifths of a number equal to forty percent of the total number of voters voting in the county at the last preceding general election.