Brief Description: Revising selection of regional transit authority boards.

Sponsors: Representatives Murray, Ericksen and Dickerson.

Hearing Date: 2/26/03

Staff: Gene Baxstrom (786-7303).

Background:

The King, Pierce, and Snohomish County Councils voted in 1993 to establish the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (now known as Sound Transit). Sound Transit is vested with high capacity transportation system development in the three county area, including the imposition of voter-approved taxes for development and operation of such transportation systems.

In 1996 voters in the urban areas of King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties approved a plan and authorized funding to provide high capacity transportation services for the Central Puget Sound Region.

The current Sound Transit Board (Board) is composed of 18 members who are city and county elected officials, with the exception of the Secretary of the Washington State Department of Transportation. Appointments are made by the county executive of each member county confirmed by each county legislation authority and are proportioned among counties based on population.

Summary of Bill:

Effective January 1, 2005, the Sound Transit Board is composed of nine members. The members are to be appointed as follows: one each by the county executive of each member county confirmed by the county council; one each by the mayors of the largest city in each of those counties and the mayor of any other city with a population of over 100,000 persons confirmed by each cities legislation authority; and two by the Governor. The Governor shall take into account the population and geographical representation on the Board in making appointments. The Secretary of Transportation is made a non-voting member of the Board.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 18, 2003.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on January 1, 2005.