SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5960

As of February 25, 2003

Title: An act relating to prohibiting a regional transit authority from implementing a light rail transit system in certain areas.

Brief Description: Prohibiting a regional transit authority from implementing a light rail transit system in certain areas.

Sponsors: Senator Benton.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Highways & Transportation: 2/26/03.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Staff: Kelly Simpson (786-7403)

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 authority 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.

Summary of Bill: A regional transit authority may not spend money, incur debt, issue bonds, or enter into any agreement, for the purpose of implementing a light rail transit system in a county with a population over 1,500,000 persons.

However, a regional transit authority may spend money solely for the purpose of retiring debt, if any, relative to a light rail transit system, that was incurred prior to the effective date of this act.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.