5433-S2 AMH SIMP H3157.3

2SSB 5433  - H AMD TO H AMD (H-3322.1/09)755
     By Representative Simpson

ADOPTED 04/17/2009

     On page 10, after line 23 of the amendment, insert the following:

"NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   A new section is added to chapter 82.80 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) Subject to voter approval, a public transportation entity may fix and impose an annual congestion reduction tax, not to exceed twenty dollars per vehicle registered within the boundaries of the public transportation entity, for each vehicle subject to license tab fees under RCW 46.16.0621 and for each vehicle subject to gross weight fees under RCW 46.16.070 with an unladen weight of six thousand pounds or less. For purposes of this section, a "public transportation entity" includes public transportation benefit areas under chapter 36.57A RCW, metropolitan municipal corporations providing public transportation services under chapter 36.56 or 35.58 RCW, city-owned transit systems under chapter 35.58 RCW, county public transportation authorities under chapter 36.57 RCW, unincorporated transportation benefit areas under chapter 36.57 RCW, and regional transit authorities under chapter 81.112 RCW.
     (2) The department of licensing must administer and collect the tax for the relevant public transportation entity identified in subsection (1) of this section. The department of licensing must deduct a percentage amount, as provided by contract, not to exceed one percent of the taxes collected, for administration and collection expenses incurred by it. The department of licensing must remit remaining proceeds to the custody of the state treasurer. The state treasurer must distribute the proceeds to the public transportation entity on a monthly basis.
     (3) No tax under this section may be collected until six months after it has been approved by a majority of the voters within the public transportation entity's boundaries.
     (4) The congestion reduction tax under this section applies only when renewing a vehicle registration, and is effective upon the registration renewal date as provided by the department of licensing.
     (5) The following vehicles are exempt from the tax under this section:
     (a) Farm tractors or farm vehicles as defined in RCW 46.04.180 and 46.04.181;
     (b) Off-road and nonhighway vehicles as defined in RCW 46.09.020;
     (c) Vehicles registered under chapter 46.87 RCW and the international registration plan; and
     (d) Snowmobiles as defined in RCW 46.10.010.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 9   A new section is added to chapter 36.57A RCW to read as follows:
     In addition to other general and specific powers granted to a public transportation benefit area authority, the legislative authority of a public transportation benefit area may submit an authorizing proposition to the voters and if approved may impose an annual congestion reduction tax in accordance with section 8 of this act. The proposition must include a specific description of the public transportation services or improvements that will be funded by the congestion reduction tax.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 10   A new section is added to chapter 35.58 RCW to read as follows:
     In addition to other general and specific powers granted to metropolitan municipal corporations and city-owned transit systems, the legislative authorities of metropolitan municipal corporations and city-owned transit systems may submit an authorizing proposition to the voters within their respective boundaries and if approved may impose an annual congestion reduction tax in accordance with section 8 of this act. The proposition must include a specific description of the public transportation services or improvements that will be funded by the congestion reduction tax.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 11   A new section is added to chapter 36.57 RCW to read as follows:
     In addition to other general and specific powers granted to county public transportation authorities and unincorporated transportation benefit areas, the legislative authorities of a county public transportation authority and an unincorporated transportation benefit area may submit an authorizing proposition to the voters within their respective boundaries and if approved may impose an annual congestion reduction tax in accordance with section 8 of this act. The proposition must include a specific description of the public transportation services or improvements that will be funded by the congestion reduction tax.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 12   A new section is added to chapter 81.104 RCW to read as follows:
     In addition to other general and specific powers granted to regional transit authorities under this chapter and chapter 81.112 RCW, regional transit authorities may submit an authorizing proposition to the voters and if approved may impose an annual congestion reduction tax in accordance with section 8 of this act. The proposition must include a specific description of the public transportation services or improvements that will be funded by the congestion reduction tax."

     Renumber the remaining section consecutively.

EFFECT:  Authorizes public transportation systems, including public transportation benefit areas, unincorporated public transportation benefit areas, metropolitan municipal corporations, city-owned transits, county transportation authorities, and regional transit authorities, to seek voter approval of an annual congestion reduction tax of up to twenty dollars on vehicles registered within the benefit area.

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