reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.56 - Metropolitan Municipal Corporation Functions, etc.—Assumption by Counties. › 36.56.080 - Collective bargaining units or agreements.

RCW 36.56.080
Collective bargaining units or agreements.
Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to alter any existing collective bargaining unit or the provisions of any existing collective bargaining agreement until any such agreement has expired or until any such bargaining unit has been modified as provided by law.
[ 1977 ex.s. c 277 § 8.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.56 - Metropolitan Municipal Corporation Functions, etc.—Assumption by Counties. › 36.56.090 - Rules and regulations, pending business, contracts, obligations, validity of official acts.

RCW 36.56.090
Rules and regulations, pending business, contracts, obligations, validity of official acts.
All rules and regulations, and all pending business before the committees, divisions, boards, and other agencies of any metropolitan municipal corporation transferred pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be continued and acted upon by the county.
All existing contracts and obligations of the transferred metropolitan municipal corporation shall remain in full force and effect, and shall be performed by the county. No transfer authorized in this chapter shall affect the validity of any official act performed by any official or employee prior to the transfer authorized pursuant to *this amendatory act.
[ 1977 ex.s. c 277 § 9.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: "this amendatory act," see note following RCW 36.56.010.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.56 - Metropolitan Municipal Corporation Functions, etc.—Assumption by Counties. › 36.56.100 - Real and personal property—Reports, books, records, etc.—Funds, credits, assets—Appropriations or federal grants.

RCW 36.56.100
Real and personal property—Reports, books, records, etc.—Funds, credits, assets—Appropriations or federal grants.
When the rights, powers, functions, and obligations of a metropolitan municipal corporation are transferred pursuant to this chapter, all real and personal property owned by the metropolitan municipal corporation shall become that of the county.
All reports, documents, surveys, books, records, files, papers, or other writings relating to the administration of the powers, duties, and functions transferred pursuant to this chapter and available to the metropolitan municipal corporation shall be made available to the county.
All cabinets, furniture, office equipment, motor vehicles, and other tangible property employed in carrying out the rights, powers, functions, and obligations transferred by this chapter and available to the metropolitan municipal corporation shall be made available to the county.
All funds, credits, or other assets held in connection with powers, duties, and functions herein transferred shall be assigned to the county.
Any appropriations or federal grant made to any committee, division, board, or other department of a metropolitan municipal corporation for the purpose of carrying out the rights, powers, functions, and obligations authorized to be assumed by a county pursuant to this chapter shall on the effective date of such transfer be credited to the county for the purpose of carrying out such transferred rights, powers, functions, and obligations.
[ 1977 ex.s. c 277 § 10.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.56 - Metropolitan Municipal Corporation Functions, etc.—Assumption by Counties. › 36.56.110 - Debts and obligations.

RCW 36.56.110
Debts and obligations.
The county shall assume and agree to provide for the payment of all of the indebtedness of the metropolitan municipal corporation including the payment and retirement of outstanding general obligation and revenue bonds issued by the metropolitan municipal corporation. Until the indebtedness of a metropolitan municipal corporation thus assumed by a county has been discharged, all property within the boundaries of the metropolitan municipal corporation and the owners and occupants of that property, shall continue to be liable for taxes, special assessments, and other charges legally pledged to pay the indebtedness of the metropolitan municipal corporation. The county shall assume the obligation of causing the payment of such indebtedness, collecting such taxes, assessments, and charges and observing and performing the other contractual obligations of the metropolitan municipal corporation. The legislative authority of the county shall act in the same manner as the governing body of the metropolitan municipal corporation for the purpose of certifying the amount of any property tax to be levied and collected therein, and may cause service and other charges and assessments to be collected from such property or owners or occupants thereof, enforce such collection and perform all acts necessary to ensure performance of the contractual obligations of the metropolitan municipal corporation in the same manner and by the same means as if the property of the metropolitan municipal corporation had not been acquired by the county.
When a county assumes the obligation of paying indebtedness of a metropolitan municipal corporation and if property taxes or assessments have been levied and service and other charges have accrued for such purpose but have not been collected by the metropolitan municipal corporation prior to such assumption, the same when collected shall belong and be paid to the county and be used by such county so far as necessary for payment of the indebtedness of the metropolitan municipal corporation existing and unpaid on the date such county assumed that indebtedness. Any funds received by the county which have been collected for the purpose of paying any bonded or other indebtedness of the metropolitan municipal corporation shall be used for the purpose for which they were collected and for no other purpose until such indebtedness has been paid and retired or adequate provision has been made for such payment and retirement. No transfer of property as provided in *this act shall derogate from the claims or rights of the creditors of the metropolitan municipal corporation or impair the ability of the metropolitan municipal corporation to respond to its debts and obligations.
[ 1977 ex.s. c 277 § 11.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: "this act," see note following RCW 36.56.010.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.56 - Metropolitan Municipal Corporation Functions, etc.—Assumption by Counties. › 36.56.121 - Maintenance plan.

RCW 36.56.121
Maintenance plan.
As a condition of receiving state funding, a county that has assumed the transportation functions of a metropolitan municipal corporation shall submit a maintenance and preservation management plan for certification by the department of transportation. The plan must inventory all transportation system assets within the direction and control of the county, and provide a preservation plan based on lowest life-cycle cost methodologies.
[ 2006 c 334 § 29; 2003 c 363 § 303.]
NOTES:
Effective date—2006 c 334: See note following RCW 47.01.051.
Finding—Intent—2003 c 363: See note following RCW 35.84.060.
Part headings not law—Severability—2003 c 363: See notes following RCW 47.28.241.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.56 - Metropolitan Municipal Corporation Functions, etc.—Assumption by Counties. › 36.56.130 - Green electrolytic hydrogen and renewable hydrogen—Power to produce, distribute, and use.

RCW 36.56.130
Green electrolytic hydrogen and renewable hydrogen—Power to produce, distribute, and use.
(1) A county that has assumed the transportation functions of a metropolitan municipal corporation may:
(a) Produce, distribute, and use green electrolytic hydrogen and renewable hydrogen for internal operations;
(b) Produce, distribute for sale, or sell green electrolytic hydrogen and renewable hydrogen at wholesale or to an end-use customer; and
(c)(i) Sell green electrolytic hydrogen and renewable hydrogen at wholesale or to an end-use customer to or through facilities that distribute, compress, store, liquefy, or dispense green electrolytic hydrogen or renewable hydrogen for end use as a transportation fuel.
(ii) For the purposes of (c)(i) of this subsection, county-assumed metropolitan municipal corporations may own, operate, or own and operate pipelines or dispensing facilities for green electrolytic hydrogen or renewable hydrogen for end use as a transportation fuel if all such pipelines and dispensing facilities are: (A) Located in the area where the county-assumed metropolitan municipal corporation is authorized to provide public transportation service; (B) located within the area where the county-assumed metropolitan municipal corporation is authorized to provide public transportation service and are service connected; or (C) located within the area where the county-assumed metropolitan municipal corporation is authorized to provide public transportation service and are pursuant to a partnership or agreement with one or more public or private partners.
(2) Nothing in this section authorizes a county-assumed metropolitan municipal corporation to sell green electrolytic hydrogen or renewable hydrogen delivered by pipeline to an end-use customer of a gas company.
(3) Nothing in this section subjects a county-assumed metropolitan municipal corporation to the jurisdiction of the utilities and transportation commission, except that the utilities and transportation commission may administer and enforce state and federal pipeline safety requirements, as authorized in chapter 81.88 RCW, including applicable fees payable to the utilities and transportation commission.
(4) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(a) "Green electrolytic hydrogen" has the same meaning provided in RCW 54.04.190.
(b) "Renewable hydrogen" has the same meaning provided in RCW 54.04.190.
(c) "Gas company" has the same meaning provided in RCW 80.04.010.
[ 2023 c 234 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.56 - Metropolitan Municipal Corporation Functions, etc.—Assumption by Counties. › 36.56.900 - Severability—Construction—1977 ex.s. c 277.

RCW 36.56.900
Severability—Construction—1977 ex.s. c 277.
If any provision of this 1977 amendatory act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected. In the event the provisions in RCW 36.56.040 requiring approval by both the voters of a central city and the county voters residing outside of the central city are held to be invalid, then such provisions shall be severable and the ballot proposition on the transfer of the metropolitan municipal corporation to the county shall be decided by the majority vote of the voters voting thereon in a countywide election.
[ 1977 ex.s. c 277 § 14.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.56 - Metropolitan Municipal Corporation Functions, etc.—Assumption by Counties. › 36.56.910 - Effective date—1977 ex.s. c 277.

RCW 36.56.910
Effective date—1977 ex.s. c 277.
This 1977 amendatory act shall take effect July 1, 1978.
[ 1977 ex.s. c 277 § 15.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.57 - County Public Transportation Authority. › 36.57.010 - Definitions.

RCW 36.57.010
Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter the following definitions shall apply:
(1) "Authority" means the county transportation authority created pursuant to this chapter.
(2) "Population" means the number of residents as shown by the figures released for the most recent official state, federal, or county census, or population determination made by the office of financial management.
(3) "Public transportation function" means the transportation of passengers and their incidental baggage by means other than by chartered bus, sightseeing bus, together with the necessary passenger terminals and parking facilities or other properties necessary for passenger and vehicular access to and from such people-moving systems, and may include contracting for the provision of ambulance services for the transportation of the sick and injured: PROVIDED, That such contracting for ambulance services shall not include the exercise of eminent domain powers: PROVIDED, FURTHER, That nothing shall prohibit an authority from leasing its buses to private certified carriers or prohibit the county from providing school bus service.
[ 1981 c 319 § 1; 1979 c 151 § 39; 1974 ex.s. c 167 § 1.]
NOTES:
Population determinations, office of financial management: Chapter 43.62 RCW.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.57 - County Public Transportation Authority. › 36.57.020 - Public transportation authority authorized.

RCW 36.57.020
Public transportation authority authorized.
Every county, except a county in which a metropolitan municipal corporation is performing the function of public transportation on May 5, 1974, is authorized to create a county transportation authority which shall perform the function of public transportation. Such authority shall embrace all the territory within a single county and all cities and towns therein.
[ 1974 ex.s. c 167 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.57 - County Public Transportation Authority. › 36.57.030 - Membership—Compensation.

RCW 36.57.030
Membership—Compensation.
Every county which undertakes the transportation function pursuant to RCW 36.57.020 shall create by resolution of the county legislative body a county transportation authority which shall be composed as follows:
(1) The elected officials of the county legislative body, not to exceed three such elected officials;
(2) The mayor of the most populous city within the county;
(3) The mayor of a city with a population less than five thousand, to be selected by the mayors of all such cities within the county;
(4) The mayor of a city with a population greater than five thousand, excluding the most populous city, to be selected by the mayors of all such cities within the county: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That if there is no city with a population greater than five thousand, excluding the most populous city, then the sixth member who shall be an elected official, shall be selected by the other two mayors selected pursuant to subsections (2) and (3) of this section; and
(5) An individual recommended by the labor organization representing the public transportation employees within the county transportation authority. If the public transportation employees are represented by more than one labor organization, all such labor organizations shall select the nonvoting member by majority vote. The nonvoting member shall comply with all governing bylaws and policies of the authority. The chair or cochairs of the county transportation authority shall exclude the nonvoting member from attending any executive session held for the purpose of discussing negotiations with labor organizations. The chair or cochairs may exclude the nonvoting member from attending any other executive session.
The members of the authority shall be selected within sixty days after the date of the resolution creating such authority.
Any member of the authority who is a mayor or an elected official selected pursuant to subsection (4) of this section and whose office is not a full time position shall receive one hundred dollars for each day attending official meetings of the authority.
[ 2010 c 278 § 2; 1974 ex.s. c 167 § 3.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.57 - County Public Transportation Authority. › 36.57.050 - Chair—General manager.

RCW 36.57.050
Chair—General manager.
The authority shall elect a chair, and appoint a general manager who shall be experienced in administration, and who shall act as executive secretary to, and administrative officer for the authority. He or she shall also be empowered to employ such technical and other personnel as approved by the authority. The general manager shall be paid such salary and allowed such expenses as shall be determined by the authority. The general manager shall hold office at the pleasure of the authority, and shall not be removed until after notice is given him or her, and an opportunity for a hearing before the authority as to the reason for his or her removal.
[ 2009 c 549 § 4095; 1974 ex.s. c 167 § 5.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.57 - County Public Transportation Authority. › 36.57.060 - Transportation fund—Contributions.

RCW 36.57.060
Transportation fund—Contributions.
Each authority shall establish a fund to be designated as the "transportation fund", in which shall be placed all sums received by the authority from any source, and out of which shall be expended all sums disbursed by the authority. The county treasurer shall be the custodian of the fund, and the county auditor shall keep the record of the receipts and disbursements, and shall draw and the county treasurer shall honor and pay all warrants, which shall be approved before issuance and payment as directed by the authority.
The county and each city or town which is included in the authority shall contribute such sums towards the expense for maintaining and operating the authority as shall be agreed upon between them.
[ 1974 ex.s. c 167 § 6.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.57 - County Public Transportation Authority. › 36.57.070 - Public transportation plan.

RCW 36.57.070
Public transportation plan.
The authority shall adopt a public transportation plan. Such plan shall be a general comprehensive plan designed to best serve the residents of the entire county. Prior to adoption of the plan, the authority shall provide a minimum of sixty days during which sufficient hearings shall be held to provide interested persons an opportunity to participate in development of the plan.
[ 1974 ex.s. c 167 § 7.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.57 - County Public Transportation Authority. › 36.57.080 - Transfer of transportation powers and rights to authority—Funds—Contract indebtedness.

RCW 36.57.080
Transfer of transportation powers and rights to authority—Funds—Contract indebtedness.
On the effective date of the proposition approved by the voters in accord with RCW 35.95.040 or 82.14.045, as now or hereafter amended, the authority shall have and exercise all rights with respect to the construction, acquisition, maintenance, operation, extension, alteration, repair, control and management of passenger transportation which the county or any city located within such county shall have been previously empowered to exercise and such powers shall not thereafter be exercised by the county or such cities without the consent of the authority. The county and all cities within such county upon demand of the authority shall transfer to the authority all unexpended funds earmarked or budgeted from any source for public transportation, including funds receivable. The county in which an authority is located shall have the power to contract indebtedness and issue bonds pursuant to chapter 36.67 RCW to enable the authority to carry out the purposes of this chapter and RCW 35.95.040 or 82.14.045, as now or hereafter amended, and the purposes of this chapter and RCW 35.95.040 or 82.14.045, as now or hereafter amended, shall constitute a "county purpose" as that term is used in chapter 36.67 RCW.
[ 1975 1st ex.s. c 270 § 5; 1974 ex.s. c 167 § 8.]
NOTES:
Severability—Effective date—1975 1st ex.s. c 270: See notes following RCW 35.58.272.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.57 - County Public Transportation Authority. › 36.57.090 - Acquisition of existing transportation system—Assumption of labor contracts—Transfer of employees—Preservation of benefits—Collective bargaining.

RCW 36.57.090
Acquisition of existing transportation system—Assumption of labor contracts—Transfer of employees—Preservation of benefits—Collective bargaining.
A county transportation authority may acquire any existing transportation system by conveyance, sale, or lease. In any purchase from a county or city, the authority shall receive credit from the county or city for any federal assistance and state matching assistance used by the county or city in acquiring any portion of such system. The authority shall assume and observe all existing labor contracts relating to such system and, to the extent necessary for operation of facilities, all of the employees of such acquired transportation system whose duties are necessary to operate efficiently the facilities acquired shall be appointed to comparable positions to those which they held at the time of such transfer, and no employee or retired or pensioned employee of such systems shall be placed in any worse position with respect to pension seniority, wages, sick leave, vacation or other benefits that he or she enjoyed as an employee of such system prior to such acquisition. The authority shall engage in collective bargaining with the duly appointed representatives of any employee labor organization having existing contracts with the acquired transportation system and may enter into labor contracts with such employee labor organization.
[ 2009 c 549 § 4096; 1974 ex.s. c 167 § 9.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.57 - County Public Transportation Authority. › 36.57.100 - Counties authorized to perform public transportation function in unincorporated areas—Exceptions.

RCW 36.57.100
Counties authorized to perform public transportation function in unincorporated areas—Exceptions.
Every county, except a county in which a metropolitan municipal corporation is performing the public transportation function as of July 1, 1975, is authorized to perform such function in such portions of the unincorporated areas of the county, except within the boundaries of a public transportation benefit area established pursuant to chapter 36.57A RCW, as the county legislative body shall determine and the county shall have those powers as are specified in RCW 36.57.040 with respect to the provision of public transportation as is authorized pursuant to RCW 36.57.040.
[ 1975 1st ex.s. c 270 § 9.]
NOTES:
Severability—Effective date—1975 1st ex.s. c 270: See notes following RCW 35.58.272.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.57 - County Public Transportation Authority. › 36.57.110 - Boundaries of unincorporated transportation benefit areas.

RCW 36.57.110
Boundaries of unincorporated transportation benefit areas.
The legislative body of any county is hereby authorized to create and define the boundaries of unincorporated transportation benefit areas within the unincorporated areas of the county, following school district or election precinct lines, as far as practicable. Such areas shall include only those portions of the unincorporated area of the county which could reasonably assume to benefit from the provision of public transportation services.
[ 1975 1st ex.s. c 270 § 10.]
NOTES:
Severability—Effective date—1975 1st ex.s. c 270: See notes following RCW 35.58.272.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.57 - County Public Transportation Authority. › 36.57.130 - Public transportation for persons with special needs.

RCW 36.57.130
Public transportation for persons with special needs.
(1) Effective January 1, 2001, in addition to any other authority granted under this chapter, a county transportation authority may be created to purchase, acquire, maintain, operate, or lease transportation services, equipment, and facilities for public transportation limited only to persons with special needs by any method or combination of methods provided by the authority.
(2) As used in this section, "persons with special needs" means those persons, including their personal attendants, who because of physical or mental disability, income status, or age are unable to transport themselves or purchase transportation.
(3) The county transportation authority may fix, regulate, and control fares and rates to be charged for these transportation services.
[ 2001 c 89 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.57 - County Public Transportation Authority. › 36.57.140 - Green electrolytic hydrogen and renewable hydrogen—Power to produce, distribute, and use.

RCW 36.57.140
Green electrolytic hydrogen and renewable hydrogen—Power to produce, distribute, and use.
(1) A county public transportation authority as authorized under this chapter and an unincorporated transportation benefit area as authorized in RCW 36.57.100 may:
(a) Produce, distribute, and use green electrolytic hydrogen and renewable hydrogen for internal operations;
(b) Produce, distribute for sale, or sell green electrolytic hydrogen and renewable hydrogen at wholesale or to an end-use customer; and
(c)(i) Sell green electrolytic hydrogen and renewable hydrogen at wholesale or to an end-use customer to or through facilities that distribute, compress, store, liquefy, or dispense green electrolytic hydrogen or renewable hydrogen for end use as a transportation fuel.
(ii) For the purposes of (c)(i) of this subsection, county public transportation authorities and unincorporated transportation benefit areas may own, operate, or own and operate pipelines or dispensing facilities for green electrolytic hydrogen or renewable hydrogen for end use as a transportation fuel if all such pipelines and dispensing facilities are: (A) Located in the area where the county public transportation authority or unincorporated transportation benefit area is authorized to provide public transportation service; (B) located within the area where the county public transportation authority or unincorporated transportation benefit area is authorized to provide public transportation service and are service connected; or (C) located within the area where the county public transportation authority or unincorporated transportation benefit area is authorized to provide public transportation service and are pursuant to a partnership or agreement with one or more public or private partners.
(2) Nothing in this section authorizes a county public transportation authority or unincorporated transportation benefit area to sell green electrolytic hydrogen or renewable hydrogen delivered by pipeline to an end-use customer of a gas company.
(3) Nothing in this section subjects a county public transportation authority or unincorporated transportation benefit area to the jurisdiction of the utilities and transportation commission, except that the utilities and transportation commission may administer and enforce state and federal pipeline safety requirements, as authorized in chapter 81.88 RCW, including applicable fees payable to the utilities and transportation commission.
(4) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(a) "Green electrolytic hydrogen" has the same meaning provided in RCW 54.04.190.
(b) "Renewable hydrogen" has the same meaning provided in RCW 54.04.190.
(c) "Gas company" has the same meaning provided in RCW 80.04.010.
[ 2023 c 234 § 4.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.57A - Public Transportation Benefit Areas. › 36.57A.010 - Definitions.

RCW 36.57A.010
Definitions.
The definitions set forth in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "City" means an incorporated city or town.
(2) "City council" means the legislative body of any city or town.
(3) "Component city" means an incorporated city or town within a public transportation benefit area.
(4) "County legislative authority" means the board of county commissioners or the county council.
(5) "Population" means the number of residents as shown by the figures released for the most recent official state, federal, or county census, or population determination made by the office of financial management.
(6) "Proof of payment" means evidence of fare prepayment authorized by a public transportation benefit area for the use of buses or other modes of public transportation.
(7) "Public transportation benefit area" means a municipal corporation of the state of Washington created pursuant to this chapter.
(8) "Public transportation benefit area authority" or "authority" means the legislative body of a public transportation benefit area.
(9) "Public transportation improvement conference" or "conference" means the body established pursuant to RCW 36.57A.020 which shall be authorized to establish, subject to the provisions of RCW 36.57A.030, a public transportation benefit area pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
(10) "Public transportation service" means the transportation of packages, passengers, and their incidental baggage by means other than by chartered bus, sight-seeing bus, together with the necessary passenger terminals and parking facilities or other properties necessary for passenger and vehicular access to and from such people moving systems: PROVIDED, That nothing shall prohibit an authority from leasing its buses to private certified carriers or prohibit the authority from providing school bus service. "Public transportation service" includes passenger-only ferry service for those public transportation benefit areas eligible to provide passenger-only ferry service under RCW 36.57A.200.
[ 2008 c 123 § 10; 2003 c 83 § 209; 1983 c 65 § 1; 1979 c 151 § 40; 1975 1st ex.s. c 270 § 11.]
NOTES:
Alphabetization—2008 c 123: See note following RCW 35.58.020.
Findings—Intent—Captions, part headings not law—Severability—Effective date—2003 c 83: See notes following RCW 36.57A.200.
Severability—Effective date—1975 1st ex.s. c 270: See notes following RCW 35.58.272.
Population determinations, office of financial management: Chapter 43.62 RCW.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.57A - Public Transportation Benefit Areas. › 36.57A.020 - Public transportation improvement conference—Convening—Purpose—Multi-county conferences.

RCW 36.57A.020
Public transportation improvement conference—Convening—Purpose—Multi-county conferences.
The county legislative authority of every county with a population of forty thousand or more shall, and the legislative authority of every other county may, within ninety days of July 1, 1975, and as often thereafter as it deems necessary, and upon thirty days prior written notice addressed to the legislative body of each city within the county and with thirty days public notice, convene a public transportation improvement conference to be attended by an elected representative selected by the legislative body of each city, within such county, and by the county legislative authority. Such conference shall be for the purpose of evaluating the need for and the desirability of the creation of a public transportation benefit area within certain incorporated and unincorporated portions of the county to provide public transportation services within such area. In those counties where county officials believe the need for public transportation service extends across county boundaries so as to provide public transportation service in a metropolitan area, the county legislative bodies of two or more neighboring counties may elect to convene a multi-county conference. In addition, countywide conferences may be convened by resolution of the legislative bodies of two or more cities within the county, not to exceed one in any twelve-month period, or a petition signed by at least ten percent of the registered voters in the last general election of the city, county or city/county areas of a proposed benefit area. The chair of the conference shall be elected from the members at large.
[ 1991 c 363 § 73; 1975 1st ex.s. c 270 § 12.]
NOTES:
Purpose—Captions not law—1991 c 363: See notes following RCW 2.32.180.
Severability—Effective date—1975 1st ex.s. c 270: See notes following RCW 35.58.272.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.57A - Public Transportation Benefit Areas. › 36.57A.055 - Governing body—Periodic review of composition.

RCW 36.57A.055
Governing body—Periodic review of composition.
After a public transportation benefit area has been in existence for four years, members of the county legislative authority and the elected representative of each city within the boundaries of the public transportation benefit area shall review the composition of the governing body of the benefit area and change the composition of the governing body if the change is deemed appropriate. When determining if a change to the composition of the governing body is appropriate, the proportional representation requirements of RCW 36.57A.050 must be taken into consideration if the population of the county in which the public transportation benefit area is located is more than four hundred thousand and the county does not also contain a city with a population of seventy-five thousand or more operating a transit system pursuant to chapter 35.95 RCW, and the composition of the governing body must be changed if necessary to meet this requirement. The review shall be at a meeting of the designated representatives of the component county and cities, and the majority of those present shall constitute a quorum at such meeting. Twenty days notice of the meeting shall be given by the chief administrative officer of the public transportation benefit area authority. After the initial review, a review shall be held every four years.
If an area having a population greater than fifteen percent, or areas with a combined population of greater than twenty-five percent of the population of the existing public transportation benefit area as constituted at the last review meeting, annex to the public transportation benefit area, or if an area is added under RCW 36.57A.140(2), the representatives of the component county and cities shall meet within ninety days to review and change the composition of the governing body, if the change is deemed appropriate. This meeting is in addition to the regular four-year review meeting and shall be conducted pursuant to the same notice requirement and quorum provisions of the regular review.
[ 2018 c 154 § 2; 1991 c 318 § 16; 1983 c 65 § 4.]
NOTES:
Effective date—2018 c 154: See note following RCW 36.57A.050.
Intent—1991 c 318: See note following RCW 36.57A.040.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.57A - Public Transportation Benefit Areas. › 36.57A.060 - Comprehensive plan—Development—Elements.

RCW 36.57A.060
Comprehensive plan—Development—Elements.
The public transportation benefit area authority authorized pursuant to RCW 36.57A.050 shall develop a comprehensive transit plan for the area. Such plan shall include, but not be limited to the following elements:
(1) The levels of transit service that can be reasonably provided for various portions of the benefit area.
(2) The funding requirements, including local tax sources, state and federal funds, necessary to provide various levels of service within the area.
(3) The impact of such a transportation program on other transit systems operating within that county or adjacent counties.
(4) The future enlargement of the benefit area or the consolidation of such benefit area with other transit systems.
[ 1975 1st ex.s. c 270 § 16.]
NOTES:
Severability—Effective date—1975 1st ex.s. c 270: See notes following RCW 35.58.272.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.57A - Public Transportation Benefit Areas. › 36.57A.070 - Comprehensive plan—Review.

RCW 36.57A.070
Comprehensive plan—Review.
The comprehensive transit plan adopted by the authority shall be reviewed by the state department of transportation to determine:
(1) The completeness of service to be offered and the economic viability of the transit system proposed in such comprehensive transit plan;
(2) Whether such plan integrates the proposed transportation system with existing transportation modes and systems that serve the benefit area;
(3) Whether such plan coordinates that area's system and service with nearby public transportation systems;
(4) Whether such plan is eligible for matching state or federal funds.
[ 2006 c 334 § 30; 1985 c 6 § 5; 1975 1st ex.s. c 270 § 17.]
NOTES:
Effective date—2006 c 334: See note following RCW 47.01.051.
Severability—Effective date—1975 1st ex.s. c 270: See notes following RCW 35.58.272.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.57A - Public Transportation Benefit Areas. › 36.57A.080 - General powers.

RCW 36.57A.080
General powers.
In addition to the powers specifically granted by this chapter a public transportation benefit area shall have all powers which are necessary to carry out the purposes of the public transportation benefit area. A public transportation benefit area may contract with the United States or any agency thereof, any state or agency thereof, any other public transportation benefit area, any county, city, metropolitan municipal corporation, special district, or governmental agency, within or without the state, and any private person, firm or corporation for the purpose of receiving gifts or grants or securing loans or advances for preliminary planning and feasibility studies, or for the design, construction or operation of transportation facilities. In addition a public transportation benefit area may contract with any governmental agency or with any private person, firm or corporation for the use by either contracting party of all or any part of the facilities, structures, lands, interests in lands, air rights over lands and rights-of-way of all kinds which are owned, leased or held by the other party and for the purpose of planning, constructing or operating any facility or performing any service which the public transportation benefit area may be authorized to operate or perform, on such terms as may be agreed upon by the contracting parties. Before any contract for the lease or operation of any public transportation benefit area facilities shall be let to any private person, firm or corporation, a general schedule of rental rates for bus equipment with or without drivers shall be publicly posted applicable to all private certificated carriers, and for other facilities competitive bids shall first be called upon such notice, bidder qualifications and bid conditions as the public transportation benefit area authority shall determine.
A public transportation benefit area may sue and be sued in its corporate capacity in all courts and in all proceedings.
[ 1975 1st ex.s. c 270 § 18.]
NOTES:
Severability—Effective date—1975 1st ex.s. c 270: See notes following RCW 35.58.272.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.57A - Public Transportation Benefit Areas. › 36.57A.100 - Agreements with operators of local public transportation services—Operation without agreement prohibited—Purchase or condemnation of assets.

RCW 36.57A.100
Agreements with operators of local public transportation services—Operation without agreement prohibited—Purchase or condemnation of assets.
Except in accordance with an agreement made as provided in this section or in accordance with the provisions of RCW 36.57A.090(3) as now or hereafter amended, upon the effective date on which the public transportation benefit area commences to perform the public transportation service, no person or private corporation shall operate a local public passenger transportation service, including passenger-only ferry service, within the public transportation benefit area with the exception of taxis, buses owned or operated by a school district or private school, and buses owned or operated by any corporation or organization solely for the purposes of the corporation or organization and for the use of which no fee or fare is charged.
An agreement may be entered into between the public transportation benefit area authority and any person or corporation legally operating a local public passenger transportation service, including passenger-only ferry service, wholly within or partly within and partly without the public transportation benefit area and on said effective date under which such person or corporation may continue to operate such service or any part thereof for such time and upon such terms and conditions as provided in such agreement. Such agreement shall provide for a periodic review of the terms and conditions contained therein. Where any such local public passenger transportation service, including passenger-only ferry service, will be required to cease to operate within the public transportation benefit area, the public transportation benefit area authority may agree with the owner of such service to purchase the assets used in providing such service, or if no agreement can be reached, the public transportation benefit area authority shall condemn such assets in the manner and by the same procedure as is or may be provided by law for the condemnation of other properties for cities of the first class, except insofar as such laws may be inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter.
Wherever a privately owned public carrier operates wholly or partly within a public transportation benefit area, the Washington utilities and transportation commission shall continue to exercise jurisdiction over such operation as provided by law.
[ 2003 c 83 § 210; 1977 ex.s. c 44 § 4; 1975 1st ex.s. c 270 § 20.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—Captions, part headings not law—Severability—Effective date—2003 c 83: See notes following RCW 36.57A.200.
Severability—Effective date—1977 ex.s. c 44: See notes following RCW 36.57A.030.
Severability—Effective date—1975 1st ex.s. c 270: See notes following RCW 35.58.272.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.57A - Public Transportation Benefit Areas. › 36.57A.110 - Powers of component city concerning passenger transportation transferred to benefit area—Operation of system by city until acquired by benefit area—Consent.

RCW 36.57A.110
Powers of component city concerning passenger transportation transferred to benefit area—Operation of system by city until acquired by benefit area—Consent.
The public transportation benefit area shall have and exercise all rights with respect to the construction, acquisition, maintenance, operation, extension, alteration, repair, control and management of passenger transportation which any component city shall have been previously empowered to exercise and such powers shall not thereafter be exercised by such component cities without the consent of the public transportation benefit area: PROVIDED, That any city owning and operating a public transportation system on July 1, 1975 may continue to operate such system within such city until such system shall have been acquired by the public transportation benefit area and a public transportation benefit area may not acquire such system without the consent of the city council of such city.
[ 1975 1st ex.s. c 270 § 21.]
NOTES:
Severability—Effective date—1975 1st ex.s. c 270: See notes following RCW 35.58.272.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.57A - Public Transportation Benefit Areas. › 36.57A.120 - Acquisition of existing system—Labor contracts, employee rights preserved—Collective bargaining.

RCW 36.57A.120
Acquisition of existing system—Labor contracts, employee rights preserved—Collective bargaining.
If a public transportation benefit area shall acquire any existing transportation system, it shall assume and observe all existing labor contracts relating to such system and, to the extent necessary for operation of facilities, all of the employees of such acquired transportation system whose duties are necessary to operate efficiently the facilities acquired shall be appointed to comparable positions to those which they held at the time of such transfer, and no employee or retired or pensioned employee of such systems shall be placed in any worse position with respect to pension seniority, wages, sick leave, vacation or other benefits that he or she enjoyed as an employee of such system prior to such acquisition. The public transportation benefit area authority shall engage in collective bargaining with the duly appointed representatives of any employee labor organization having existing contracts with the acquired transportation system and may enter into labor contracts with such employee labor organization.
[ 2009 c 549 § 4098; 1975 1st ex.s. c 270 § 22.]
NOTES:
Severability—Effective date—1975 1st ex.s. c 270: See notes following RCW 35.58.272.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 36 - Counties › Chapter 36.57A - Public Transportation Benefit Areas. › 36.57A.140 - Annexation of additional area.

RCW 36.57A.140
Annexation of additional area.
(1) An election to authorize the annexation of territory contiguous to a public transportation benefit area may be called within the area to be annexed pursuant to resolution or petition in the following manner:
(a) By resolution of a public transportation benefit area authority when it determines that the best interests and general welfare of the public transportation benefit area would be served. The authority shall consider the question of areas to be annexed to the public transportation benefit area at least once every two years.
(b) By petition calling for such an election signed by at least four percent of the qualified voters residing within the area to be annexed and filed with the auditor of the county wherein the largest portion of the public transportation benefit area is located, and notice thereof shall be given to the authority. Upon receipt of such a petition, the auditor shall examine it and certify to the sufficiency of the signatures thereon.
(c) By resolution of a public transportation benefit area authority upon request of any city for annexation thereto.
(2) If the area proposed to be annexed is located within another county, the petition or resolution for annexation as set forth in subsection (1) of this section must be approved by the legislative authority of the county if the area is unincorporated or by the legislative authority of the city or town if the area is incorporated. Any annexation under this subsection must involve contiguous areas.
(3) The resolution or petition shall describe the boundaries of the area to be annexed. It shall require that there also be submitted to the electorate of the territory sought to be annexed a proposition authorizing the inclusion of the area within the public transportation benefit area and authorizing the imposition of such taxes authorized by law to be collected by the authority.
[ 1991 c 318 § 17; 1983 c 65 § 5; 1975 1st ex.s. c 270 § 24.]
NOTES:
Intent—1991 c 318: See note following RCW 36.57A.040.
Severability—Effective date—1975 1st ex.s. c 270: See notes following RCW 35.58.272.