Arizona 2022 Regular Session

Arizona House Bill HB2598 Compare Versions

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11 REFERENCE TITLE: transportation tax; election; Maricopa county. State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-fifth Legislature Second Regular Session 2022 HB 2598 Introduced by Representative Carroll AN ACT amending sections 28-304, 28-6301, 28-6302, 28-6303, 28-6304, 28-6305 and 28-6306, Arizona Revised Statutes; repealing section 28-6307, Arizona Revised Statutes; amending section 28-6308, Arizona Revised Statutes; repealing sections 28-6309, 28-6310, 28-6311 and 28-6312, arizona revised statutes; amending sections 28-6313 and 28-6351, Arizona Revised Statutes; repealing sections 28-6352, 28-6353, 28-6354 and 28-6355, Arizona Revised Statutes; amending title 28, chapter 17, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding a new section 28-6352; amending sections 28-6538, 28-6954, 28-7562, 28-7671, 28-7691, 28-7695 and 42-6105, Arizona Revised Statutes; amending title 42, chapter 6, article 3, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 42-6105.01; amending sections 48-5102 and 48-5103, Arizona Revised Statutes; repealing sections 48-5106 and 48-5121, Arizona Revised Statutes; relating to transportation planning and finance. (TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
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6868 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona: Section 1. Section 28-304, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read: START_STATUTE28-304. Powers and duties of the board; transportation facilities A. The board shall: 1. Develop and adopt a statewide transportation policy statement. The policy statement shall be adopted as described in section 28-306. 2. Adopt a long-range statewide transportation plan. The plan shall be adopted as described in section 28-307. 3. Adopt uniform transportation planning practices and performance based planning processes for use by the department. The practices and processes shall be developed as described in sections 28-502 and 28-503. 4. Adopt transportation system performance measures and factors and data collection standards to be used by the department. The performance measures, factors and standards shall be developed as described in sections 28-504 and 28-505. B. With respect to highways, the board shall: 1. Establish a complete system of state highway routes. 2. Determine which state highway routes or portions of the routes are accepted into the state highway system and which state highway routes to improve. 3. Establish, open, relocate or alter a portion of a state route or state highway. 4. Vacate or abandon a portion of a state route or state highway as prescribed in section 28-7209. 5. Sell board funding obligations to the state treasurer as provided in section 28-7678. C. The board shall: 1. Establish policies to guide the development or modification of the five year transportation facilities construction program that are consistent with the principles of performance based performance-based planning developed pursuant to article 7 of this chapter. The percentage of department discretionary monies allocated to the region in the regional transportation plan approved pursuant to chapter 17, article 1 of this title shall not increase or decrease unless the board, in cooperation with the regional planning agency, agrees to change the percentage of the discretionary monies. 2. Award all construction contracts for transportation facilities. 3. Monitor the status of these construction projects. D. The board shall determine priority program planning with respect to transportation facilities using the performance based performance-based methods developed pursuant to article 7 of this chapter. E. With respect to transportation facilities other than highways, the board shall establish, open, relocate, alter, vacate or abandon all or portions of the facilities. F. With respect to aeronautics, the board shall perform the functions prescribed in chapter 25 of this title. G. The board shall not spend any monies, adopt any rules or implement any policies or programs to convert signs to the metric system or to require the use of the metric system with respect to designing or preparing plans, specifications, estimates or other documents for any highway project before the conversion or use is required by federal law, except that the board may: 1. Spend monies and require the use of the metric system with respect to designing or preparing plans, specifications, estimates or other documents for a highway project that is awarded before October 1, 1997 and that is exclusively metric from its inception. 2. Prepare for conversion to and use of the metric system not more than six months before the conversion or use is required by federal law. END_STATUTE Sec. 2. Section 28-6301, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read: START_STATUTE28-6301. Definitions In this article, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. "Bond related Bond-related expenses" means: (a) Printing, publication or advertising expenses with respect to the sale and issuance of any bonds. (b) Fees, expenses and costs of registrars, paying agents and transfer agents retained by the board. (c) Fees, expenses and costs of attorneys, accountants, actuaries, feasibility consultants, computer programmers or other experts employed to aid in the sale and issuance of the bonds. (d) Other costs, fees and expenses incurred or reasonably related to the issuance, sale and administration of the bonds. 2. "Bond related Bond-related obligation" means any agreement or contractual relationship between the board and any bank, trust company, insurance company, surety bonding company, pension fund or other financial institution providing increased credit on, or security for, the bonds or liquidity for secondary market transactions. 3. "Bonds" means any bonds that are payable from the regional area road fund as provided in chapter 21, article 2 of this title. 4. "Construction interest" means a company whose primary function consists of building freeways, highways or major arterial streets. 5. "Controlled access highway" has the same meaning prescribed in section 28-601. 6. "Freight interest" means a company that derives a substantial portion of its revenue from transporting goods. 7. "Major amendment" means either: (a) The addition or deletion of a freeway, route on the state highway system or a fixed guideway transit system. (b) The addition or deletion of a portion of a freeway, route on the state highway system or a fixed guideway transit system that either exceeds one mile in length or exceeds an estimated cost of forty million dollars as provided in the regional transportation plan. (c) The modification of a transportation project in a manner that eliminates a connection between freeway facilities or fixed guideway facilities. 7. "Major arterial" means an interconnected thoroughfare whose primary function is to link areas in the region and to distribute traffic to and from controlled access highways, generally of regionwide significance and of varying capacity depending on the travel demand for the specific direction and adjacent land uses. 8. "Plan" has the same meaning prescribed in section 28-6351. 8. 9. "Population" means the population determined in the most recent United States decennial census or the most recent special census as provided in section 28-6532 and revisions to the decennial or special census certified by the United States bureau of the census. 9. 10. "Public transportation" means moving passengers by means of a conveyance operated by or for a political subdivision of this state, including dial-a-ride transportation, special needs transportation and van pool transportation but excluding school buses. 10. 11. "Public transportation system" means the combination of individuals, vehicles, physical facilities, structures and equipment that together provide, or facilitate providing, public transportation, including buses, high occupancy vehicle roadway lanes and ramps, bus pull-out lanes, bus and light rail waiting facilities, park and ride parking lots, intelligent transportation systems and ridesharing promotion. 11. 12. "Regionwide business" means a company that provides goods or services throughout the county. 12. 13. "Transit interest" means an individual with demonstrated interest and experience with public transportation. END_STATUTE Sec. 3. Section 28-6302, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read: START_STATUTE28-6302. Transportation excise tax distribution; counties with three million or more persons; regional area road fund A. In a county with a population of one three million two hundred thousand or more persons, the officer collecting transportation excise tax monies pursuant to section 42-6105 or 42-6105.01 that are designated for deposit in the regional area road fund shall immediately transfer the monies to the state treasurer. The state treasurer shall deposit the monies in a fund designated for the county as the regional area road fund. The state treasurer shall hold monies in the regional area road fund as a trustee for the county. B. Except as provided in this article, the county in which the transportation excise taxes are levied has the beneficial interest in the regional area road fund. This state has no beneficial interest in the regional area road fund except as an obligee for reimbursement of state monies that are advanced as salaries or expenses by this state or the department and that are to be repaid by the regional area road fund. C. Monies and investments within the regional area road fund may be used and spent only as provided in this chapter. An appropriation of any nature shall not be required before the expenditure of monies from the regional area road fund. Monies in the bond proceeds account or construction account of a regional area road fund may be obligated for payment in future years for the purpose of right-of-way acquisition subject to the limitations prescribed in sections 28-7001 and 28-7002, and section 42-6105, subsection D, paragraphs 1 and 2 and section 42-6105.01, subsection D, paragraph 1. The state treasurer shall make payments from the regional area road fund by check, and a warrant or voucher is not necessary. Subject to the powers granted to the board in chapter 21, article 2 of this title, the director shall administer monies deposited in the regional area road fund. END_STATUTE Sec. 4. Section 28-6303, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read: START_STATUTE28-6303. Regional area road fund; separate accounts A. The regional area road fund is divided into three separate accounts designated as the bond account, the construction account and the bond proceeds account. B. The state treasurer shall: 1. Account separately for each account. 2. Make transfers between accounts only as provided in this article or chapter 21, article 2 of this title. 3. Before any bonds are issued, deposit transportation excise tax revenues transferred to the state treasurer in the construction account. These revenues shall be expended as provided in this article. 4. After any bonds are issued, deposit transportation excise tax revenues transferred to the state treasurer in the bond account first until the bond account contains monies sufficient to meet all principal, interest or redemption requirements for the current period as required by any resolution of the board pertaining to the issuance of bonds. 5. After all current period requirements for all of the bonds are deposited in the bond account, deposit the balance of transportation excise tax revenues transferred to the state treasurer for the current period in the construction account. C. The state treasurer may: 1. Invest monies in any account of the regional area road fund in any securities or obligations authorized by title 35, chapter 2, article 2. 2. For the purpose of investments, commingle monies within the regional area road fund with state monies if all interest earned on the monies in the regional area road fund of a county is credited to the respective account of the regional area road fund in which the investment was made. D. The department shall separately account for the uses of transportation excise tax revenues deposited into the bond account and the construction account in order to identify how the transportation excise tax revenues are used pursuant to section 42-6105, subsection D, paragraphs 1 and 2, for: 1. Freeways and other routes in the state highway system. 2. Major arterial streets and intersection improvements regional programs identified in the plan, including capital expense and implementation studies. E. The department shall separately account for the uses of transportation excise tax revenues deposited in the bond account and the construction account in order to identify how the transportation excise tax revenues are used pursuant to section 42-6105.01, subsection D, paragraph 1 for: 1. Freeways and other routes in the state highway system. 2. Major arterial streets and regional programs identified in the plan, including capital expense and implementation studies. END_STATUTE Sec. 5. Section 28-6304, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read: START_STATUTE28-6304. Bond account; expenditures A. The state treasurer shall: 1. Hold monies in the bond account in trust for the owners of the bonds. 2. Pay monies in the bond account to the county, to paying agents or to the owners of the bonds directly in accordance with a resolution of the board authorizing the issuance of the bonds. B. Monies in the bond account may be used: 1. To pay bond related bond-related expenses or recurring expenses pertaining to administration and payment of the bonds. 2. For funding reserves for the payment of the bonds. 3. For payment of fees, charges and expenses incurred with respect to bond related bond-related obligations. C. Monies in the bond proceeds account may be obligated or spent as directed by the board, according to the plan, for the: 1. Payment of all bond related bond-related expenses. 2. Establishment and funding of reserve monies or to pay interest on bonds during the expected period of construction. 3. Payment of fees, charges and expenses incurred with respect to bond related bond-related obligations. 4. Design, right-of-way purchase or construction related to new, or improvements to, freeways and other routes in the state highway system that are included in the regional transportation plan of the county and that are accepted into the state highway system. 5. Design, right-of-way purchase or construction related to new, or improvements to, major arterial streets and intersections that are included in the regional transportation plan of the county. For the purposes of this paragraph, "major arterial" means an interconnected thoroughfare whose primary function is to link areas in the region and to distribute traffic to and from controlled access highways, generally of regionwide significance and of varying capacity depending on the travel demand for the specific direction and adjacent land uses. 6. Design and construction of interim roadways within the adopted corridors of the regional transportation plan of the county pursuant to section 28-6309. 7. Right-of-way costs associated with the construction of interim roadways pursuant to section 28-6310. 8. 6. Payment of principal and interest on the bonds. 7. Design, construction and implementation of regional programs as defined by the plan. END_STATUTE Sec. 6. Section 28-6305, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read: START_STATUTE28-6305. Construction account; expenditures; construction contracts A. Except as provided in subsection B of this section, monies in the construction account of the regional area road fund shall be spent, pledged or accumulated for the purposes provided in section 28-6304, subsection C, paragraphs 4 and 5, including payment of interest on and repayment of bonds and obligations issued pursuant to chapter 21 of this title if the proceeds of the bonds or obligations are used for the purposes provided in section 28-6304, subsection C, paragraphs 4 and 5. B. Of the monies deposited in the construction account of the regional area road fund under section 28-6303, the state treasurer shall: 1. In each fiscal year, divide and equally distribute five million dollars $5,000,000 to: (a) The public transportation fund established in that county under section 48-5103. (b) The regional planning agency in that county for planning and administration of administering the regional transportation plan approved pursuant to section 28-6308. The state treasurer shall distribute monies under this subdivision through the department on or before June 30 of each year. 2. Beginning with fiscal year 1987-1988, adjust the monies distributed under paragraph 1 of this subsection by the annual percentage change for the previous calendar year in the GDP price deflator as defined in section 41-563. C. The monies distributed under subsection B of this section shall only be spent for planning and administering the regional transportation plan approved pursuant to section 28-6308 and the costs incurred by the auditor general relating to performance audits under section 28-6313. Before the beginning of each fiscal year, the respective governing bodies of the members of the regional planning agency and the board of directors of the regional public transportation authority shall explicitly identify and approve in the annual budgets the monies to be spent under subsection B of this section for the purposes allowed under this subsection. These expenditures are subject to the annual audit of the governing bodies' financial transactions. D. The director may enter into construction contracts or contracts incidental to construction contracts payable from monies in either the bond proceeds account or the construction account or both the bond proceeds and construction accounts. END_STATUTE Sec. 7. Section 28-6306, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read: START_STATUTE28-6306. Account expenditures; elections A. Except as provided in subsection B of this section, monies from any account in the regional area road fund shall not be spent to promote or advocate a position, alternative or outcome of an election, to influence public opinion or to pay or contract for consultants or advisors to influence public opinion with respect to an election regarding taxes or other sources of revenue for the fund or regarding the regional transportation plan. B. Monies from any account in the regional area road fund may be spent: 1. As authorized by this article to determine public opinion before the election is called. 2. For costs specifically incurred with respect to a ballot issue relating to a county transportation excise tax in a county with a population of one three million two hundred thousand or more persons. END_STATUTE Sec. 8. Repeal Section 28-6307, Arizona Revised Statutes, is repealed. Sec. 9. Section 28-6308, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read: START_STATUTE28-6308. Regional planning agency transportation policy committee A. The regional planning agency in the county shall establish a transportation policy committee consisting of twenty-three the following members as follows: 1. Seventeen members of the regional planning agency, including one member of the state transportation board who represents the county, one member of the county board of supervisors and one member representing who represents Indian communities in the county. 2. Six members who represent regionwide business interests, one of whom must represent transit interests, one of whom must represent freight interests and one of whom must represent construction interests. The president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives shall each appoint three members to the committee pursuant to this paragraph. Members who are appointed pursuant to this paragraph serve six-year terms. The chairperson of the regional planning agency may submit names to the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives for consideration for appointment to the transportation policy committee. 3. Beginning fiscal year 2023-2024, two members who represent unincorporated areas of a county that has a population of three million or more persons. The president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives shall each appoint one member pursuant to this subsection. Members who are appointed pursuant to this subsection serve six-year terms. B. Through the regional planning agency, the transportation policy committee by a majority vote of the members shall do all of the following: 1. By a majority vote of the members, Recommend approval, disapproval or modification of a twenty-year comprehensive, performance-based, multimodal and coordinated regional transportation plan in the county, including transportation corridors by priority and a schedule indicating the dates that construction will commence for projects contained in the plan. 2. Develop the plan in cooperation with the regional public transportation authority in the county and the department of transportation and in consultation with the county board of supervisors, Indian communities and cities and towns in the county. 3. Submit the plan for review by the regional public transportation authority in the county, the state board of transportation, the county board of supervisors, Indian communities and cities and towns in the county at the alternatives stage of the plan and the final draft stage of the plan. After reviewing the plan, the regional public transportation authority in the county, the county board of supervisors and the state board of transportation, by majority vote of the members of each entity within thirty days after receiving the plan, shall submit a written recommendation to the transportation policy committee that the plan be approved, modified or disapproved. Within thirty days after receiving the plan, Indian communities and cities and towns in the county may submit a written recommendation to the transportation policy committee that the plan be approved, modified or disapproved. 4. Consider plan modifications proposed by any of the entities as prescribed in paragraph 3 of this subsection. 5. By majority vote, approve, disapprove or further modify each proposed plan modification. 6. Provide a written response to the regional public transportation authority, the state board of transportation, the county board of supervisors and the entity that submitted the proposed modification within thirty days after the vote on the proposed modification explaining the affirmation, rejection or further modification of each proposed modification. 7. Recommend the plan to the regional planning agency for approval for an air quality conformity analysis. C. The regional transportation plan: 1. Shall include the following transportation mode classifications with a revenue allocation to each classification consistent with section 42-6105, subsection D: (a) Freeways and other routes in the state highway system. (b) Major arterial streets and intersection improvements. (c) Public transportation systems. 2. Shall provide a suggested construction schedule for the transportation projects contained in the plan. 3. May be annually updated to introduce new controlled access highways, related grade separations and transportation projects or to modify the existing plan. 4. Shall be developed to meet federal air quality requirements established for the region in which it is located. D. Transportation excise tax revenues that are distributed pursuant to section 42-6105, subsection D shall not be redistributed or used for other transportation modes. Except as provided by section 28-6353, subsections D, E and F, transportation excise tax revenues that are dedicated in the plan to a specific project or transportation system may only be redistributed to or otherwise used for another project within the same transportation mode if approved by a majority vote of the transportation policy committee. 3. Recommend approval, disapproval or modification of changes to the allocations of transportation excise tax revenues between section 28-6352, subsection B, paragraphs 1, 2 and 3, including investment changes as described in section 28-6352, subsections C and H. 4. Recommend approval, disapproval or modification of the budget processes identified by section 28-6352, subsection D. 5. Recommend approval, disapproval, or modification of funding awarded through the regional programs process. END_STATUTE Sec. 10. Repeal Sections 28-6309, 28-6310, 28-6311 and 28-6312, Arizona Revised Statutes, are repealed. Sec. 11. Section 28-6313, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read: START_STATUTE28-6313. Performance audits of proposed transportation projects and systems A. Beginning in 2010 and every fifth year thereafter, the auditor general shall may contract with a nationally recognized independent auditor with expertise in evaluating multimodal transportation systems and in regional transportation planning to conduct a performance audit, as defined in section 41-1278, of the regional transportation plan and projects scheduled for funding during the next five years. B. With respect to light rail systems, the audit shall consider the criteria used by the federal transit administration pursuant to 49 United States Code section 5309(e)(1)(B) and the interrelationship among the criteria to provide federal funding for light rail systems. For light rail systems, the audit shall also consider: 1. Service levels. 2. Capital costs. 3. Operation and maintenance costs. 4. Transit ridership. 5. Farebox revenues. C. The audit shall: 1. Examine the regional transportation plan and projects scheduled for funding within each transportation mode based on the performance factors established in section 28-505, subsection A, in the context of the transportation system. 2. Review past expenditures of the regional transportation plan and examine the performance of the system in relieving congestion and improving mobility. 3. Make recommendations regarding whether further implementation of a project or transportation system is warranted, warranted with modifications or not warranted. D. The auditor general or the auditors contracted to conduct the audit shall periodically update the transportation policy committee regarding the progress of the audit. E. Within forty-five days after the release of the audit, the regional public transportation authority, the state transportation board and the county board of supervisors, by a majority vote of each entity, shall submit written recommendations to the transportation policy committee that the findings are agreed to or disagreed with and the recommendations should be implemented, be implemented with modification or not be implemented. F. Within forty-five days after the audit's release, the regional planning agency shall hold a public hearing on the audit findings and recommendations. G. The auditor general shall distribute copies of the audit to: 1. The regional planning agency. 2. The transportation policy committee. 3. The regional public transportation authority in the county. 4. The county board of supervisors. 5. The state transportation board. 6. The governor, secretary of state, president of the senate and speaker of the house of representatives. 7. The Arizona state library, archives and public records. 8. Any other person who requests a copy pursuant to title 39, chapter 1, article 2. H. The state transportation board, regional planning agency, regional public transportation authority and county board of supervisors shall cooperate with and submit to the auditor general and the auditors contracted to conduct the audit information necessary to conduct the audits under this section. I. The cost incurred by the auditor general in contracting with independent auditors for conducting performance audits under subsection A of this section shall be paid from revenues of the county transportation excise tax under section sections 42-6105 and 42-6105.01. When due, the payments have priority over any other distribution authorized by section 42-6105 or 42-6105.01. The auditor general shall deposit the payments in the audit services revolving fund established by section 41-1279.06. END_STATUTE Sec. 12. Heading change The article heading of title 28, chapter 17, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, is changed from "REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN" to "COUNTY TRANSPORTATION EXCISE TAX PLAN". Sec. 13. Section 28-6351, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read: START_STATUTE28-6351. Definitions In this article, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. "Controlled access highway" has the same meaning prescribed in section 28-601. 2. 1. "Enhancement" means an addition that exceeds generally accepted engineering or design standards for the specific type of facility. 3. 2. "Regional transportation Plan" means the twenty year comprehensive, performance based performance-based, multimodal and coordinated regional strategic transportation infrastructure investment plan approved for the county pursuant to section 28-6308, as amended or otherwise modified. END_STATUTE Sec. 14. Repeal Sections 28-6352, 28-6353, 28-6354 and 28-6355, Arizona Revised Statutes, are repealed. Sec. 15. Title 28, chapter 17, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section 28-6352, to read: START_STATUTE28-6352. County transportation excise tax; budget process A. The regional planning agency in the county shall develop and adopt a plan. The plan shall be multimodal and shall be developed in cooperation with state and local public transportation authorities and operators and in coordination with the department. B. The plan shall allocate revenue collected under section 42-6105.01 as follows: 1. In the regional area road fund for freeways and other routes in the state highway system, including capital expense and maintenance. 2. In the regional area road fund for major arterial streets and regional programs, including capital expense and implementation studies. 3. In the Public transportation fund established by section 48-5103 for: (a) Capital costs, maintenance and operation of public transportation mode classifications. (b) Capital costs and utility relocation costs associated with the light rail system. C. Transportation excise tax revenues that are allocated pursuant to subsection B, paragraph 1, 2 or 3 of this section may only be reallocated to another paragraph under subsection B of this section if the reallocation is recommended for approval by the transportation policy committee and approved by the regional planning agency board. Not more than two and one-half percent of the revenues collected under section 42-6105.01 may be transferred annually between subsection B, paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of this section without going through the major investment change process as prescribed in subsection H of this section. D. Beginning fiscal year 2022-2023, the regional planning agency shall adopt a budget process that ensures: 1. The estimated cost of the freeways and other routes in the region's state highway system does not exceed the total amount of revenues estimated to be available over the term of the transportation excise tax as prescribed by section 42-6105, subsection C and section 42-6105.01, subsection C. 2. The estimated cost of the public transportation system does not exceed the total amount of revenues estimated to be available over the term of the transportation excise tax as prescribed by section 42-6105, subsection C and section 42-6105.01, subsection C. 3. The estimated cost of major arterial streets and regional programs does not exceed the total amount of revenues estimated to be available over the term of the transportation excise tax as prescribed by section 42-6105, subsection C and section 42-6105.01, subsection C. E. The regional planning agency shall coordinate with implementing partners on the budget process prescribed in subsection D of this section, Including the department for freeways and other routes in the state highway system and the regional public transportation authority in the county for the public transportation system. F. The regional planning agency shall determine the use of the revenues collected under sections 42-6105 and 42-6105.01 for capital projects through the transportation improvement program. G. Any bonds issued against proceeds collected pursuant to sections 42-6105 and 42-6105.01 require consultation with the regional planning agency. H. The major investment change process requires the following: 1. Consideration by the transportation policy committee. 2. Identification of the projects and programs that would be impacted by the funding transfer. 3. A detailed, performance-based assessment of the impacted projects and programs. The performance-based assessment must support the proposed major investment change. The assessment shall also seek, consider and document public input on the proposed major investment change. 4. A one hundred eighty-day public comment period. 5. Submission of the proposed major investment change for review by the regional public transportation authority in the county, the state board of transportation and the county board of supervisors. After review, the regional public transportation authority in the county, the state board of transportation and the county board of supervisors, by a majority vote of the members of each board and within thirty days after receiving the proposed major investment change, shall submit a written recommendation to the regional planning agency that the proposed major investment change be approved, modified or disapproved. If the regional public transportation authority in the county, the state board of transportation or the county board of supervisors fails to approve the proposed major investment change, an affirmative vote of seventeen members of the transportation policy committee is required to recommend approval and proceed with the major investment change. I. The regional planning agency shall annually report on the status of the projects funded pursuant to section 42-6105 or 42-6105.01 and shall post the report on its website. J. Requests for changes to transportation projects funded in the plan that would materially increase costs shall be submitted to the regional planning agency for approval and submitted by the regional planning agency to the transportation policy committee and the board for consideration and approval. K. If a local authority requests an enhancement to a transportation project funded in the plan, the local authority shall pay all costs associated with the enhancement. L. The plan shall reflect the allocation of revenues collected under section 42-6105, subsection D through December 31, 2025. M. The budget process prescribed in subsection D of this section does not apply to the annual operating budget of the regional public transportation authority in the county. N. If monies are appropriated by the legislature for a project that is identified in the plan, the use of the monies for construction requires both of the following: 1. The project must be advanced as appropriate to reflect the estimated construction start date. 2. The monies must be used in the same modal classification specified in subsection B of this section. o. If a municipality pays for public transportation service in an adjacent municipality or unincorporated area of a county, the cost of the service shall be eligible for reimbursement from monies collected under section 42-6105 or 42-6105.01. For the purposes of this subsection: 1. "Municipality" means a city or town. 2. "Public transportation service" includes circulator service. END_STATUTE Sec. 16. Section 28-6538, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read: START_STATUTE28-6538. Arizona highway user revenue fund distribution; remaining monies; highway fund distribution; contract authorization; plan requirements A. Each fiscal year the department shall allocate and the state treasurer shall distribute revenues of the Arizona highway user revenue fund remaining after the distribution provided in sections 28-6534 and 28-6537 as follows: 1. To the state highway fund, fifty and one-half per cent percent. 2. To the counties, nineteen per cent percent. 3. To the incorporated cities and towns, twenty-seven and one-half per cent percent. 4. To incorporated cities with a population of three hundred thousand or more persons, three per cent percent. B. At least twelve and six-tenths per cent percent of the revenues allocated each year to the state highway fund pursuant to subsection A of this section shall be further distributed in the following proportions and for the following purposes: 1. Seventy-five per cent percent of the revenues shall be spent, pledged or accumulated in counties with a population of one million five hundred thousand or more persons for the design, right-of-way purchase or construction of controlled access highways that are included in the regional transportation plan of the county as defined in section 28-6351 and that are accepted into the state highway system either as a state route or as a state highway. 2. Twenty-five per cent percent of the revenues shall be spent, pledged or accumulated in counties with a population of more than eight hundred thousand but less than one million five hundred thousand persons for: (a) The design, right-of-way purchase or construction of controlled access highways that are included in the regional transportation plan of the county as defined in section 28-6351 and that are accepted into the state highway system either as a state route or as a state highway or related grade separations of controlled access highways that are included in the regional transportation plan of the county as defined in section 28-6351. (b) Notwithstanding sections 28-6993 and 28-6995, the design, right-of-way purchase, construction, standard and reduced clearance grade separation, extension and widening of arterial streets and highways that are included in the regional transportation plan of the county as defined in section 28-6351. C. Of the monies allocated to the state highway fund pursuant to subsection A of this section, not more than five million dollars $5,000,000 annually shall be spent for the acquisition, construction or improvement of entry roads to state parks or roads in state parks. D. Expenditures for state matching monies for the federal interstate system shall be in addition to the amount provided in subsection B of this section. E. The department may contract with a county, city or town to allow the county, city or town to construct the streets or highways prescribed in subsection B of this section. F. A county described in subsection B of this section and the cities and towns in the county, through their regional planning agency, shall list transportation corridors by priority in the regional transportation plan as defined in section 28-6351. The regional transportation plan as defined in section 28-6351 may also provide a suggested construction schedule for the transportation corridors contained in the plan. END_STATUTE Sec. 17. Section 28-6954, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read: START_STATUTE28-6954. Program requirements A. The five year transportation facilities construction program shall: 1. Set forth estimated expenditures by project for engineering, rights-of-way and construction. 2. Include detailed information by project as to location, description and the reasons for the project's assigned priority. 3. List projects by priority and group them in the fiscal year during which it is estimated construction can begin. 4. For the first year of the program, consist of projects that can with reasonable certainty be advertised for public bidding. 5. Include a plan for the use of monies expected to be deposited in a county's regional area road fund as provided in chapter 17, article 1 of this title that is all of the following: (a) consistent with the plan as defined in section 28-6351. (b) Consistent with the project budget process specified in SECTION 28-6352, subsection D, paragraph 1. (c) Annually updated. 6. Include a plan for the use of monies that are expected to accrue in a county's regional transportation fund as provided in section 48-5310, that are dedicated for street and highway purposes and that are in the state highway system. B. The department shall develop and use detailed criteria designed to meet the transportation system performance measures adopted by the board pursuant to section 28-304 in identifying projects for the five year transportation facilities construction program. The project selection process shall also conform to state and regional growth policies. END_STATUTE Sec. 18. Section 28-7562, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read: START_STATUTE28-7562. Bond requirements A. The bonds authorized by this article shall: 1. Be authorized by resolution of the board. 2. Bear such date or dates and mature at such time or times, not exceeding the earlier of twenty twenty-five years from their respective dates or the date the transportation excise taxes securing the bonds cease, as the resolution or resolutions may provide. 3. Bear interest at such rate or rates, including rates that may vary from time to time pursuant to parameters set by the board in the authorizing resolution. 4. Be in the denomination, be in the form, either coupon or registered, be executed in the manner and be payable as to principal, interest or premium in the medium of payment at the office of the state treasurer of this state or at such other place or places as the board provides either by automatic deposit, wire transfer or mail, as the resolution or resolutions may provide. 5. Be subject to the terms of redemption, at the option of either the board or the owner of the bond, as the resolution or resolutions may provide. B. The bonds may be sold at either public or private sale, above, at or below par and on terms the board determines. Bonds to fund or refund other bonds may be exchanged with the holders of bonds being funded or refunded on terms the board determines. END_STATUTE Sec. 19. Section 28-7671, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read: START_STATUTE28-7671. Definitions In this article, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. "Eligible highway project" means a highway project that is both: (a) On the federal aid system, national highway system or state route or state highway system. (b) Included in either: (i) The department's state highway construction plan. (ii) The transportation improvement plan of a regional association of governments. 2. "Eligible transit capital project" means land, buildings or motor vehicles or a combination of land, buildings and motor vehicles that is included in the transportation improvement plan of a regional association of governments and that is part of the federal transit administration's rural public transportation program for entities that are eligible pursuant to section 28-7676 and that have populations of less than fifty thousand persons. 3. "Eligible transportation project" means a transportation project that is eligible pursuant to section 28-7676. 4. "Federal SIB act" means section 350 of the national highway system designation act of 1995 (P.L. 104-59; 109 Stat. 618), any regulations adopted pursuant to that section and any other provisions of federal law providing for state infrastructure banks, infrastructure credit programs and other grant programs for highway purposes and any regulations adopted pursuant to those laws. 5. "Fund" means the highway expansion and extension loan program fund established by section 28-7674. 6. "Indian tribe" means any Indian tribe, band, group or community that is recognized by the United States secretary of the interior and that exercises governmental authority within the limits of any Indian reservation under the jurisdiction of the United States government, notwithstanding the issuance of any patent and including rights-of-way running through the reservation. 7. "Loan repayment agreement" means one or more loan agreements, instruments or other agreements providing for repayment of a loan or other financial assistance and entered into by this state or its agencies, including the department, or a political subdivision or Indian tribe. 8. "Political subdivision" means a county, city, town or special taxing district authorized by law to construct or assist in the construction of an eligible highway project or a county, city, town or special taxing district established pursuant to section 48-5102 to construct or assist in the construction of a transportation project. 9. "SIB cooperative agreement" means a cooperative agreement or agreements entered into by the Arizona department of transportation with the United States department of transportation pursuant to this article and the federal SIB act. 10. "Transportation project" means all or a portion of a project that is included in the state's transportation improvement program or a regional transportation plan, as defined in section 28-6351, including the project planning, environmental work, design, right-of-way acquisition or construction for the transportation project and associated rolling stock and operating systems but not including an eligible highway project. END_STATUTE Sec. 20. Section 28-7691, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read: START_STATUTE28-7691. Definitions In this article, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. "Excise taxes" means all unrestricted excise, transaction, franchise, privilege and business taxes, state shared sales transaction privilege and income taxes, fees for licenses and permits and state revenue sharing that are levied and paid by a political subdivision or contributed, levied or paid to the political subdivision and not earmarked by the contributor or the political subdivision for a contrary or inconsistent purpose. 2. "Political subdivision" means a county, city, town or special taxing district established pursuant to section 48-5102 to construct or assist in the construction of a transportation project. 3. "Transportation project" means all or a portion of a project that is included in the state's transportation improvement program or a regional transportation plan, as defined in section 28-6351, including the project planning, environmental work, design, right-of-way acquisition or construction for the transportation project and associated rolling stock and operating systems. 4. "Transportation project advance agreement" means a written agreement, entered into in accordance with section 28-7677 and section 9-500.17, 11-269.03 or 48-5122, between one or more political subdivisions and the department, a regional planning agency, metropolitan planning organization or council of governments or a designated grant recipient under which the political subdivision advances monies to the department, the regional planning agency, metropolitan planning organization or council of governments or the designated grant recipient to accelerate a transportation project and under which the recipient of the advanced monies repays the advance. 5. "Transportation project advance revenues" means any revenues a political subdivision receives under a transportation project advance agreement, or as proceeds of transportation project advancement notes, together with any earnings from the investment of the revenues. 6. "Transportation project advancement notes" means notes authorized by this article. END_STATUTE Sec. 21. Section 28-7695, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read: START_STATUTE28-7695. Use of proceeds A political subdivision shall use the proceeds from the sale of transportation project advancement notes for payment of any of the following: 1. Advances for a transportation project included in the state's transportation improvement program or a regional transportation plan, as defined in section 28-6351, under the transportation project advance agreement that relates to the transportation project advancement notes. 2. Legal and financial costs and expenses incurred in issuing and administering the notes. 3. Reimbursement to the political subdivision for monies previously advanced to the department, a regional planning agency, metropolitan planning organization or council of governments, a regional public transportation authority or a designated grant recipient under the transportation project advance agreement that relates to the transportation project advancement notes. 4. If authorized by the political subdivision, payment of interest that accrues on the notes before maturity. 5. Payment of the principal, premium or interest on other obligations of the political subdivision to the extent that proceeds of those obligations are applied to the financing of the transportation project that relates to the transportation project advance agreement. END_STATUTE Sec. 22. Section 42-6105, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read: START_STATUTE42-6105. County transportation excise tax; counties with population of one million two hundred thousand or more persons A. If approved by the qualified electors voting at a countywide election, a county with a population of one million two hundred thousand or more persons shall levy and the department shall collect a tax as provided by this section, in addition to all other taxes. B. The tax shall be levied and collected: 1. At a rate of not more than ten per cent percent of the transaction privilege tax rate prescribed by section 42-5010, subsection A applying, as of January 1, 1990, to each person engaging or continuing in the county in a business taxed under chapter 5, article 1 of this title. 2. At a rate of not more than ten per cent percent of the rate prescribed by section 42-5352, subsection A. 3. On the use or consumption of electricity or natural gas by retail electric or natural gas customers in the county who are subject to use tax under section 42-5155, at a rate equal to the transaction privilege tax rate under paragraph 1 of this subsection applying to persons engaging or continuing in the county in the utilities transaction privilege tax classification. C. The tax levied under this section shall be in effect for a term of twenty years. D. The net revenues collected under this section shall be distributed and deposited as follows for use consistent with the regional transportation plan adopted under title 28, chapter 17, article 1 2: 1. 56.2 per cent percent to the regional area road fund pursuant to section 28-6303 for freeways and other routes in the state highway system, including capital expense and maintenance. 2. 10.5 per cent percent to the regional area road fund pursuant to section 28-6303 for major arterial streets and intersection improvements regional programs, including capital expense and implementation studies. 3. 33.3 per cent percent to the public transportation fund pursuant to section 48-5103 for: (a) Capital costs, maintenance and operation of public transportation classifications. (b) Capital costs and utility relocation costs associated with a light rail public transit system. END_STATUTE Sec. 23. Title 42, chapter 6, article 3, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 42-6105.01, to read: START_STATUTE42-6105.01. County transportation excise tax; counties with population of three million or more persons; conditional enactment A. If approved by the qualified electors voting at a countywide election, from and after December 31, 2025, a county with a population of three million or more persons shall levy and the department shall collect a tax as provided by this section, in addition to all other taxes. B. The tax shall be levied and collected: 1. At a rate of not more than ten percent of the transaction privilege tax rate prescribed by section 42-5010, subsection A that applies, as of January 1, 2026, to each person engaging or continuing in the county in a business taxed under chapter 5, article 1 of this title. 2. At a rate of not more than ten percent of the rate prescribed by section 42-5352, subsection A. 3. On the use or consumption of electricity or natural gas by retail electric or natural gas customers in the county who are subject to use tax under section 42-5155, at a rate equal to the transaction privilege tax rate under paragraph 1 of this subsection that applies to persons engaging or continuing in the county in the utilities transaction privilege tax classification. C. The tax levied under this section shall be in effect for a term of twenty-five years. D. The plan adopted under title 28, chapter 17, article 2 shall specify where the entirety of net revenues collected under this section are distributed and deposited. The distributions shall meet the minimum thresholds established in subsection E of this section. The regional planning agency shall submit the plan distributions to the department on or before March 31 for the following fiscal year. The plan distributions shall be based on when the net revenues are received by the department. E. The plan adopted under title 28, chapter 17, article 2 shall specify the distribution of monies collected under this section into the regional area road fund established pursuant to section 28-6302 or the public transportation fund established by section 48-5103. The plan shall distribute at least: 1. 52.5 percent of the revenues collected annually under this section to the regional area road fund. 2. 32.5 percent of the revenues collected annually under this section to the public transportation fund. F. nOT MORE THAN FOURTEEN PERCENT OF THE REVENUES COLLECTED ANNUALLY UNDER THIS SECTION MAY BE SPENT ON LIGHT RAIL SYSTEMS IN A MANNER DESCRIBED IN SECTION 28-6352, SUBSECTION b, paragraph 3, subdivision (b). g. tHIS SECTION DOES NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE UNLESS AT AN ELECTION HELD nOVEMBER 8, 2022 THE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION EXCISE TAX IS APPROVED BY THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS. END_STATUTE Sec. 24. Section 48-5102, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read: START_STATUTE48-5102. Regional public transportation authority in counties with population of three million or more persons; establishment A. Beginning January 1, 1986, a regional public transportation authority is established in a county that has a population of one million two hundred thousand or more persons and that approves a transportation excise tax. A. Beginning January 1, 2026, a regional public transportation authority is established in a county that has a population of three million or more persons and that approves a county transportation excise tax. B. An authority is a tax levying public improvement district for all purposes of article XIII, section 7, Constitution of Arizona, and has the powers, privileges and immunities specifically granted by law. The authority's property, bonds, debts and other obligations and interest on and transfer of its bonds and obligations are free from taxation. C. The authority may operate both within and outside the corporate limits of the member municipalities. END_STATUTE Sec. 25. Section 48-5103, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read: START_STATUTE48-5103. Public transportation fund A. A public transportation fund is established for the authority. The fund consists of: 1. Monies appropriated by each municipality that is a member of the authority or the county, if it elected to enter into the authority. Each member municipality and member county shall appropriate monies to the public transportation fund in an amount determined by the board. 2. Monies appropriated by a county that has not elected to enter into the authority in an amount determined by the county board of supervisors. 3.  Transportation excise tax revenues that are allocated to the fund pursuant to section sections 42-6105 and 42-6105.01. The board shall separately account for monies from transportation excise tax revenues allocated pursuant to section 42-6105, subsection D, paragraph 3 or section 42-6105.01, subsection D, paragraph 2 for: (a) A light rail public transit system. (b) Capital costs for other public transportation. (c) Operation and maintenance costs for other public transportation. 4. Monies distributed under title 28, chapter 17, article articles 1 and 2. 5. Grants, gifts or donations from public or private sources. 6. Monies granted by the federal government or appropriated by the legislature. 7. Fares or other revenues collected in operating a public transportation system. B. On behalf of the authority, the fiscal agent shall administer monies paid into the public transportation fund. Monies in the fund may be spent pursuant to or to implement the public transportation element of the regional transportation plan as defined in section 28-6351 developed and approved by the regional planning agency, including reimbursement for utility relocation costs as prescribed in section 48-5107, adopted pursuant to section 48-5121 and for projects identified in the regional transportation plan adopted by the regional planning agency pursuant to section 28-6308 28-6352. C. Monies in the fund shall not be spent to promote or advocate a position, alternative or outcome of an election, to influence public opinion or to pay or contract for consultants or advisors to influence public opinion with respect to an election regarding taxes or other sources of revenue for the fund or regarding the regional transportation plan as defined in section 28-6351. END_STATUTE Sec. 26. Repeal Sections 48-5106 and 48-5121, Arizona Revised Statutes, are repealed. Sec. 27. Election on transportation excise tax A. Before November 8, 2022, the board of supervisors of any county with a population of three million or more persons shall call a countywide election for the extension and levy of a county transportation excise tax as provided by section 42-6105.01, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act, and on November 8, 2022, the board of supervisors shall conduct the election. B. In addition to any other requirements prescribed by law, the board of supervisors shall prepare and print an 8" x 11" publicity pamphlet concerning the ballot question and mail one copy of the pamphlet to each household containing a registered voter in the county. The mailings may be made over a period of days but shall be mailed for delivery before the earliest date registered voters may receive early ballots for the election. The publicity pamphlet shall contain: 1. A summary of the principal provisions of the issue presented to the voters, including the rate of the transportation excise tax, the number of years the tax will be in effect and the projected annual and cumulative amount of revenues to be raised. 2. A statement describing the purposes for which the transportation excise tax monies may be spent as provided by law, including: (a) A summary of the regional strategic transportation infrastructure investment plan adopted pursuant to section 28-6308, Arizona Revised Statutes, as amended by this act. (b) A map of proposed routes and transportation corridors of all major transportation projects. (c) The estimated amount of transportation excise tax revenues, together with other identified revenues, dedicated for each transportation mode. (d) The Maricopa county elections department website address for additional information on the regional strategic transportation infrastructure investment plan. 3. The form of the ballot. 4. Any arguments for or against the ballot measure. Affirmative arguments, arranged in the order in which the elections director received them, shall be placed before the negative arguments, also arranged in the order in which they were received. C. On or before June 15, 2022, a person may file with the county elections director an argument, not more than three hundred words in length, advocating or opposing the ballot measure. The person who files the argument shall also pay to the elections director a publication fee prescribed by the board of supervisors. If the argument is sponsored by one or more individuals, the argument shall be signed by each sponsoring individual. If the argument is sponsored by one or more organizations, the argument shall be signed by two executive officers of each organization. If the argument is sponsored by one or more political committees, the argument shall be signed by each committee's chairperson or treasurer. Payment of the fee required by this subsection, or reimbursement of the payor, constitutes sponsorship of the argument. The names of persons who have signed arguments and the names of sponsoring organizations shall appear with the argument in the pamphlet. The person or persons signing the argument shall also give their residence or post office box address and a telephone number, which may not appear in the pamphlet. D. In addition to any other ballot requirements prescribed by law, the elections director shall cause the following to be printed on the official ballot: 1. The designation of the measure as follows: "Relating to county transportation excise (sales) taxes". 2. The title: Regional Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Investment Plan. 3. A description of the ballot measure, which shall read as follows: An economic development measure continuing the existing transportation excise tax to improve travel times and choices, reduce congestion, aid public safety, improve air quality and address the regional transportation system by building, modernizing and expanding new and existing freeways, streets and intersections, investing in future transportation technology and innovations, addressing transportation safety issues, extending the light rail system, improving and expanding regional bus transit and providing additional dial-a-ride services for the elderly and persons with disabilities, vanpool services and pedestrian paths and bikeways. 4. Instructions directing the voter to the full text of the official and descriptive titles containing the summary as printed in the sample ballot and posted in the polling place. The ballot may include the summary of the regional strategic transportation infrastructure investment plan. 5. The question submitted to the voters as follows: Do you favor the continuation of a county transaction privilege (sales) tax for regional transportation purposes in _________ county? YES _________ NO _________ (A "YES" vote has the effect of continuing the transaction privilege (sales) tax in __________ county for twenty-five years to provide funding for transportation projects as contained in the regional strategic transportation infrastructure investment plan.) (A "NO" vote has the effect of rejecting the transaction privilege (sales) tax for transportation purposes in __________ county.) E. Except as otherwise provided by this section, the election under this section shall be conducted as nearly as practicable in the manner prescribed for general elections in title 16, Arizona Revised Statutes. The county election officer shall account for costs specifically incurred with respect to the ballot issue under this section. Regardless of the outcome of the election, and notwithstanding any other law, the state treasurer shall pay the costs listed in this subsection specifically incurred with respect to the ballot issue under this section from monies paid into the county's regional area road fund on submission of the bill by the county election officer. Costs specifically incurred with respect to the ballot issue under this section include the following: 1. Costs of mailing, publishing, posting and printing ballots, publicity pamphlets, notices, election materials and other matters concerning the election. 2. Legal and other consulting fees and costs relating to the election. 3. Telecommunications costs. 4. Compensation of the election board, county election officers and employees and other labor costs incurred to administer, hold, canvass and announce the results of the election. 5. Any other costs attributable to the election. F. This section does not constitute a submission of any provision of law to the people for approval under the power of the referendum. G. Except as specifically provided in this section, the general laws relating to elections apply to the election prescribed by this section. Sec. 28. Regional public transportation authority This act does not invalidate an action by a regional public transportation authority formed pursuant to law before the effective date of this act. Sec. 29. Emergency This act is an emergency measure that is necessary to preserve the public peace, health or safety and is operative immediately as provided by law.
6969
7070 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
7171
7272 Section 1. Section 28-304, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
7373
7474 START_STATUTE28-304. Powers and duties of the board; transportation facilities
7575
7676 A. The board shall:
7777
7878 1. Develop and adopt a statewide transportation policy statement. The policy statement shall be adopted as described in section 28-306.
7979
8080 2. Adopt a long-range statewide transportation plan. The plan shall be adopted as described in section 28-307.
8181
8282 3. Adopt uniform transportation planning practices and performance based planning processes for use by the department. The practices and processes shall be developed as described in sections 28-502 and 28-503.
8383
8484 4. Adopt transportation system performance measures and factors and data collection standards to be used by the department. The performance measures, factors and standards shall be developed as described in sections 28-504 and 28-505.
8585
8686 B. With respect to highways, the board shall:
8787
8888 1. Establish a complete system of state highway routes.
8989
9090 2. Determine which state highway routes or portions of the routes are accepted into the state highway system and which state highway routes to improve.
9191
9292 3. Establish, open, relocate or alter a portion of a state route or state highway.
9393
9494 4. Vacate or abandon a portion of a state route or state highway as prescribed in section 28-7209.
9595
9696 5. Sell board funding obligations to the state treasurer as provided in section 28-7678.
9797
9898 C. The board shall:
9999
100100 1. Establish policies to guide the development or modification of the five year transportation facilities construction program that are consistent with the principles of performance based performance-based planning developed pursuant to article 7 of this chapter. The percentage of department discretionary monies allocated to the region in the regional transportation plan approved pursuant to chapter 17, article 1 of this title shall not increase or decrease unless the board, in cooperation with the regional planning agency, agrees to change the percentage of the discretionary monies.
101101
102102 2. Award all construction contracts for transportation facilities.
103103
104104 3. Monitor the status of these construction projects.
105105
106106 D. The board shall determine priority program planning with respect to transportation facilities using the performance based performance-based methods developed pursuant to article 7 of this chapter.
107107
108108 E. With respect to transportation facilities other than highways, the board shall establish, open, relocate, alter, vacate or abandon all or portions of the facilities.
109109
110110 F. With respect to aeronautics, the board shall perform the functions prescribed in chapter 25 of this title.
111111
112112 G. The board shall not spend any monies, adopt any rules or implement any policies or programs to convert signs to the metric system or to require the use of the metric system with respect to designing or preparing plans, specifications, estimates or other documents for any highway project before the conversion or use is required by federal law, except that the board may:
113113
114114 1. Spend monies and require the use of the metric system with respect to designing or preparing plans, specifications, estimates or other documents for a highway project that is awarded before October 1, 1997 and that is exclusively metric from its inception.
115115
116116 2. Prepare for conversion to and use of the metric system not more than six months before the conversion or use is required by federal law. END_STATUTE
117117
118118 Sec. 2. Section 28-6301, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
119119
120120 START_STATUTE28-6301. Definitions
121121
122122 In this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
123123
124124 1. "Bond related Bond-related expenses" means:
125125
126126 (a) Printing, publication or advertising expenses with respect to the sale and issuance of any bonds.
127127
128128 (b) Fees, expenses and costs of registrars, paying agents and transfer agents retained by the board.
129129
130130 (c) Fees, expenses and costs of attorneys, accountants, actuaries, feasibility consultants, computer programmers or other experts employed to aid in the sale and issuance of the bonds.
131131
132132 (d) Other costs, fees and expenses incurred or reasonably related to the issuance, sale and administration of the bonds.
133133
134134 2. "Bond related Bond-related obligation" means any agreement or contractual relationship between the board and any bank, trust company, insurance company, surety bonding company, pension fund or other financial institution providing increased credit on, or security for, the bonds or liquidity for secondary market transactions.
135135
136136 3. "Bonds" means any bonds that are payable from the regional area road fund as provided in chapter 21, article 2 of this title.
137137
138138 4. "Construction interest" means a company whose primary function consists of building freeways, highways or major arterial streets.
139139
140140 5. "Controlled access highway" has the same meaning prescribed in section 28-601.
141141
142142 6. "Freight interest" means a company that derives a substantial portion of its revenue from transporting goods.
143143
144144 7. "Major amendment" means either:
145145
146146 (a) The addition or deletion of a freeway, route on the state highway system or a fixed guideway transit system.
147147
148148 (b) The addition or deletion of a portion of a freeway, route on the state highway system or a fixed guideway transit system that either exceeds one mile in length or exceeds an estimated cost of forty million dollars as provided in the regional transportation plan.
149149
150150 (c) The modification of a transportation project in a manner that eliminates a connection between freeway facilities or fixed guideway facilities.
151151
152152 7. "Major arterial" means an interconnected thoroughfare whose primary function is to link areas in the region and to distribute traffic to and from controlled access highways, generally of regionwide significance and of varying capacity depending on the travel demand for the specific direction and adjacent land uses.
153153
154154 8. "Plan" has the same meaning prescribed in section 28-6351.
155155
156156 8. 9. "Population" means the population determined in the most recent United States decennial census or the most recent special census as provided in section 28-6532 and revisions to the decennial or special census certified by the United States bureau of the census.
157157
158158 9. 10. "Public transportation" means moving passengers by means of a conveyance operated by or for a political subdivision of this state, including dial-a-ride transportation, special needs transportation and van pool transportation but excluding school buses.
159159
160160 10. 11. "Public transportation system" means the combination of individuals, vehicles, physical facilities, structures and equipment that together provide, or facilitate providing, public transportation, including buses, high occupancy vehicle roadway lanes and ramps, bus pull-out lanes, bus and light rail waiting facilities, park and ride parking lots, intelligent transportation systems and ridesharing promotion.
161161
162162 11. 12. "Regionwide business" means a company that provides goods or services throughout the county.
163163
164164 12. 13. "Transit interest" means an individual with demonstrated interest and experience with public transportation. END_STATUTE
165165
166166 Sec. 3. Section 28-6302, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
167167
168168 START_STATUTE28-6302. Transportation excise tax distribution; counties with three million or more persons; regional area road fund
169169
170170 A. In a county with a population of one three million two hundred thousand or more persons, the officer collecting transportation excise tax monies pursuant to section 42-6105 or 42-6105.01 that are designated for deposit in the regional area road fund shall immediately transfer the monies to the state treasurer. The state treasurer shall deposit the monies in a fund designated for the county as the regional area road fund. The state treasurer shall hold monies in the regional area road fund as a trustee for the county.
171171
172172 B. Except as provided in this article, the county in which the transportation excise taxes are levied has the beneficial interest in the regional area road fund. This state has no beneficial interest in the regional area road fund except as an obligee for reimbursement of state monies that are advanced as salaries or expenses by this state or the department and that are to be repaid by the regional area road fund.
173173
174174 C. Monies and investments within the regional area road fund may be used and spent only as provided in this chapter. An appropriation of any nature shall not be required before the expenditure of monies from the regional area road fund. Monies in the bond proceeds account or construction account of a regional area road fund may be obligated for payment in future years for the purpose of right-of-way acquisition subject to the limitations prescribed in sections 28-7001 and 28-7002, and section 42-6105, subsection D, paragraphs 1 and 2 and section 42-6105.01, subsection D, paragraph 1. The state treasurer shall make payments from the regional area road fund by check, and a warrant or voucher is not necessary. Subject to the powers granted to the board in chapter 21, article 2 of this title, the director shall administer monies deposited in the regional area road fund. END_STATUTE
175175
176176 Sec. 4. Section 28-6303, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
177177
178178 START_STATUTE28-6303. Regional area road fund; separate accounts
179179
180180 A. The regional area road fund is divided into three separate accounts designated as the bond account, the construction account and the bond proceeds account.
181181
182182 B. The state treasurer shall:
183183
184184 1. Account separately for each account.
185185
186186 2. Make transfers between accounts only as provided in this article or chapter 21, article 2 of this title.
187187
188188 3. Before any bonds are issued, deposit transportation excise tax revenues transferred to the state treasurer in the construction account. These revenues shall be expended as provided in this article.
189189
190190 4. After any bonds are issued, deposit transportation excise tax revenues transferred to the state treasurer in the bond account first until the bond account contains monies sufficient to meet all principal, interest or redemption requirements for the current period as required by any resolution of the board pertaining to the issuance of bonds.
191191
192192 5. After all current period requirements for all of the bonds are deposited in the bond account, deposit the balance of transportation excise tax revenues transferred to the state treasurer for the current period in the construction account.
193193
194194 C. The state treasurer may:
195195
196196 1. Invest monies in any account of the regional area road fund in any securities or obligations authorized by title 35, chapter 2, article 2.
197197
198198 2. For the purpose of investments, commingle monies within the regional area road fund with state monies if all interest earned on the monies in the regional area road fund of a county is credited to the respective account of the regional area road fund in which the investment was made.
199199
200200 D. The department shall separately account for the uses of transportation excise tax revenues deposited into the bond account and the construction account in order to identify how the transportation excise tax revenues are used pursuant to section 42-6105, subsection D, paragraphs 1 and 2, for:
201201
202202 1. Freeways and other routes in the state highway system.
203203
204204 2. Major arterial streets and intersection improvements regional programs identified in the plan, including capital expense and implementation studies.
205205
206206 E. The department shall separately account for the uses of transportation excise tax revenues deposited in the bond account and the construction account in order to identify how the transportation excise tax revenues are used pursuant to section 42-6105.01, subsection D, paragraph 1 for:
207207
208208 1. Freeways and other routes in the state highway system.
209209
210210 2. Major arterial streets and regional programs identified in the plan, including capital expense and implementation studies. END_STATUTE
211211
212212 Sec. 5. Section 28-6304, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
213213
214214 START_STATUTE28-6304. Bond account; expenditures
215215
216216 A. The state treasurer shall:
217217
218218 1. Hold monies in the bond account in trust for the owners of the bonds.
219219
220220 2. Pay monies in the bond account to the county, to paying agents or to the owners of the bonds directly in accordance with a resolution of the board authorizing the issuance of the bonds.
221221
222222 B. Monies in the bond account may be used:
223223
224224 1. To pay bond related bond-related expenses or recurring expenses pertaining to administration and payment of the bonds.
225225
226226 2. For funding reserves for the payment of the bonds.
227227
228228 3. For payment of fees, charges and expenses incurred with respect to bond related bond-related obligations.
229229
230230 C. Monies in the bond proceeds account may be obligated or spent as directed by the board, according to the plan, for the:
231231
232232 1. Payment of all bond related bond-related expenses.
233233
234234 2. Establishment and funding of reserve monies or to pay interest on bonds during the expected period of construction.
235235
236236 3. Payment of fees, charges and expenses incurred with respect to bond related bond-related obligations.
237237
238238 4. Design, right-of-way purchase or construction related to new, or improvements to, freeways and other routes in the state highway system that are included in the regional transportation plan of the county and that are accepted into the state highway system.
239239
240240 5. Design, right-of-way purchase or construction related to new, or improvements to, major arterial streets and intersections that are included in the regional transportation plan of the county. For the purposes of this paragraph, "major arterial" means an interconnected thoroughfare whose primary function is to link areas in the region and to distribute traffic to and from controlled access highways, generally of regionwide significance and of varying capacity depending on the travel demand for the specific direction and adjacent land uses.
241241
242242 6. Design and construction of interim roadways within the adopted corridors of the regional transportation plan of the county pursuant to section 28-6309.
243243
244244 7. Right-of-way costs associated with the construction of interim roadways pursuant to section 28-6310.
245245
246246 8. 6. Payment of principal and interest on the bonds.
247247
248248 7. Design, construction and implementation of regional programs as defined by the plan. END_STATUTE
249249
250250 Sec. 6. Section 28-6305, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
251251
252252 START_STATUTE28-6305. Construction account; expenditures; construction contracts
253253
254254 A. Except as provided in subsection B of this section, monies in the construction account of the regional area road fund shall be spent, pledged or accumulated for the purposes provided in section 28-6304, subsection C, paragraphs 4 and 5, including payment of interest on and repayment of bonds and obligations issued pursuant to chapter 21 of this title if the proceeds of the bonds or obligations are used for the purposes provided in section 28-6304, subsection C, paragraphs 4 and 5.
255255
256256 B. Of the monies deposited in the construction account of the regional area road fund under section 28-6303, the state treasurer shall:
257257
258258 1. In each fiscal year, divide and equally distribute five million dollars $5,000,000 to:
259259
260260 (a) The public transportation fund established in that county under section 48-5103.
261261
262262 (b) The regional planning agency in that county for planning and administration of administering the regional transportation plan approved pursuant to section 28-6308. The state treasurer shall distribute monies under this subdivision through the department on or before June 30 of each year.
263263
264264 2. Beginning with fiscal year 1987-1988, adjust the monies distributed under paragraph 1 of this subsection by the annual percentage change for the previous calendar year in the GDP price deflator as defined in section 41-563.
265265
266266 C. The monies distributed under subsection B of this section shall only be spent for planning and administering the regional transportation plan approved pursuant to section 28-6308 and the costs incurred by the auditor general relating to performance audits under section 28-6313. Before the beginning of each fiscal year, the respective governing bodies of the members of the regional planning agency and the board of directors of the regional public transportation authority shall explicitly identify and approve in the annual budgets the monies to be spent under subsection B of this section for the purposes allowed under this subsection. These expenditures are subject to the annual audit of the governing bodies' financial transactions.
267267
268268 D. The director may enter into construction contracts or contracts incidental to construction contracts payable from monies in either the bond proceeds account or the construction account or both the bond proceeds and construction accounts. END_STATUTE
269269
270270 Sec. 7. Section 28-6306, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
271271
272272 START_STATUTE28-6306. Account expenditures; elections
273273
274274 A. Except as provided in subsection B of this section, monies from any account in the regional area road fund shall not be spent to promote or advocate a position, alternative or outcome of an election, to influence public opinion or to pay or contract for consultants or advisors to influence public opinion with respect to an election regarding taxes or other sources of revenue for the fund or regarding the regional transportation plan.
275275
276276 B. Monies from any account in the regional area road fund may be spent:
277277
278278 1. As authorized by this article to determine public opinion before the election is called.
279279
280280 2. For costs specifically incurred with respect to a ballot issue relating to a county transportation excise tax in a county with a population of one three million two hundred thousand or more persons. END_STATUTE
281281
282282 Sec. 8. Repeal
283283
284284 Section 28-6307, Arizona Revised Statutes, is repealed.
285285
286286 Sec. 9. Section 28-6308, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
287287
288288 START_STATUTE28-6308. Regional planning agency transportation policy committee
289289
290290 A. The regional planning agency in the county shall establish a transportation policy committee consisting of twenty-three the following members as follows:
291291
292292 1. Seventeen members of the regional planning agency, including one member of the state transportation board who represents the county, one member of the county board of supervisors and one member representing who represents Indian communities in the county.
293293
294294 2. Six members who represent regionwide business interests, one of whom must represent transit interests, one of whom must represent freight interests and one of whom must represent construction interests. The president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives shall each appoint three members to the committee pursuant to this paragraph. Members who are appointed pursuant to this paragraph serve six-year terms. The chairperson of the regional planning agency may submit names to the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives for consideration for appointment to the transportation policy committee.
295295
296296 3. Beginning fiscal year 2023-2024, two members who represent unincorporated areas of a county that has a population of three million or more persons. The president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives shall each appoint one member pursuant to this subsection. Members who are appointed pursuant to this subsection serve six-year terms.
297297
298298 B. Through the regional planning agency, the transportation policy committee by a majority vote of the members shall do all of the following:
299299
300300 1. By a majority vote of the members, Recommend approval, disapproval or modification of a twenty-year comprehensive, performance-based, multimodal and coordinated regional transportation plan in the county, including transportation corridors by priority and a schedule indicating the dates that construction will commence for projects contained in the plan.
301301
302302 2. Develop the plan in cooperation with the regional public transportation authority in the county and the department of transportation and in consultation with the county board of supervisors, Indian communities and cities and towns in the county.
303303
304304 3. Submit the plan for review by the regional public transportation authority in the county, the state board of transportation, the county board of supervisors, Indian communities and cities and towns in the county at the alternatives stage of the plan and the final draft stage of the plan. After reviewing the plan, the regional public transportation authority in the county, the county board of supervisors and the state board of transportation, by majority vote of the members of each entity within thirty days after receiving the plan, shall submit a written recommendation to the transportation policy committee that the plan be approved, modified or disapproved. Within thirty days after receiving the plan, Indian communities and cities and towns in the county may submit a written recommendation to the transportation policy committee that the plan be approved, modified or disapproved.
305305
306306 4. Consider plan modifications proposed by any of the entities as prescribed in paragraph 3 of this subsection.
307307
308308 5. By majority vote, approve, disapprove or further modify each proposed plan modification.
309309
310310 6. Provide a written response to the regional public transportation authority, the state board of transportation, the county board of supervisors and the entity that submitted the proposed modification within thirty days after the vote on the proposed modification explaining the affirmation, rejection or further modification of each proposed modification.
311311
312312 7. Recommend the plan to the regional planning agency for approval for an air quality conformity analysis.
313313
314314 C. The regional transportation plan:
315315
316316 1. Shall include the following transportation mode classifications with a revenue allocation to each classification consistent with section 42-6105, subsection D:
317317
318318 (a) Freeways and other routes in the state highway system.
319319
320320 (b) Major arterial streets and intersection improvements.
321321
322322 (c) Public transportation systems.
323323
324324 2. Shall provide a suggested construction schedule for the transportation projects contained in the plan.
325325
326326 3. May be annually updated to introduce new controlled access highways, related grade separations and transportation projects or to modify the existing plan.
327327
328328 4. Shall be developed to meet federal air quality requirements established for the region in which it is located.
329329
330330 D. Transportation excise tax revenues that are distributed pursuant to section 42-6105, subsection D shall not be redistributed or used for other transportation modes. Except as provided by section 28-6353, subsections D, E and F, transportation excise tax revenues that are dedicated in the plan to a specific project or transportation system may only be redistributed to or otherwise used for another project within the same transportation mode if approved by a majority vote of the transportation policy committee.
331331
332332 3. Recommend approval, disapproval or modification of changes to the allocations of transportation excise tax revenues between section 28-6352, subsection B, paragraphs 1, 2 and 3, including investment changes as described in section 28-6352, subsections C and H.
333333
334334 4. Recommend approval, disapproval or modification of the budget processes identified by section 28-6352, subsection D.
335335
336336 5. Recommend approval, disapproval, or modification of funding awarded through the regional programs process. END_STATUTE
337337
338338 Sec. 10. Repeal
339339
340340 Sections 28-6309, 28-6310, 28-6311 and 28-6312, Arizona Revised Statutes, are repealed.
341341
342342 Sec. 11. Section 28-6313, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
343343
344344 START_STATUTE28-6313. Performance audits of proposed transportation projects and systems
345345
346346 A. Beginning in 2010 and every fifth year thereafter, the auditor general shall may contract with a nationally recognized independent auditor with expertise in evaluating multimodal transportation systems and in regional transportation planning to conduct a performance audit, as defined in section 41-1278, of the regional transportation plan and projects scheduled for funding during the next five years.
347347
348348 B. With respect to light rail systems, the audit shall consider the criteria used by the federal transit administration pursuant to 49 United States Code section 5309(e)(1)(B) and the interrelationship among the criteria to provide federal funding for light rail systems. For light rail systems, the audit shall also consider:
349349
350350 1. Service levels.
351351
352352 2. Capital costs.
353353
354354 3. Operation and maintenance costs.
355355
356356 4. Transit ridership.
357357
358358 5. Farebox revenues.
359359
360360 C. The audit shall:
361361
362362 1. Examine the regional transportation plan and projects scheduled for funding within each transportation mode based on the performance factors established in section 28-505, subsection A, in the context of the transportation system.
363363
364364 2. Review past expenditures of the regional transportation plan and examine the performance of the system in relieving congestion and improving mobility.
365365
366366 3. Make recommendations regarding whether further implementation of a project or transportation system is warranted, warranted with modifications or not warranted.
367367
368368 D. The auditor general or the auditors contracted to conduct the audit shall periodically update the transportation policy committee regarding the progress of the audit.
369369
370370 E. Within forty-five days after the release of the audit, the regional public transportation authority, the state transportation board and the county board of supervisors, by a majority vote of each entity, shall submit written recommendations to the transportation policy committee that the findings are agreed to or disagreed with and the recommendations should be implemented, be implemented with modification or not be implemented.
371371
372372 F. Within forty-five days after the audit's release, the regional planning agency shall hold a public hearing on the audit findings and recommendations.
373373
374374 G. The auditor general shall distribute copies of the audit to:
375375
376376 1. The regional planning agency.
377377
378378 2. The transportation policy committee.
379379
380380 3. The regional public transportation authority in the county.
381381
382382 4. The county board of supervisors.
383383
384384 5. The state transportation board.
385385
386386 6. The governor, secretary of state, president of the senate and speaker of the house of representatives.
387387
388388 7. The Arizona state library, archives and public records.
389389
390390 8. Any other person who requests a copy pursuant to title 39, chapter 1, article 2.
391391
392392 H. The state transportation board, regional planning agency, regional public transportation authority and county board of supervisors shall cooperate with and submit to the auditor general and the auditors contracted to conduct the audit information necessary to conduct the audits under this section.
393393
394394 I. The cost incurred by the auditor general in contracting with independent auditors for conducting performance audits under subsection A of this section shall be paid from revenues of the county transportation excise tax under section sections 42-6105 and 42-6105.01. When due, the payments have priority over any other distribution authorized by section 42-6105 or 42-6105.01. The auditor general shall deposit the payments in the audit services revolving fund established by section 41-1279.06. END_STATUTE
395395
396396 Sec. 12. Heading change
397397
398398 The article heading of title 28, chapter 17, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, is changed from "REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN" to "COUNTY TRANSPORTATION EXCISE TAX PLAN".
399399
400400 Sec. 13. Section 28-6351, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
401401
402402 START_STATUTE28-6351. Definitions
403403
404404 In this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
405405
406406 1. "Controlled access highway" has the same meaning prescribed in section 28-601.
407407
408408 2. 1. "Enhancement" means an addition that exceeds generally accepted engineering or design standards for the specific type of facility.
409409
410410 3. 2. "Regional transportation Plan" means the twenty year comprehensive, performance based performance-based, multimodal and coordinated regional strategic transportation infrastructure investment plan approved for the county pursuant to section 28-6308, as amended or otherwise modified. END_STATUTE
411411
412412 Sec. 14. Repeal
413413
414414 Sections 28-6352, 28-6353, 28-6354 and 28-6355, Arizona Revised Statutes, are repealed.
415415
416416 Sec. 15. Title 28, chapter 17, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section 28-6352, to read:
417417
418418 START_STATUTE28-6352. County transportation excise tax; budget process
419419
420420 A. The regional planning agency in the county shall develop and adopt a plan. The plan shall be multimodal and shall be developed in cooperation with state and local public transportation authorities and operators and in coordination with the department.
421421
422422 B. The plan shall allocate revenue collected under section 42-6105.01 as follows:
423423
424424 1. In the regional area road fund for freeways and other routes in the state highway system, including capital expense and maintenance.
425425
426426 2. In the regional area road fund for major arterial streets and regional programs, including capital expense and implementation studies.
427427
428428 3. In the Public transportation fund established by section 48-5103 for:
429429
430430 (a) Capital costs, maintenance and operation of public transportation mode classifications.
431431
432432 (b) Capital costs and utility relocation costs associated with the light rail system.
433433
434434 C. Transportation excise tax revenues that are allocated pursuant to subsection B, paragraph 1, 2 or 3 of this section may only be reallocated to another paragraph under subsection B of this section if the reallocation is recommended for approval by the transportation policy committee and approved by the regional planning agency board. Not more than two and one-half percent of the revenues collected under section 42-6105.01 may be transferred annually between subsection B, paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of this section without going through the major investment change process as prescribed in subsection H of this section.
435435
436436 D. Beginning fiscal year 2022-2023, the regional planning agency shall adopt a budget process that ensures:
437437
438438 1. The estimated cost of the freeways and other routes in the region's state highway system does not exceed the total amount of revenues estimated to be available over the term of the transportation excise tax as prescribed by section 42-6105, subsection C and section 42-6105.01, subsection C.
439439
440440 2. The estimated cost of the public transportation system does not exceed the total amount of revenues estimated to be available over the term of the transportation excise tax as prescribed by section 42-6105, subsection C and section 42-6105.01, subsection C.
441441
442442 3. The estimated cost of major arterial streets and regional programs does not exceed the total amount of revenues estimated to be available over the term of the transportation excise tax as prescribed by section 42-6105, subsection C and section 42-6105.01, subsection C.
443443
444444 E. The regional planning agency shall coordinate with implementing partners on the budget process prescribed in subsection D of this section, Including the department for freeways and other routes in the state highway system and the regional public transportation authority in the county for the public transportation system.
445445
446446 F. The regional planning agency shall determine the use of the revenues collected under sections 42-6105 and 42-6105.01 for capital projects through the transportation improvement program.
447447
448448 G. Any bonds issued against proceeds collected pursuant to sections 42-6105 and 42-6105.01 require consultation with the regional planning agency.
449449
450450 H. The major investment change process requires the following:
451451
452452 1. Consideration by the transportation policy committee.
453453
454454 2. Identification of the projects and programs that would be impacted by the funding transfer.
455455
456456 3. A detailed, performance-based assessment of the impacted projects and programs. The performance-based assessment must support the proposed major investment change. The assessment shall also seek, consider and document public input on the proposed major investment change.
457457
458458 4. A one hundred eighty-day public comment period.
459459
460460 5. Submission of the proposed major investment change for review by the regional public transportation authority in the county, the state board of transportation and the county board of supervisors. After review, the regional public transportation authority in the county, the state board of transportation and the county board of supervisors, by a majority vote of the members of each board and within thirty days after receiving the proposed major investment change, shall submit a written recommendation to the regional planning agency that the proposed major investment change be approved, modified or disapproved. If the regional public transportation authority in the county, the state board of transportation or the county board of supervisors fails to approve the proposed major investment change, an affirmative vote of seventeen members of the transportation policy committee is required to recommend approval and proceed with the major investment change.
461461
462462 I. The regional planning agency shall annually report on the status of the projects funded pursuant to section 42-6105 or 42-6105.01 and shall post the report on its website.
463463
464464 J. Requests for changes to transportation projects funded in the plan that would materially increase costs shall be submitted to the regional planning agency for approval and submitted by the regional planning agency to the transportation policy committee and the board for consideration and approval.
465465
466466 K. If a local authority requests an enhancement to a transportation project funded in the plan, the local authority shall pay all costs associated with the enhancement.
467467
468468 L. The plan shall reflect the allocation of revenues collected under section 42-6105, subsection D through December 31, 2025.
469469
470470 M. The budget process prescribed in subsection D of this section does not apply to the annual operating budget of the regional public transportation authority in the county.
471471
472472 N. If monies are appropriated by the legislature for a project that is identified in the plan, the use of the monies for construction requires both of the following:
473473
474474 1. The project must be advanced as appropriate to reflect the estimated construction start date.
475475
476476 2. The monies must be used in the same modal classification specified in subsection B of this section.
477477
478478 o. If a municipality pays for public transportation service in an adjacent municipality or unincorporated area of a county, the cost of the service shall be eligible for reimbursement from monies collected under section 42-6105 or 42-6105.01. For the purposes of this subsection:
479479
480480 1. "Municipality" means a city or town.
481481
482482 2. "Public transportation service" includes circulator service. END_STATUTE
483483
484484 Sec. 16. Section 28-6538, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
485485
486486 START_STATUTE28-6538. Arizona highway user revenue fund distribution; remaining monies; highway fund distribution; contract authorization; plan requirements
487487
488488 A. Each fiscal year the department shall allocate and the state treasurer shall distribute revenues of the Arizona highway user revenue fund remaining after the distribution provided in sections 28-6534 and 28-6537 as follows:
489489
490490 1. To the state highway fund, fifty and one-half per cent percent.
491491
492492 2. To the counties, nineteen per cent percent.
493493
494494 3. To the incorporated cities and towns, twenty-seven and one-half per cent percent.
495495
496496 4. To incorporated cities with a population of three hundred thousand or more persons, three per cent percent.
497497
498498 B. At least twelve and six-tenths per cent percent of the revenues allocated each year to the state highway fund pursuant to subsection A of this section shall be further distributed in the following proportions and for the following purposes:
499499
500500 1. Seventy-five per cent percent of the revenues shall be spent, pledged or accumulated in counties with a population of one million five hundred thousand or more persons for the design, right-of-way purchase or construction of controlled access highways that are included in the regional transportation plan of the county as defined in section 28-6351 and that are accepted into the state highway system either as a state route or as a state highway.
501501
502502 2. Twenty-five per cent percent of the revenues shall be spent, pledged or accumulated in counties with a population of more than eight hundred thousand but less than one million five hundred thousand persons for:
503503
504504 (a) The design, right-of-way purchase or construction of controlled access highways that are included in the regional transportation plan of the county as defined in section 28-6351 and that are accepted into the state highway system either as a state route or as a state highway or related grade separations of controlled access highways that are included in the regional transportation plan of the county as defined in section 28-6351.
505505
506506 (b) Notwithstanding sections 28-6993 and 28-6995, the design, right-of-way purchase, construction, standard and reduced clearance grade separation, extension and widening of arterial streets and highways that are included in the regional transportation plan of the county as defined in section 28-6351.
507507
508508 C. Of the monies allocated to the state highway fund pursuant to subsection A of this section, not more than five million dollars $5,000,000 annually shall be spent for the acquisition, construction or improvement of entry roads to state parks or roads in state parks.
509509
510510 D. Expenditures for state matching monies for the federal interstate system shall be in addition to the amount provided in subsection B of this section.
511511
512512 E. The department may contract with a county, city or town to allow the county, city or town to construct the streets or highways prescribed in subsection B of this section.
513513
514514 F. A county described in subsection B of this section and the cities and towns in the county, through their regional planning agency, shall list transportation corridors by priority in the regional transportation plan as defined in section 28-6351. The regional transportation plan as defined in section 28-6351 may also provide a suggested construction schedule for the transportation corridors contained in the plan. END_STATUTE
515515
516516 Sec. 17. Section 28-6954, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
517517
518518 START_STATUTE28-6954. Program requirements
519519
520520 A. The five year transportation facilities construction program shall:
521521
522522 1. Set forth estimated expenditures by project for engineering, rights-of-way and construction.
523523
524524 2. Include detailed information by project as to location, description and the reasons for the project's assigned priority.
525525
526526 3. List projects by priority and group them in the fiscal year during which it is estimated construction can begin.
527527
528528 4. For the first year of the program, consist of projects that can with reasonable certainty be advertised for public bidding.
529529
530530 5. Include a plan for the use of monies expected to be deposited in a county's regional area road fund as provided in chapter 17, article 1 of this title that is all of the following:
531531
532532 (a) consistent with the plan as defined in section 28-6351.
533533
534534 (b) Consistent with the project budget process specified in SECTION 28-6352, subsection D, paragraph 1.
535535
536536 (c) Annually updated.
537537
538538 6. Include a plan for the use of monies that are expected to accrue in a county's regional transportation fund as provided in section 48-5310, that are dedicated for street and highway purposes and that are in the state highway system.
539539
540540 B. The department shall develop and use detailed criteria designed to meet the transportation system performance measures adopted by the board pursuant to section 28-304 in identifying projects for the five year transportation facilities construction program. The project selection process shall also conform to state and regional growth policies. END_STATUTE
541541
542542 Sec. 18. Section 28-7562, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
543543
544544 START_STATUTE28-7562. Bond requirements
545545
546546 A. The bonds authorized by this article shall:
547547
548548 1. Be authorized by resolution of the board.
549549
550550 2. Bear such date or dates and mature at such time or times, not exceeding the earlier of twenty twenty-five years from their respective dates or the date the transportation excise taxes securing the bonds cease, as the resolution or resolutions may provide.
551551
552552 3. Bear interest at such rate or rates, including rates that may vary from time to time pursuant to parameters set by the board in the authorizing resolution.
553553
554554 4. Be in the denomination, be in the form, either coupon or registered, be executed in the manner and be payable as to principal, interest or premium in the medium of payment at the office of the state treasurer of this state or at such other place or places as the board provides either by automatic deposit, wire transfer or mail, as the resolution or resolutions may provide.
555555
556556 5. Be subject to the terms of redemption, at the option of either the board or the owner of the bond, as the resolution or resolutions may provide.
557557
558558 B. The bonds may be sold at either public or private sale, above, at or below par and on terms the board determines. Bonds to fund or refund other bonds may be exchanged with the holders of bonds being funded or refunded on terms the board determines. END_STATUTE
559559
560560 Sec. 19. Section 28-7671, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
561561
562562 START_STATUTE28-7671. Definitions
563563
564564 In this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
565565
566566 1. "Eligible highway project" means a highway project that is both:
567567
568568 (a) On the federal aid system, national highway system or state route or state highway system.
569569
570570 (b) Included in either:
571571
572572 (i) The department's state highway construction plan.
573573
574574 (ii) The transportation improvement plan of a regional association of governments.
575575
576576 2. "Eligible transit capital project" means land, buildings or motor vehicles or a combination of land, buildings and motor vehicles that is included in the transportation improvement plan of a regional association of governments and that is part of the federal transit administration's rural public transportation program for entities that are eligible pursuant to section 28-7676 and that have populations of less than fifty thousand persons.
577577
578578 3. "Eligible transportation project" means a transportation project that is eligible pursuant to section 28-7676.
579579
580580 4. "Federal SIB act" means section 350 of the national highway system designation act of 1995 (P.L. 104-59; 109 Stat. 618), any regulations adopted pursuant to that section and any other provisions of federal law providing for state infrastructure banks, infrastructure credit programs and other grant programs for highway purposes and any regulations adopted pursuant to those laws.
581581
582582 5. "Fund" means the highway expansion and extension loan program fund established by section 28-7674.
583583
584584 6. "Indian tribe" means any Indian tribe, band, group or community that is recognized by the United States secretary of the interior and that exercises governmental authority within the limits of any Indian reservation under the jurisdiction of the United States government, notwithstanding the issuance of any patent and including rights-of-way running through the reservation.
585585
586586 7. "Loan repayment agreement" means one or more loan agreements, instruments or other agreements providing for repayment of a loan or other financial assistance and entered into by this state or its agencies, including the department, or a political subdivision or Indian tribe.
587587
588588 8. "Political subdivision" means a county, city, town or special taxing district authorized by law to construct or assist in the construction of an eligible highway project or a county, city, town or special taxing district established pursuant to section 48-5102 to construct or assist in the construction of a transportation project.
589589
590590 9. "SIB cooperative agreement" means a cooperative agreement or agreements entered into by the Arizona department of transportation with the United States department of transportation pursuant to this article and the federal SIB act.
591591
592592 10. "Transportation project" means all or a portion of a project that is included in the state's transportation improvement program or a regional transportation plan, as defined in section 28-6351, including the project planning, environmental work, design, right-of-way acquisition or construction for the transportation project and associated rolling stock and operating systems but not including an eligible highway project. END_STATUTE
593593
594594 Sec. 20. Section 28-7691, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
595595
596596 START_STATUTE28-7691. Definitions
597597
598598 In this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
599599
600600 1. "Excise taxes" means all unrestricted excise, transaction, franchise, privilege and business taxes, state shared sales transaction privilege and income taxes, fees for licenses and permits and state revenue sharing that are levied and paid by a political subdivision or contributed, levied or paid to the political subdivision and not earmarked by the contributor or the political subdivision for a contrary or inconsistent purpose.
601601
602602 2. "Political subdivision" means a county, city, town or special taxing district established pursuant to section 48-5102 to construct or assist in the construction of a transportation project.
603603
604604 3. "Transportation project" means all or a portion of a project that is included in the state's transportation improvement program or a regional transportation plan, as defined in section 28-6351, including the project planning, environmental work, design, right-of-way acquisition or construction for the transportation project and associated rolling stock and operating systems.
605605
606606 4. "Transportation project advance agreement" means a written agreement, entered into in accordance with section 28-7677 and section 9-500.17, 11-269.03 or 48-5122, between one or more political subdivisions and the department, a regional planning agency, metropolitan planning organization or council of governments or a designated grant recipient under which the political subdivision advances monies to the department, the regional planning agency, metropolitan planning organization or council of governments or the designated grant recipient to accelerate a transportation project and under which the recipient of the advanced monies repays the advance.
607607
608608 5. "Transportation project advance revenues" means any revenues a political subdivision receives under a transportation project advance agreement, or as proceeds of transportation project advancement notes, together with any earnings from the investment of the revenues.
609609
610610 6. "Transportation project advancement notes" means notes authorized by this article. END_STATUTE
611611
612612 Sec. 21. Section 28-7695, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
613613
614614 START_STATUTE28-7695. Use of proceeds
615615
616616 A political subdivision shall use the proceeds from the sale of transportation project advancement notes for payment of any of the following:
617617
618618 1. Advances for a transportation project included in the state's transportation improvement program or a regional transportation plan, as defined in section 28-6351, under the transportation project advance agreement that relates to the transportation project advancement notes.
619619
620620 2. Legal and financial costs and expenses incurred in issuing and administering the notes.
621621
622622 3. Reimbursement to the political subdivision for monies previously advanced to the department, a regional planning agency, metropolitan planning organization or council of governments, a regional public transportation authority or a designated grant recipient under the transportation project advance agreement that relates to the transportation project advancement notes.
623623
624624 4. If authorized by the political subdivision, payment of interest that accrues on the notes before maturity.
625625
626626 5. Payment of the principal, premium or interest on other obligations of the political subdivision to the extent that proceeds of those obligations are applied to the financing of the transportation project that relates to the transportation project advance agreement. END_STATUTE
627627
628628 Sec. 22. Section 42-6105, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
629629
630630 START_STATUTE42-6105. County transportation excise tax; counties with population of one million two hundred thousand or more persons
631631
632632 A. If approved by the qualified electors voting at a countywide election, a county with a population of one million two hundred thousand or more persons shall levy and the department shall collect a tax as provided by this section, in addition to all other taxes.
633633
634634 B. The tax shall be levied and collected:
635635
636636 1. At a rate of not more than ten per cent percent of the transaction privilege tax rate prescribed by section 42-5010, subsection A applying, as of January 1, 1990, to each person engaging or continuing in the county in a business taxed under chapter 5, article 1 of this title.
637637
638638 2. At a rate of not more than ten per cent percent of the rate prescribed by section 42-5352, subsection A.
639639
640640 3. On the use or consumption of electricity or natural gas by retail electric or natural gas customers in the county who are subject to use tax under section 42-5155, at a rate equal to the transaction privilege tax rate under paragraph 1 of this subsection applying to persons engaging or continuing in the county in the utilities transaction privilege tax classification.
641641
642642 C. The tax levied under this section shall be in effect for a term of twenty years.
643643
644644 D. The net revenues collected under this section shall be distributed and deposited as follows for use consistent with the regional transportation plan adopted under title 28, chapter 17, article 1 2:
645645
646646 1. 56.2 per cent percent to the regional area road fund pursuant to section 28-6303 for freeways and other routes in the state highway system, including capital expense and maintenance.
647647
648648 2. 10.5 per cent percent to the regional area road fund pursuant to section 28-6303 for major arterial streets and intersection improvements regional programs, including capital expense and implementation studies.
649649
650650 3. 33.3 per cent percent to the public transportation fund pursuant to section 48-5103 for:
651651
652652 (a) Capital costs, maintenance and operation of public transportation classifications.
653653
654654 (b) Capital costs and utility relocation costs associated with a light rail public transit system. END_STATUTE
655655
656656 Sec. 23. Title 42, chapter 6, article 3, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 42-6105.01, to read:
657657
658658 START_STATUTE42-6105.01. County transportation excise tax; counties with population of three million or more persons; conditional enactment
659659
660660 A. If approved by the qualified electors voting at a countywide election, from and after December 31, 2025, a county with a population of three million or more persons shall levy and the department shall collect a tax as provided by this section, in addition to all other taxes.
661661
662662 B. The tax shall be levied and collected:
663663
664664 1. At a rate of not more than ten percent of the transaction privilege tax rate prescribed by section 42-5010, subsection A that applies, as of January 1, 2026, to each person engaging or continuing in the county in a business taxed under chapter 5, article 1 of this title.
665665
666666 2. At a rate of not more than ten percent of the rate prescribed by section 42-5352, subsection A.
667667
668668 3. On the use or consumption of electricity or natural gas by retail electric or natural gas customers in the county who are subject to use tax under section 42-5155, at a rate equal to the transaction privilege tax rate under paragraph 1 of this subsection that applies to persons engaging or continuing in the county in the utilities transaction privilege tax classification.
669669
670670 C. The tax levied under this section shall be in effect for a term of twenty-five years.
671671
672672 D. The plan adopted under title 28, chapter 17, article 2 shall specify where the entirety of net revenues collected under this section are distributed and deposited. The distributions shall meet the minimum thresholds established in subsection E of this section. The regional planning agency shall submit the plan distributions to the department on or before March 31 for the following fiscal year. The plan distributions shall be based on when the net revenues are received by the department.
673673
674674 E. The plan adopted under title 28, chapter 17, article 2 shall specify the distribution of monies collected under this section into the regional area road fund established pursuant to section 28-6302 or the public transportation fund established by section 48-5103. The plan shall distribute at least:
675675
676676 1. 52.5 percent of the revenues collected annually under this section to the regional area road fund.
677677
678678 2. 32.5 percent of the revenues collected annually under this section to the public transportation fund.
679679
680680 F. nOT MORE THAN FOURTEEN PERCENT OF THE REVENUES COLLECTED ANNUALLY UNDER THIS SECTION MAY BE SPENT ON LIGHT RAIL SYSTEMS IN A MANNER DESCRIBED IN SECTION 28-6352, SUBSECTION b, paragraph 3, subdivision (b).
681681
682682 g. tHIS SECTION DOES NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE UNLESS AT AN ELECTION HELD nOVEMBER 8, 2022 THE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION EXCISE TAX IS APPROVED BY THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS. END_STATUTE
683683
684684 Sec. 24. Section 48-5102, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
685685
686686 START_STATUTE48-5102. Regional public transportation authority in counties with population of three million or more persons; establishment
687687
688688 A. Beginning January 1, 1986, a regional public transportation authority is established in a county that has a population of one million two hundred thousand or more persons and that approves a transportation excise tax.
689689
690690 A. Beginning January 1, 2026, a regional public transportation authority is established in a county that has a population of three million or more persons and that approves a county transportation excise tax.
691691
692692 B. An authority is a tax levying public improvement district for all purposes of article XIII, section 7, Constitution of Arizona, and has the powers, privileges and immunities specifically granted by law. The authority's property, bonds, debts and other obligations and interest on and transfer of its bonds and obligations are free from taxation.
693693
694694 C. The authority may operate both within and outside the corporate limits of the member municipalities. END_STATUTE
695695
696696 Sec. 25. Section 48-5103, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
697697
698698 START_STATUTE48-5103. Public transportation fund
699699
700700 A. A public transportation fund is established for the authority. The fund consists of:
701701
702702 1. Monies appropriated by each municipality that is a member of the authority or the county, if it elected to enter into the authority. Each member municipality and member county shall appropriate monies to the public transportation fund in an amount determined by the board.
703703
704704 2. Monies appropriated by a county that has not elected to enter into the authority in an amount determined by the county board of supervisors.
705705
706706 3.  Transportation excise tax revenues that are allocated to the fund pursuant to section sections 42-6105 and 42-6105.01. The board shall separately account for monies from transportation excise tax revenues allocated pursuant to section 42-6105, subsection D, paragraph 3 or section 42-6105.01, subsection D, paragraph 2 for:
707707
708708 (a) A light rail public transit system.
709709
710710 (b) Capital costs for other public transportation.
711711
712712 (c) Operation and maintenance costs for other public transportation.
713713
714714 4. Monies distributed under title 28, chapter 17, article articles 1 and 2.
715715
716716 5. Grants, gifts or donations from public or private sources.
717717
718718 6. Monies granted by the federal government or appropriated by the legislature.
719719
720720 7. Fares or other revenues collected in operating a public transportation system.
721721
722722 B. On behalf of the authority, the fiscal agent shall administer monies paid into the public transportation fund. Monies in the fund may be spent pursuant to or to implement the public transportation element of the regional transportation plan as defined in section 28-6351 developed and approved by the regional planning agency, including reimbursement for utility relocation costs as prescribed in section 48-5107, adopted pursuant to section 48-5121 and for projects identified in the regional transportation plan adopted by the regional planning agency pursuant to section 28-6308 28-6352.
723723
724724 C. Monies in the fund shall not be spent to promote or advocate a position, alternative or outcome of an election, to influence public opinion or to pay or contract for consultants or advisors to influence public opinion with respect to an election regarding taxes or other sources of revenue for the fund or regarding the regional transportation plan as defined in section 28-6351. END_STATUTE
725725
726726 Sec. 26. Repeal
727727
728728 Sections 48-5106 and 48-5121, Arizona Revised Statutes, are repealed.
729729
730730 Sec. 27. Election on transportation excise tax
731731
732732 A. Before November 8, 2022, the board of supervisors of any county with a population of three million or more persons shall call a countywide election for the extension and levy of a county transportation excise tax as provided by section 42-6105.01, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act, and on November 8, 2022, the board of supervisors shall conduct the election.
733733
734734 B. In addition to any other requirements prescribed by law, the board of supervisors shall prepare and print an 8" x 11" publicity pamphlet concerning the ballot question and mail one copy of the pamphlet to each household containing a registered voter in the county. The mailings may be made over a period of days but shall be mailed for delivery before the earliest date registered voters may receive early ballots for the election. The publicity pamphlet shall contain:
735735
736736 1. A summary of the principal provisions of the issue presented to the voters, including the rate of the transportation excise tax, the number of years the tax will be in effect and the projected annual and cumulative amount of revenues to be raised.
737737
738738 2. A statement describing the purposes for which the transportation excise tax monies may be spent as provided by law, including:
739739
740740 (a) A summary of the regional strategic transportation infrastructure investment plan adopted pursuant to section 28-6308, Arizona Revised Statutes, as amended by this act.
741741
742742 (b) A map of proposed routes and transportation corridors of all major transportation projects.
743743
744744 (c) The estimated amount of transportation excise tax revenues, together with other identified revenues, dedicated for each transportation mode.
745745
746746 (d) The Maricopa county elections department website address for additional information on the regional strategic transportation infrastructure investment plan.
747747
748748 3. The form of the ballot.
749749
750750 4. Any arguments for or against the ballot measure. Affirmative arguments, arranged in the order in which the elections director received them, shall be placed before the negative arguments, also arranged in the order in which they were received.
751751
752752 C. On or before June 15, 2022, a person may file with the county elections director an argument, not more than three hundred words in length, advocating or opposing the ballot measure. The person who files the argument shall also pay to the elections director a publication fee prescribed by the board of supervisors. If the argument is sponsored by one or more individuals, the argument shall be signed by each sponsoring individual. If the argument is sponsored by one or more organizations, the argument shall be signed by two executive officers of each organization. If the argument is sponsored by one or more political committees, the argument shall be signed by each committee's chairperson or treasurer. Payment of the fee required by this subsection, or reimbursement of the payor, constitutes sponsorship of the argument. The names of persons who have signed arguments and the names of sponsoring organizations shall appear with the argument in the pamphlet. The person or persons signing the argument shall also give their residence or post office box address and a telephone number, which may not appear in the pamphlet.
753753
754754 D. In addition to any other ballot requirements prescribed by law, the elections director shall cause the following to be printed on the official ballot:
755755
756756 1. The designation of the measure as follows: "Relating to county transportation excise (sales) taxes".
757757
758758 2. The title: Regional Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Investment Plan.
759759
760760 3. A description of the ballot measure, which shall read as follows:
761761
762762 An economic development measure continuing the existing transportation excise tax to improve travel times and choices, reduce congestion, aid public safety, improve air quality and address the regional transportation system by building, modernizing and expanding new and existing freeways, streets and intersections, investing in future transportation technology and innovations, addressing transportation safety issues, extending the light rail system, improving and expanding regional bus transit and providing additional dial-a-ride services for the elderly and persons with disabilities, vanpool services and pedestrian paths and bikeways.
763763
764764 4. Instructions directing the voter to the full text of the official and descriptive titles containing the summary as printed in the sample ballot and posted in the polling place. The ballot may include the summary of the regional strategic transportation infrastructure investment plan.
765765
766766 5. The question submitted to the voters as follows:
767767
768768 Do you favor the continuation of a county transaction privilege (sales) tax for regional transportation purposes in _________ county? YES _________ NO _________
769769
770770 (A "YES" vote has the effect of continuing the transaction privilege (sales) tax in __________ county for twenty-five years to provide funding for transportation projects as contained in the regional strategic transportation infrastructure investment plan.)
771771
772772 (A "NO" vote has the effect of rejecting the transaction privilege (sales) tax for transportation purposes in __________ county.)
773773
774774 E. Except as otherwise provided by this section, the election under this section shall be conducted as nearly as practicable in the manner prescribed for general elections in title 16, Arizona Revised Statutes. The county election officer shall account for costs specifically incurred with respect to the ballot issue under this section. Regardless of the outcome of the election, and notwithstanding any other law, the state treasurer shall pay the costs listed in this subsection specifically incurred with respect to the ballot issue under this section from monies paid into the county's regional area road fund on submission of the bill by the county election officer. Costs specifically incurred with respect to the ballot issue under this section include the following:
775775
776776 1. Costs of mailing, publishing, posting and printing ballots, publicity pamphlets, notices, election materials and other matters concerning the election.
777777
778778 2. Legal and other consulting fees and costs relating to the election.
779779
780780 3. Telecommunications costs.
781781
782782 4. Compensation of the election board, county election officers and employees and other labor costs incurred to administer, hold, canvass and announce the results of the election.
783783
784784 5. Any other costs attributable to the election.
785785
786786 F. This section does not constitute a submission of any provision of law to the people for approval under the power of the referendum.
787787
788788 G. Except as specifically provided in this section, the general laws relating to elections apply to the election prescribed by this section.
789789
790790 Sec. 28. Regional public transportation authority
791791
792792 This act does not invalidate an action by a regional public transportation authority formed pursuant to law before the effective date of this act.
793793
794794 Sec. 29. Emergency
795795
796796 This act is an emergency measure that is necessary to preserve the public peace, health or safety and is operative immediately as provided by law.