HB 5731 Summary

• Creates a regional transit authority for any public transit region containing a city with population exceeding 700,000 to plan, acquire, own, and operate public transit systems.

• Authority governed by board consisting of governor's representative and one member from each transit district, with members appointed by chief executives of their respective districts and serving four-year terms.

• Authority may raise revenues through fares, federal/state grants, property sales, and taxes approved by majority of regional electors, with requirement that 100% of revenues collected in each county be spent on services in that county.

• Authority authorized to issue self-liquidating revenue bonds and municipal securities for transit system acquisition and improvements, with bonds exempt from most state and local taxes.

• Counties not initially in public transit region may petition to join through board approval if adjacent to region, becoming provisional members without voting power until voters approve any authority tax levy.