NC S609

Creates new Chapter 136A establishing Regional Transportation Funding Agreements (RTFA) allowing two or more local governments within the same EPA ozone attainment area to jointly finance, construct, and operate regional transportation projects.

Participating counties must meet specific eligibility requirements including: having only one Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in the ozone attainment area, including all counties and municipalities over 5,000 population, and not being part of existing transportation authorities.

Authorizes participating counties to levy a one-half percent (1/2%) sales and use tax and a five cents (5¢) per gallon tax on gasoline and diesel fuel, with all tax proceeds dedicated solely to eligible transportation projects.

Requires that at least 35% of total project costs be dedicated to public transportation or mass transit projects, and that all projects be completed within seven years of being placed on the eligible projects list.

Recodifies existing transportation authority statutes from Chapter 160A (Articles 25, 26, and 27) into new Chapter 136A (Articles 2, 3, and 4) with corresponding section number changes.