NC H948

Authorizes Mecklenburg County to hold an advisory referendum on a 1% local sales and use tax for roadway systems and public transportation, with 40% of proceeds distributed to eligible municipalities for roadways and 60% to a new metropolitan public transportation authority

Creates a new Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority for Mecklenburg County with a 27-member board of trustees appointed by the county, municipalities, General Assembly, and Governor, which would assume control of the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS)

Requires the Authority to complete at least 50% of the "Red Line" rail project (connecting Charlotte through Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville) before completing any other rail project, and limits rail project spending to no more than two-thirds of public transportation funds over any 30-year period

Redirects existing Mecklenburg County public transportation sales tax and U-Drive-It tax revenues from the City of Charlotte to the new metropolitan public transportation authority once the additional tax is levied

Expands the definition of "public transportation system" to include tunnels and automated transport infrastructure (such as hyperloop), and defines "roadway system" to include EV charging stations, intelligent transportation technologies, and cybersecurity protections