wa-law.org > bill > 2023-24 > SB 5402 > Original Bill
As used in this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
In addition to the powers specifically granted by this chapter a public transportation benefit area shall have all powers which are necessary to carry out the purposes of the public transportation benefit area. A public transportation benefit area may contract with the United States or any agency thereof, any state or agency thereof, any other public transportation benefit area, any county, city, metropolitan municipal corporation, special district, or governmental agency, within or without the state, and any private person, firm or corporation for the purpose of receiving gifts or grants or securing loans or advances for preliminary planning and feasibility studies, or for the design, construction or operation of transportation facilities. In addition a public transportation benefit area may contract with any governmental agency or with any private person, firm or corporation for the use by either contracting party of all or any part of the facilities, structures, lands, interests in lands, air rights over lands and rights-of-way of all kinds which are owned, leased or held by the other party and for the purpose of planning, constructing or operating any facility or performing any service which the public transportation benefit area may be authorized to operate or perform, on such terms as may be agreed upon by the contracting parties. Before any contract for the lease or operation of any public transportation benefit area facilities shall be let to any private person, firm or corporation, a general schedule of rental rates for bus equipment with or without drivers shall be publicly posted applicable to all private certificated carriers, and for other facilities competitive bids shall first be called upon such notice, bidder qualifications and bid conditions as the public transportation benefit area authority shall determine.
A public transportation benefit area may sue and be sued in its corporate capacity in all courts and in all proceedings.
A public transportation benefit area may become a limited authority Washington law enforcement agency, as defined under RCW 10.93.020.
Designated officers, employed by a public transportation benefit area, shall be vested with police powers to enforce the general criminal statutes or ordinances of the state:
Within the boundaries of lands and property owned or managed by the public transportation benefit area;
Within transportation facilities owned or managed by the public transportation benefit area, including but not limited to passenger terminal and parking facilities and properties; and
Within any bus or other mode of public transportation owned or managed by the public transportation benefit area.
Designated officers, employed by a public transportation benefit area, are authorized to issue traffic infractions for violations of state or local laws, ordinances, regulations, or resolutions relating to the stopping, standing, or parking of a vehicle that occur on property owned or managed by the public transportation benefit area or areas designated for buses or other modes of public transportation owned or managed by the public transportation benefit area, including but not limited to bus stops, bus lanes, and bus zones.
Designated officers, employed by a public transportation benefit area, are authorized to enforce the public transportation area's rules, regulations, and policies regarding passenger conduct.
Nothing in this section shall preclude general authority Washington peace officers as defined in RCW 10.93.020 from exercising concurrent jurisdiction with designated officers employed by a public transportation benefit area with respect to enforcing the laws, ordinances, regulations, or resolutions described in subsections (1) and (2) of this section.
The authority granted to public benefit transportation areas in this section is in addition to any other authority provided by law.