Transportation

On the Transportation front, the Dulles Regional Chamber (DRCC) followed the lead of the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance this session, and the following highlights some of the bills we included in our advocacy efforts:

• HB 2527 (Howell)/SB 1446 (Wampler) – Governor’s Omnibus Transportation Proposal, including the following components:

• Accelerates the issuance of $1.8 billion in previously authorized Capital Project Revenue Bonds (HB 3202) by increasing the yearly allowable limit from $300 million to $600 million;
• Authorizes the Commonwealth Transportation Board to issue $1.1 billion in federally backed direct GARVEE bonds;
• Creates the Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Bank, funded with $150 million from the FY2010 surplus and $250 million identified during the comprehensive VDOT audit (Note: Final bill provided only $32.7 million in General Funds);
• Enables the Governor to dedicate up to 2% of general fund revenue growth over 5% to transportation (Note: Final version excluded this provision);
• Authorizes the Governor to dedicate 2/3 of the general fund surplus to the Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Bank and gives transportation greater priority in receiving surplus funds (Note: Final bill excluded this provision);
• Eliminates the $1 million per project and $50 million programmatic limits, as well as the prioritization process for selecting projects, in VDOT’s revenue sharing program; and
• Creates the Intercity Passenger Rail Capital and Operating Fund.

The Conference Report for these bills was ultimately agreed to by House 80-Y 16-N, and by Senate 33-Y 7-N. (Updated 03/2011)

• HB 1957 (Rust)/SB 1135 (Wagner) – Powers and duties of CTB. This legislation makes various changes to the powers and duties of the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB): (i) clarifies that local roads in counties outside the state secondary highway system are local roads, and not part of the state system; (ii) increases the limitation on contract values that the Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner and the Director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation may let; (iii) eliminates the duty of the CTB to regulate outdoor theaters; (iv) provides for the updating of the Statewide Transportation Plan every four years (instead of five); and (v) repeals the section that allows the CTB to designate its employees as special police officers. It was passed by the House and Senate. (Updated 03/2011)

• HB 2404 (Rust/Oder)/SB 1394 (McWaters) – Retain 0.25% of discretionary sales tax generated within Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia for transportation improvements in those regions. These bills were additional components of the Governor’s transportation package and the DRCC supported them. Unfortunately, neither bill was successful this session. The Senate bill was killed in the Senate Finance Committee, where, during the hearing of the bill, there were many speakers from all walks of life who were opposed to the use of any general funds for transportation purposes. There was also significant concern expressed about northern Virginia and Hampton Roads benefiting from this legislation at the expense of other parts of the Commonwealth. The House version of the bill was left in the House Appropriations Committee. (Updated 03/2011)