Title 33.2. Highways and Other Surface Transportation Systems
Subtitle IV. Local and Regional Transportation.
Chapter 19. Transportation District Act of 1964.
Article 1. General Provisions.
§ 33.2-1900. Declaration of policy.The development of transportation systems, composed of transit facilities, public highways, and other modes of transport, is necessary for the orderly growth and development of the urban areas of the Commonwealth; for the safety, comfort, and convenience of its citizens; and for the economical utilization of public funds. The provision of the necessary facilities and services cannot be achieved by the unilateral action of the counties and cities, and the attainment thereof requires planning and action on a regional basis, conducted cooperatively and on a continuing basis, between representatives of the affected political subdivisions and the Commonwealth Transportation Board. In those urban areas of the Commonwealth that together form a single metropolitan area, solutions must be jointly sought with the affected political subdivisions and highway departments. Such joint action should be conducted in a manner that preserves, to the extent the necessity for joint action permits, local autonomy over patterns of growth and development of each participating political subdivision or locality. The requisite joint action may best be achieved through the device of a transportation district, having the powers, functions, and duties set forth in this chapter. In the provision of improved or expanded transit facilities, it is the policy of the Commonwealth to make use of private enterprise to the extent reasonably practicable.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1343; 1986, c. 438; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4501; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-1901. Definitions.As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Agency" or "such agency" means an agency authorized by, or arising from action of, the General Assembly to plan for or provide transportation facilities and service for a metropolitan area located wholly or in part in the Commonwealth.
"Commission" or "district commission" means the governing body of a district.
"Component governments" means the counties and cities composing a transportation district and the various departments, bureaus, and divisions of such counties and cities.
"District" means a transportation district authorized to be created by this chapter.
"Governing bodies" means the boards of supervisors of counties and councils of cities composing a transportation district.
"Metropolitan area" means a metropolitan statistical area as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Office of Management and Budget or any contiguous counties or cities within the Commonwealth that together constitute an urban area.
"Person" means an individual, partnership, association, or corporation or any governmental agency or authority.
"State," when applied to a part of the United States, includes any of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
"Transportation facilities," "transit facilities," or "facilities" means all those matters and things utilized in rendering transportation service by means of rail, bus, water, or air and any other mode of travel, including tracks, rights-of-way, bridges, tunnels, subways, and rolling stock for rail, motor vehicle, marine, and air transportation; stations, terminals, and ports; areas for parking; buildings; structures; and all equipment, fixtures, and business activities reasonably required for the performance of transportation service, but does not include any such facilities owned by any person, company, association, or corporation the major part of whose transportation service extends beyond a transportation district created in this chapter.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1344; 1986, c. 438; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4502; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-1902. Authorization to issue summons.Conductors of railroad trains, motormen, and station and depot agents of any transportation district created pursuant to this chapter shall have the power to issue a summons for any violation of § 18.2-160.1 with respect to any train operated by or under contract with such transportation district.
1988, c. 762, § 15.1-1344.1; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4503; 2014, c. 805.
Article 2. Creation of Districts.
§ 33.2-1903. Procedure for creation of districts.A. Any two or more counties or cities may, in conformance with the procedure set forth in this section, or as otherwise may be provided by law, constitute a transportation district and shall have and exercise the powers set forth in this section and such additional powers as may be granted by the General Assembly. A transportation district may be created by ordinance adopted by the governing body of each participating county and city, which ordinances shall (i) set forth the name of the proposed transportation district, which shall include the words "transit district" or "transportation district," (ii) fix the boundaries thereof, (iii) name the counties and cities that are in whole or in part to be embraced therein, and (iv) contain a finding that the orderly growth and development of the county or city and the comfort, convenience, and safety of its citizens require an improved transportation system, composed of transit facilities, public highways, and other modes of transport, and that joint action through a transportation district by the counties and cities that are to compose the proposed transportation district will facilitate the planning and development of the needed transportation system. Such ordinances shall be filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth and, upon certification by that officer to the Tax Commissioner and the governing body of each of the participating counties and cities that the ordinances required by this chapter have been filed and, upon the basis of the facts set forth therein, satisfy such requirements, the territory defined in such ordinances, upon the entry of such certification in the minutes of the proceedings of the governing body of each of the counties and cities, shall be and constitute a transportation district for all of the purposes of this chapter, known and designated by the name stated in the ordinances.
B. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, any county or city may, subject to the applicable provisions of this chapter, constitute itself a transportation district in the event that no governing body of any contiguous county or city wishes to combine for such purpose, provided that the governing body of such single locality transportation district shall comply with the provisions of subsection A by adopting an ordinance that (i) sets forth the name of the proposed transportation district, which shall include the words "transit district" or "transportation district"; (ii) fixes, in such county or city, the boundaries thereof; (iii) names the county or city that is in whole or in part to be embraced therein; and (iv) contains a finding that the orderly growth and development of the county or city and the comfort, convenience, and safety of its citizens require an improved transportation district, composed of transit facilities, public highways, and other modes of transport, and that joint action with contiguous counties and cities has not been agreed to at this time, but that the formation of a transportation district will facilitate the planning and development of the needed transportation system, and shall file such ordinance in the manner and mode required by subsection A. At such time as the governing body of any contiguous county or city desires to combine with the original locality for the formation of an enlarged transportation district, it shall enter into an agreement with the commission of the original transportation district on such terms and conditions, consistent with the provisions of this chapter, as may be agreed upon by such commission and such additional county or city, and in conformance with the following procedures. The governing body of the county or city having jurisdiction over the territory to be added to the original transportation district shall adopt an ordinance specifying the area to be enlarged, containing the finding specified in clause (iv) of subsection A, and a statement that a contract or agreement between the county or city and the commission specifying the terms and conditions of admittance to the transportation district has been executed. The ordinance, to which shall be attached a certified copy of such contract, shall be filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth and, upon certification by that officer to the Tax Commissioner, the commission, and the governing body of each of the component counties and cities that the ordinance required by this section has been filed, and that the terms thereof conform to the requirements of this section, such additional county, or part thereof, or city, upon the entry of such certification in the minutes of the proceedings of the governing body of such county or city, shall become a component government of the transportation district and the county, or portion thereof specified, or city shall be embraced by the transportation district.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1345; 1966, c. 419; 1972, c. 832; 1973, c. 324; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4504; 2006, c. 354; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-1904. Northern Virginia Transportation District and Commission.A. There is hereby created the Northern Virginia Transportation District (the District), comprising the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, and Loudoun; the Cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax; and such other county or city contiguous to the District that agrees to join the District.
B. There is hereby established the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (the Commission) as a transportation commission pursuant to this chapter. The Commission shall consist of five nonlegislative citizen members from Fairfax County, three nonlegislative citizen members from Arlington County, two nonlegislative citizen members from Loudoun County, two nonlegislative citizen members from the City of Alexandria, one nonlegislative member from the City of Falls Church, one nonlegislative citizen member from the City of Fairfax, and the Chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board or his designee to serve ex officio with voting privileges. If a county or city contiguous to the District agrees to join the District, such locality shall appoint one nonlegislative citizen member to the Commission. Members from the counties and cities shall be appointed from their respective governing bodies. The Commission shall also include four members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates who may be members of the House of Delegates and two members of the Senate appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. All legislative members shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office. Members may be reappointed for successive terms. All members shall be citizens of the Commonwealth. Except for the Chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board or his designee, all members of the Commission shall be residents of the localities composing the District. Vacancies occurring other than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.
2004, c. 1000, § 15.1-4503.1; 2014, c. 805; 2016, cc. 117, 374.
Article 3. Incorporation of District; Creation, Organization, Etc., of Commission.
§ 33.2-1905. District a body corporate.Each transportation district created pursuant to this chapter, or pursuant to an act of the General Assembly, is hereby created as a body corporate and politic under the name of, and to be known by, the name of the district with the word "commission" appended.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1346; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4505; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-1906. Creation of commission to control corporation.In and for each transportation district a commission is hereby created to manage and control the functions, affairs, and property of the corporation and to exercise all of the rights, powers, and authority and perform all of the duties conferred or imposed upon the corporation.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1347; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4506; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-1907. Members of transportation commissions.A. Any transportation district commission created pursuant to this chapter shall consist of the number of members the component governments shall agree upon, or as may otherwise be provided by law. The governing body of each participating county and city shall appoint from among its members the number of commissioners to which the county or city is entitled; however, for those commissions with powers as set forth in subsection A of § 33.2-1915, the governing body of each participating county or city is not limited to appointing commissioners from among its members. In addition, the governing body may appoint, from its number or otherwise, designated alternate members for those appointed to the commission who shall be able to exercise all of the powers and duties of a commission member when the regular member is absent from commission meetings. Each such appointee shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing body; however, no appointee to a commission with powers as set forth in subsection B of § 33.2-1915 may continue to serve when he is no longer a member of the appointing body. Each governing body shall inform the commission of its appointments to and removals from the commission by delivering to the commission a certified copy of the resolution making the appointment or causing the removal.
The Chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board, or his designee, shall be a member of each commission, ex officio with voting privileges. The Chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board may appoint an alternate member who may exercise all the powers and duties of the Chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board when neither the Chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board nor his designee is present at a commission meeting.
The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission shall also include two members who reside within the boundaries of the transportation district appointed by the Speaker of the House who may be members of the House of Delegates and one member of the Senate appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. Each legislative member shall be from a legislative district located wholly or in part within the boundaries of the transportation district and shall serve a term coincident with his term of office. The members of the General Assembly shall be eligible for reappointment for successive terms. Vacancies occurring other than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.
The Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads shall include one member of the House of Delegates and one member of the Senate, one of whom shall represent a district that includes the City of Hampton or Newport News and one of whom shall represent a district that includes the City of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, or Virginia Beach. The member of the House of Delegates shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates for a term coincident with his term of office, and the member of the Senate shall be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules for a term coincident with his term of office. The members of the General Assembly shall be eligible for reappointment for successive terms, and vacancies occurring other than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term. The Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads shall also consist of one nonlegislative citizen member appointed by the Governor from each county and city embraced by the transportation district. Nonlegislative citizen members shall have experience in at least one of the following fields: transit, transportation, or land use planning; management of transit, transportation, or other public sector operations; public budgeting or finance; corporate communications; government oversight; or state or local government. All gubernatorial appointments shall be for terms of four years. The governing body of each such county or city may appoint either a member of its governing body or its county or city manager to serve as an ex officio member with voting privileges. Every such ex officio member shall be allowed to attend all meetings of the commission that other members may be required to attend. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.
B. The Secretary or his designee and any appointed member of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission are authorized to serve as members of the board of directors of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (§ 33.2-3100 et seq.) and while so serving the provisions of § 2.2-2800 shall not apply to such member. In appointing Virginia members of the board of directors of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission shall include the Secretary or his designee as a principal member on the board of directors of WMATA. Any designee serving as the principal member must reside in a locality served by WMATA.
In selecting from its membership those members to serve on the board of directors of WMATA, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission shall comply with the following requirements:
1. A board member shall not have been an employee of WMATA within one year of appointment to serve on the board of directors.
2. A board member shall have (i) experience in at least one of the fields of transit planning, transportation planning, or land use planning; transit or transportation management or other public sector management; engineering; finance; public safety; homeland security; human resources; or the law or (ii) knowledge of the region's transportation issues derived from working on regional transportation issue resolution.
3. A board member shall be a regular patron of the services provided by WMATA.
4. Board members shall serve a term of four years with a maximum of two consecutive terms. A board member's term or terms must coincide with his term on the body that appointed him to the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission. Any vacancy created if a board member cannot fulfill his term because his term on the appointing body has ended shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the member being replaced was appointed within 60 days of the vacancy. The initial appointments to a four-year term will be as follows: the Secretary, or his designee, for a term of four years; the second principal member for a term of three years; one alternate for a term of two years; and the remaining alternate for a term of one year. Thereafter, board members shall be appointed for terms of four years. Service on the WMATA board of directors prior to July 1, 2012, shall not be considered in determining length of service. Any person appointed to an initial one-year or two-year term, or appointed to an unexpired term in which two years or less is remaining, shall be eligible to serve two consecutive four-year terms after serving the initial or unexpired term.
5. Members may be removed from the board of directors of WMATA if they attend fewer than three-fourths of the meetings in a calendar year; if they are conflicted due to employment at WMATA; or if they are found to be in violation of the State and Local Government Conflict of Interests Act (§ 2.2-3100 et seq.). If a board member is removed during a term, the vacancy shall be filled pursuant to the provisions of subdivision 4.
6. Each member of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission appointed to the board of directors of WMATA shall file semiannual reports with the Secretary's office beginning July 1, 2012. The reports shall include (i) the dates of attendance at WMATA board meetings, (ii) any reasons for not attending a specific meeting, and (iii) dates and attendance at other WMATA-related public events.
7. Each nonelected member of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission appointed to the board of directors of WMATA shall be eligible to receive reasonable and necessary expenses and compensation pursuant to §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825 from the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission for attending meetings and for the performance of his official duties as a board member on that day.
Any entity that provides compensation to a WMATA board member for his service on the WMATA board shall be required to submit on July 1 of each year to the Secretary the amount of that compensation. Such letter will remain on file with the Secretary's office and be available for public review.
C. When the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission and the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission enter into an agreement to operate a commuter railway, the agreement governing the creation of the railway shall provide that the Chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board or his designee shall have one vote on the oversight board for the railway. For each year in which the state contribution to the railway is greater than or equal to the highest contribution from an individual locality, the total annual subsidy as provided by the member localities used to determine vote weights shall be recalculated to include the Commonwealth contributing an amount equal to the highest contributing locality. The vote weights shall be recalculated to provide the Chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board or his designee the same weight as the highest contributing locality. The revised vote weights shall be used in determining the passage of motions before the oversight board.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1348; 1966, c. 419; 1973, c. 231; 1975, c. 179; 1977, c. 137; 1986, c. 438; 1987, c. 441; 1993, c. 867; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4507; 2000, cc. 439, 443; 2004, c. 1000; 2011, c. 515; 2012, c. 377; 2013, c. 589; 2014, cc. 655, 721, 805; 2016, c. 130; 2018, Sp. Sess. I, c. 2; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 435.
§ 33.2-1908. Officers of commission.Within 30 days after the appointment of the original commission members, the commission shall meet on the call of any member and shall elect one of its members as chairman and another as vice-chairman, each to serve for a term of one year or until his successor is elected and qualified. The commission shall employ a secretary and treasurer, who may or may not be a member of the commission, and, if not a commission member, fix his compensation and duties. All officers shall be eligible for reelection. Each commission member, before entering on the performance of his public duties, shall take and subscribe the oath or affirmation specified in Article II, Section 7 of the Constitution of Virginia. Such oath may be administered by any person authorized to administer oaths under § 49-4.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1349; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 1; 1987, c. 153; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4508; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-1909. Bonds of members.Each commission member shall, before entering upon the discharge of his duties under this chapter, give bond payable to the Commonwealth in a form approved by the Attorney General, in such penalty as fixed by the Governor, with some surety or guaranty company authorized to do business in the Commonwealth and approved by the Governor, as security, conditioned upon the faithful discharge of his duties. The premium of such bonds shall be paid by the commission and the bonds shall be filed with and preserved by the Department of the Treasury's Division of Risk Management.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1350; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4509; 2002, c. 32; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-1910. Compensation and expenses of members.The commission members shall receive no salary but shall be entitled to reimbursement of all reasonable and necessary expenses and compensation allowed members of the Commonwealth Transportation Board for the performance of their official duties as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1351; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4510; 2004, c. 1000; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-1911. Meetings of commission.Regular meetings of the commission shall be held at least once every month at such time and place as the commission shall prescribe. Special meetings of the commission shall be held upon mailed notice, or actual notice otherwise given, to each commission member upon call of the chairman or any two commission members, at such time and in such place within the district as such notice may specify, or at such other time and place with or without notice as all commission members may expressly approve. All regular and special meetings of the commission shall be open to the public, but the public shall not be entitled to any notice other than provided in this section. Unless a meeting is called for the purpose of a public hearing, members of the public shall have no right to be heard or otherwise participate in the proceedings of the meeting, except to the extent the chairman may in specific instances grant. All commission records shall be public records.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1352; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4511; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-1912. Quorum and action by commission.A majority of the commission, which majority shall include at least one commissioner from a majority of the component governments, shall constitute a quorum. Members of the commission who are members of the General Assembly shall not be counted in determining a quorum while the General Assembly is in session. The Chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board or his designee shall be included for the purposes of constituting a quorum. The presence of a quorum and a vote of the majority of the members necessary to constitute a quorum of all the members appointed to the commission, including an affirmative vote from a majority of the members, shall be necessary to take any action. The Chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board or his designee shall have voting rights equal to appointees of component governments on all matters brought before the commission. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 2.2-3708.2, members of the General Assembly may participate in the meetings of the commission through electronic communication means while the General Assembly is in session.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1353; 1966, c. 419; 1975, c. 7; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4512; 2004, c. 1000; 2013, c. 589; 2014, c. 805; 2018, c. 55.
§ 33.2-1913. Funds of commission.A. All moneys of a commission, whether derived from any contract of the commission or from any other source, shall be collected, received, held, secured, and disbursed in accordance with any relevant contract of the commission. This section shall apply to such moneys only if and to the extent they are consistent with such commission contracts.
B. Such moneys shall not be required to be paid into the state treasury or into the treasury or to any officer of any county or city.
C. All such moneys shall be deposited by the commission in a separate bank account, appropriately designated, in banks or trust companies designated by the commission.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1355; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4513; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-1914. Accounts and records.Every commission shall keep and preserve complete and accurate accounts and records of all moneys received and disbursed; business and operations; and all property and funds it owns, manages, or controls. Each commission shall prepare and transmit to the Governor and to the governing body of each county and city within the district, annually and at such other times as the Governor requires, complete and accurate reports of the state and content of such accounts and records, together with other relevant information as the Governor may require.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1356; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4514; 2014, c. 805.
Article 4. Powers and Functions of Commission.
§ 33.2-1915. Powers and functions generally.A. Notwithstanding any other contrary provision of law, a commission shall, except as provided in subsection B, have the following powers and functions:
1. The commission shall prepare the transportation plan for the transportation district and shall revise and amend the plan in accordance with the planning process and procedures specified in Article 7 (§ 33.2-1928 et seq.).
2. The commission may, when a transportation plan is adopted according to Article 7 (§ 33.2-1928 et seq.), construct or acquire, by purchase or lease, the transportation facilities specified in such transportation plan.
3. The commission may enter into agreements or leases with private companies for the operation of its facilities or may operate such facilities itself.
4. The commission may enter into contracts or agreements with the counties and cities within the transportation district, with counties and cities that adjoin the transportation district and are within the same planning district, or with other commissions of adjoining transportation districts to provide, or cause to be provided, transit facilities and service to such counties and cities or to provide transit facilities and other modes of transportation between adjoining transportation districts. Such contracts or agreements, together with any agreements or leases for the operation of such facilities, may be utilized by the transportation district to finance the construction and operation of transportation facilities, and such contracts, agreements, or leases shall inure to the benefit of any creditor of the transportation district.
However, except in any transportation district containing any or all of the Counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, and Henrico or the City of Richmond, being so delegated by the respective local governments, the commission shall not have the power to regulate services provided by taxicabs, either within municipalities or across municipal boundaries, which regulation is expressly reserved to the municipalities within which taxicabs operate. In any transportation district containing any or all of the Counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, and Henrico or the City of Richmond, the commission may, upon proper authority granted by the respective component governments, regulate services provided by taxicabs, either within localities or across county or city boundaries.
B. The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission:
1. Shall not prepare a transportation plan or construct or operate transit facilities, but shall collaborate and cooperate in the manner specified in Article 7 (§ 33.2-1928 et seq.) with an agency in preparing, revising, and amending a transportation plan for such metropolitan area.
2. Shall, according to Article 7 (§ 33.2-1928 et seq.) and in cooperation with the governing bodies of the component governments embraced by the transportation district, formulate the tentative policy and decisions of the transportation district with respect to the planning, design, location, construction, operation, and financing of transportation facilities.
3. May, when a transportation plan applicable to such a transportation district is adopted, enter into contracts or agreements with an agency to contribute to the capital required for the construction or acquisition of transportation facilities and for meeting expenses and obligations in the operations of such facilities.
4. May, when a transportation plan applicable to such transportation district is adopted, enter into contracts or agreements with the counties and cities within the transportation district to provide or cause to be provided transportation facilities and service to such counties and cities.
5. Notwithstanding any other provision in this section to the contrary:
a. May acquire land or any interest therein by purchase, lease, gift, condemnation, or otherwise and provide transportation facilities thereon for use in connection with any transportation service;
b. May acquire land or any interest therein by purchase, lease, gift, condemnation, or otherwise in advance of need for sale or contribution to an agency, for use by that agency in connection with an adopted mass transit plan;
c. May, in accordance with the terms of any grant from or loan by the United States of America or the Commonwealth, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, or when necessary to preserve essential transportation service, acquire transit facilities or any carrier that is subject to the jurisdiction of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission by acquisition of the capital stock or transit facilities and other assets of any such carrier and shall provide for the performance of transportation by any such carrier or with such transit facilities by contract or lease. However, the contract or lease shall be for a term of no more than one year, renewable for additional terms of similar duration, and, in order to assure acceptable fare levels, may provide for financial assistance by purchase of service, operating subsidies, or otherwise. No such service shall be rendered that will adversely affect transit service rendered by the transit facilities owned or controlled by the agency or any existing private transit or transportation company. When notified by the agency that it is authorized to perform or cause to be performed transportation services with motor vehicle facilities, the commission, upon request by the agency, shall transfer such capital stock or transit facilities to the agency at a price to be agreed upon; and
d. May prepare a plan for mass transportation services with cities, counties, agencies, authorities, or commissions and may further contract with transportation companies, cities, counties, commissions, authorities, agencies, and departments of the Commonwealth and appropriate agencies of the federal government or governments contiguous to the Commonwealth to provide necessary facilities, equipment, operations and maintenance, access, and insurance pursuant to such plan.
C. The provisions of subdivisions B 1 through 4 and subdivisions B 5 b and c shall not apply (i) to any transportation district that may be established on or after July 1, 1986, and that includes any one or more localities that are located within a metropolitan area, but that were not, on January 1, 1986, members of any other transportation district or (ii) to any locality that, after July 1, 1989, joins a transportation district that was established on or before January 1, 1986. The provisions of this subsection shall apply only to any transportation district or locality that is contiguous to the Northern Virginia Transportation District. Any such district or locality shall be subject to the provisions of subsection A and further may exercise the powers granted by subdivision B 5 a to acquire land or any interest therein by purchase, lease, gift, condemnation, or otherwise and provide transportation facilities thereon for use in connection with any transportation service.
D. Until such time as a commission enters into contracts or agreements with its component governments under the provisions of subdivisions A 4 and B 4 and is receiving revenues thereunder adequate to meet the administrative expenses of the commission after paying or providing for the payment of the obligations arising under said subdivisions, the administrative expenses of the commission shall be borne by the component governments in the manner set forth in this section. The commission annually shall submit to the governing bodies of the component counties and cities a budget of its administrative requirements for the next year.
E. The administrative expenses of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, to the extent funds for such expenses are not provided from other sources, shall be allocated among the component governments on the basis of population as reflected by the latest population statistics of the U.S. Census Bureau; however, upon the request of any component government, the commission shall make the allocation upon estimates of population prepared in a manner approved by the commission and by the governing body of the component government making such request. The administrative expenses of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, to the extent funds for such expenses are not provided from other sources, shall be allocated among the component governments on the basis of the relative shares of state and federal transit aids allocated by the Commission among its component governments. Such budget shall be limited solely to the administrative expenses of the Commission and shall not include any funds for construction or acquisition of transportation facilities or the performing of transportation service. In addition, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission annually shall submit to the governing bodies of the component counties and cities a budget of its other expenses and obligations for the ensuing year. Such expenses and obligations shall be borne by the component counties and cities in accordance with prior arrangements made therefor.
F. When a transportation plan has been adopted under subdivision 4 of § 33.2-1929, the commission shall determine the equitable allocation among the component governments of the costs incurred by the district in providing the transportation facilities proposed in the transportation plan and any expenses and obligations from the operation thereof to be borne by each county and city. In making such determinations, the commission shall consider the cost of the facilities located within each county and city, the population of each county and city, the benefits to be derived by each county and city from the proposed transportation service, and all other factors that the commission determines to be relevant. Such determination, however, shall not create a commitment by the counties and cities, and such commitments shall be created only under the contracts or agreements specified in subdivisions A 4 and B 4.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1357; 1970, c. 449; 1972, c. 791; 1974, cc. 161, 566; 1975, c. 6; 1976, c. 566; 1981, c. 444; 1985, c. 257; 1986, c. 438; 1987, c. 158; 1989, c. 150; 1991, c. 231; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4515; 2014, c. 805; 2015, c. 256.
§ 33.2-1916. Commission control of transportation district.The commission may exercise exclusive control, notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, of matters of regulation of fares, schedules, franchising agreements, and routing of transit facilities within the boundaries of its transportation district; however, the provisions of § 5.1-7 shall be applicable to airport commissions.
1972, c. 832, § 15.1-1357.1; 1973, c. 392; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4516; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-1917. Protection of employees of public transportation systems.In any county or city, the commission referred to in § 33.2-1915, in addition to other prohibitions, shall not operate any such transit facility, or otherwise provide or cause to be provided any transportation services, unless fair and equitable arrangements have been made for the protection of employees of existing public transportation systems in the transportation district or in the metropolitan area in which the transportation district is located. Such protections shall include (i) assurances of employment to employees of such transportation systems to the fullest extent possible consistent with sound management, and priority of employment or, if terminated or laid off, reemployment; (ii) preservation of rights, privileges, and benefits, including continuation of pension rights and benefits, under existing collective bargaining agreements or otherwise; (iii) continuation of collective bargaining rights; (iv) protection of individual employees against a worsening of their positions with respect to their employment, to the extent provided by 49 U.S.C. § 5333 (b), also known as § 13(c) of the Federal Transit Act; and (v) paid training and retraining programs. Such protections shall be specified by the commission in any contract or lease for the acquisition or operation of any such transit facilities or services. The employees of any transit facility operated by the commission shall have the right, in the case of any labor dispute relating to the terms and conditions of their employment for the purpose of resolving such dispute, to submit the dispute to final and binding arbitration by an impartial umpire or board of arbitration acceptable to the parties.
1974, c. 53, § 15.1-1357.2; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4517; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-1918. Background checks of applicants and employees.A. Any commission created pursuant to this chapter may require any individual who is offered a position of employment with the commission, or with any contractor of the commission when such individual is to be assigned to directly provide transit services to the public under a contract with the commission, to submit to fingerprinting and to provide personal descriptive information to be forwarded along with the individual's fingerprints through the Central Criminal Records Exchange to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information regarding such individual. The commission shall bear all costs of obtaining criminal history record information regarding such individual, including expenses incurred by the State Police in connection with such fingerprinting or criminal records check. The commission may require such individual or contractor to reimburse the commission for the cost of the fingerprinting or a criminal records check or both.
B. The Central Criminal Records Exchange, upon receipt of an individual's record or notification that no record exists, shall make a report to the commission's chief administrative officer, who must belong to a governmental entity. The information shall not be disseminated except as provided for in this section.
2010, cc. 189, 563, § 15.1-4517.1; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-1919. Additional powers.Without limiting or restricting the general powers created by this chapter, the commission may:
1. Adopt and have a common seal and alter the seal at pleasure;
2. Sue and be sued;
3. Make regulations for the conduct of its business;
4. Make and enter into all contracts or agreements, as the commission may determine, that are necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and to the execution of the powers granted under this chapter;
5. Apply for and accept loans and grants of money or materials or property at any time from the United States of America or the Commonwealth or any agency or instrumentality thereof, for itself or as an agent on behalf of the component governments or any one or more of them, and in connection therewith purchase or lease as lessor or lessee any transit facilities required under the terms of any such grant made to enable the commission to exercise its powers under subdivision B 5 of § 33.2-1915;
6. In the name of the commission, and on its behalf, acquire, hold, and dispose of its contract or other revenues;
7. Exercise any power usually possessed by private corporations, including the right to expend, solely from funds provided under this chapter, such funds as may be considered by the commission to be advisable or necessary in the performance of its duties and functions;
8. Employ engineers, attorneys, other professional experts and consultants, and general and clerical employees deemed necessary and prescribe their powers and duties and fix their compensation;
9. Do anything authorized by this chapter under, through, or by its own officers, agents, and employees, or by contracts with any persons;
10. Execute instruments and do anything necessary, convenient, or desirable for the purposes of the commission or to carry out the powers expressly given in this chapter;
11. Institute and prosecute any eminent domain proceedings to acquire any property authorized to be acquired under this title in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 2 (§ 25.1-200 et seq.) of Title 25.1 and subject to the approval of the State Corporation Commission pursuant to § 25.1-102;
12. Invest in if required as a condition to obtaining insurance, participate in, or purchase insurance provided by foreign insurance companies that insure railroad operations, provided this power is available only to those commissions that provide rail services;
13. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 8.01-195.3, contract to indemnify, and to obtain liability insurance to cover such indemnity, any person who is liable, or who may be subjected to liability, regardless of the character of the liability, as a result of the exercise by a commission of any of the powers conferred by this chapter. No obligation of a commission to indemnify any such person shall exceed the combined maximum limits of all liability policies, as defined in subsection C of § 33.2-1927, maintained by the commission; and
14. Notwithstanding any other contrary provision of law, regulate traffic signals and other traffic control devices within the district, through the use of computers and other electronic communication and control devices, so as to effect the orderly flow of traffic and to improve transportation services within the district; however, an agreement concerning the operation of traffic control devices acceptable to all parties shall be entered into between the commission and the Department and all the counties and cities within the transportation district prior to the commencement of such regulation.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1358; 1966, c. 419; 1970, c. 449; 1974, c. 529, § 15.1-1357.3; 1988, c. 834; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4518; 2003, c. 940; 2014, c. 805.
Article 5. Financing.
§ 33.2-1920. Authority to issue bonds and other obligations.A. 1. A transportation district may issue bonds or other interest-bearing obligations, as provided in this chapter, for any of its purposes and pay the principal and interest thereon from any of its funds, including any moneys paid to or otherwise received by the district pursuant to any law enacted or any contract or agreement or any grant, loan, or contribution authorized by this chapter. For the purposes of this chapter, bonds include bonds, notes, and other interest-bearing obligations, including notes issued in anticipation of the sale and issuance of bonds.
2. Neither the members of a transportation district nor any person executing the bonds shall be liable personally on the bonds by reason of the issuance thereof. The bonds and other obligations of a district (and such bonds and obligations shall so state on their face) shall not be a debt of the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof, and only the district shall be liable thereon. The bonds shall not constitute an indebtedness within the meaning of any debt limitation or restriction except as provided under this section.
B. 1. Bonds of a transportation district shall be authorized by resolution, may be issued in one or more series, shall be dated, shall mature at such times not exceeding 40 years from their dates, shall bear interest at rates determined by the commission, and may be made redeemable before maturity, at the option of the commission at such price or prices and under such terms as the commission fixes prior to issuing the bonds. The commission shall determine the form of the bonds, including any interest coupons to be attached and the manner of execution of the bonds, and shall fix the denominations of the bonds and the places of payment of principal and interest, which may be at any bank or trust company within or outside the Commonwealth. If any officer whose signature or facsimile signature appears on any bonds or coupons ceases to be such officer before delivery of such bond, such signature or facsimile shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes the same as if he had remained in office until such delivery. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article or any recitals in any bonds issued under the provisions of this article, all such bonds shall be negotiable instruments under the laws of the Commonwealth. The bonds may be issued in coupon or registered form or both, as the commission may determine, and provision may be made for the registration of any coupon bonds as to principal alone and also as to both principal and interest, and for the reconversion into coupon bonds of any bonds registered as to both principal and interest. The transportation district may sell such bonds in such manner, either at public or private sale, and for such price as it may determine to be for the best interests of the district. A transportation district is authorized to enter into indentures or agreements with respect to all such matters, and such indentures or agreements may contain such other provisions as the commission may deem reasonable and proper for the security of the bondholders. The resolution may provide that the bonds shall be payable from and secured by all or any part of the revenues, moneys, or funds of the district as specified therein. Such pledge shall be valid and binding from the time the pledge is made, and such revenues, moneys, and funds so pledged and thereafter received by the district shall immediately be subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act. The lien of any such pledge shall be valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract, or otherwise against the district, irrespective of whether such parties have notice thereof. Neither the resolution nor any trust indenture by which a pledge is created need be filed or recorded except in the records of the district. All expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of such indentures or agreements may be treated as a purpose of the transportation district. A transportation district may issue refunding bonds for the purpose of redeeming or retiring any bonds before or at maturity, including the payment of any premium, accrued interest, and costs or expenses thereof.
2. Prior to the preparation of definitive bonds a transportation district may, under like restrictions, issue interim receipts or temporary bonds, with or without coupons, exchangeable for definitive bonds when such bonds have been executed and are available for delivery. A transportation district may also provide for the replacement of any bonds that have been mutilated, destroyed, or lost.
3. Bonds may be issued pursuant to this article without obtaining the consent of any commission, board, bureau, or agency of the Commonwealth or of any governmental subdivision, and without any referendum, other proceedings, or the happening of other conditions except for those proceedings or conditions that are specifically required by this article.
C. Any holder of bonds, notes, certificates, or other evidence of borrowing issued under this article or of any of the coupons appertaining thereto, and the trustee under any trust indenture or agreement, except to the extent of the rights given in this article may be restricted by such trust indenture or agreement, may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, injunction, mandamus, or other proceedings, protect and enforce any and all rights under the laws of the Commonwealth or granted by this article or under such trust indenture or agreement or the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds, notes, or certificates, and may enforce and compel the performance of all duties required by this article or by such trust indenture or agreement or resolution to be performed by the transportation district or by any officer or agent thereof.
D. The exercise of the powers granted by this article shall be in all respects for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Commonwealth, for the promotion of their safety, health, welfare, convenience, and prosperity, and any facility or service that a transportation district is authorized to provide will constitute the performance of an essential governmental function. The bonds of a district are declared to be issued for an essential public and governmental purpose and their transfer and the income therefrom, including any profit made on the sale thereof, shall at all times be free and exempt from taxation by the Commonwealth and by any governmental subdivision thereof.
E. Bonds issued by a transportation district under this article are securities in which all public officers and public bodies of the Commonwealth and its governmental subdivisions and all insurance companies, trust companies, banks, banking associations, investment companies, executors, administrators, trustees, and other fiduciaries may properly and legally invest funds, including capital in their control or belonging to them. Such bonds are securities that may properly and legally be deposited with and received by any state or local officer or any agency or governmental subdivision of the Commonwealth for any purpose for which the deposit of bonds or obligations is now or may hereafter be authorized by law.
1968, c. 551, § 15.1-1358.2; 1972, c. 791; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4519; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-1921. Judicial determination of validity of bonds.The provisions of Article 6 (§ 15.2-2650 et seq.) of Chapter 26 of Title 15.2 apply to all suits, actions, and proceedings of whatever nature involving the validity of bonds issued by a transportation district under the provisions of this article.
1968, c. 551, § 15.1-1358.3; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4520; 2014, c. 805.
Article 6. Powers and Duties of Localities; Liability of Commonwealth and Localities.
§ 33.2-1922. Contracts and payment thereof.A. Any county or city embraced by a transportation district is authorized to enter into contracts or agreements with the commission for such transportation district, or with an agency, pursuant to which such transportation district, subject to the limitations contained in this section, or such agency undertakes to provide the transportation facilities specified in a duly adopted transportation plan or to render transportation service. Any obligations arising from such contracts are deemed to be for a public purpose and may be paid for, in the discretion of each county or city, in whole or in part, by appropriations from general revenues or from the proceeds of a bond issue or issues; however, any such contract must specify the annual maximum obligation of any county or city for payments to meet the expenses and obligations of the transportation district or such agency or provide a formula to determine the payment of any such county or city for such expenses and obligations. Each county or city desiring to contract with a transportation district or an agency is authorized to do so, provided it complies with the appropriate provisions of law, and thereafter is authorized to do everything necessary or proper to carry out and perform every such contract and to provide for the payment or discharge of any obligation thereunder by the same means and in the same manner as any other of its obligations.
B. Except as otherwise provided by law:
1. No bonded debt shall be contracted by any county to finance the payment of any obligations arising from its contracts hereunder unless the voters of such county shall approve by a majority vote of the voters voting in an election the contracting of any such debt, the borrowing of money, and issuance of bonds. Such debt shall be contracted and bonds issued and such election shall be held in the manner provided in and subject to the provisions of the Public Finance Act (§ 15.2-2600 et seq.) relating to counties; and
2. The contracting of debt, borrowing of money, and issuance of bonds by any city to finance the payment of any obligations arising from its contracts hereunder shall be effected in the manner provided in and subject to the provisions of the Public Finance Act (§ 15.2-2600 et seq.) relating to cities.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1359; 1968, c. 363; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4521; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-1923. Venue.Every such contract shall be enforceable by the transportation district with which the contract is made, as provided under the laws of the Commonwealth, and, if any such contract is entered into with an agency or is relied upon in a contract between a commission and any such agency, the agency also shall have the right to enforce the contract. The venue for actions on any contract between a transportation district and a component government shall be as specified in subdivision 10 of § 8.01-261. Venue in all other matters arising hereunder shall be as provided by law.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1360; 1977, c. 624; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4522; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-1924. Acquisition of median strips for transit facilities in interstate highways.When the district commission, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, and the governing bodies of the component governments determine that the time schedule for construction of any interstate highway, as defined in § 33.2-100, within the district makes it necessary to acquire median strips for transit facilities in such highway prior to the adoption of a transportation plan, each county and city within the district is authorized to pay to the Commonwealth Transportation Board such sums as may be agreed upon among the district commission and such counties and cities to provide the Commonwealth Transportation Board with the necessary matching funds to acquire the median strips. Any such acquisition shall be made by and in the name of the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1361; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4523; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-1925. Appropriations.The governing bodies of counties and cities participating in a transportation district are authorized to appropriate funds for the administrative and other expenses and obligations (i) of the commission of the transportation district, as provided in subsection D of § 33.2-1915, (ii) of an agency, and (iii) for such other purposes as may be specified in a law creating a transportation district.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1362; 1970, c. 449; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4524; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-1926. Powers granted are in addition to all other powers.The powers conferred by this chapter on counties and cities are in addition and supplemental to the powers conferred by any other law, and may be exercised by resolution or ordinance of the governing bodies thereof, as required by law, without regard to the terms, conditions, requirements, restrictions, or other provisions contained in any other law, general or special, or in any charter.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1363; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4525; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-1927. Liabilities of Commonwealth, counties, and cities.A. Except for claims cognizable under the Virginia Tort Claims Act, Article 18.1 (§ 8.01-195.1 et seq.) of Chapter 3 of Title 8.01, no pecuniary liability of any kind shall be imposed on the Commonwealth or upon any county or city constituting any part of any transportation district because of any act, agreement, contract, tort, malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance by or on the part of the commission of such transportation district, or any commission member, or its agents, servants, and employees, except as otherwise provided in this chapter with reference to contracts and agreements between the commission or interstate agency and any county or city.
B. Except for claims cognizable under the Virginia Tort Claims Act, Article 18.1 (§ 8.01-195.1 et seq.) of Chapter 3 of Title 8.01, the obligations and any indebtedness of a commission shall not be in any way a debt or liability of the Commonwealth, or of any county or city in whole or in part embraced by the transportation district, and shall not create or constitute any indebtedness, liability, or obligation of the Commonwealth or of any such county or city, legal, moral, or otherwise, and nothing in this chapter contained shall be construed to authorize a commission or district to incur any indebtedness on behalf of or in any way to obligate the Commonwealth or any county or city in whole or in part embraced by the transportation district; however, any contracts or agreements between the commission and any county or city provided for in subdivisions A 4 and B 4 of § 33.2-1915 shall inure to the benefit of any creditor of the transportation district or, when applicable, to an agency as therein provided.
C. For purposes of this section, "liability policy," as it is used in the Virginia Tort Claims Act, specifically includes any program of self-insurance maintained by a district and administered by the Department of the Treasury's Division of Risk Management.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1364; 1986, c. 584; 1987, c. 383; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4526; 2014, c. 805.
Article 7. Planning Process and Procedures.
§ 33.2-1928. Planning process.A. In performing the duties imposed under subsections A and B of § 33.2-1915, the commission shall cooperate with the governing bodies of the counties and cities embraced by the transportation district and agencies thereof, with the Commonwealth Transportation Board, and with an agency of which members of the district commission are also members, to the end that the plans, decisions, and policies for transportation shall be consistent with and shall foster the development and implementation of the general plans and policies of the counties and cities for their orderly growth and development.
B. Each commission member shall serve as the liaison between the commission and the body by which he was appointed, and those commission members who are also members of an agency shall provide liaison between the district commission and such agency, to the end that the district commission, its component governments, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, and any such agency shall be continuously, comprehensively, and mutually advised of plans, policies, and actions requiring consideration in the planning for transportation and in the development of planned transportation facilities.
C. To assure that planning, policy, and decision-making are consistent with the development plans for the orderly growth of the counties and cities and coordinated with the plans and programs of the Commonwealth Transportation Board and are based on comprehensive data with respect to current and prospective local conditions, including land use, economic and population factors, the objectives for future urban development, and future travel demands generated by such considerations, the commission may:
1. Create, subject to their appointment, technical committees from the personnel of the agencies of the counties and cities and from the Commonwealth Transportation Board concerned with planning, collection, and analysis of data relevant to decision-making in the transportation planning process. Appointments to such technical committees, however, are to be made by the governing bodies of the counties and cities and by the Commonwealth Transportation Board; or
2. If the transportation district is located within an area that has an organized planning process created in conformance with the provisions of 23 U.S.C. § 134, utilize the technical committees created for such planning process.
D. The commission, on behalf of the counties and cities within the transportation district, but only upon their direction, is authorized to enter into the written agreements specified in 23 U.S.C. § 134 to assure conformance with the requirements of that law for continuous, comprehensive transportation planning.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1365; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4527; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-1929. Procedures.To ensure that the planning process specified in § 33.2-1928 is effectively and efficiently utilized, the commission shall conform to the following procedures and may prescribe such additional procedures as it deems advisable:
1. Commission meetings shall be held at least monthly and more often in the discretion of the commission, as the proper performance of its duties requires.
2. At such meetings the commission shall receive and consider reports from:
a. Its members who are also members of an agency, as to the status and progress of the work of such agency, and if the commission deems that such reports are of concern to them, shall fully inform its component governments, committees, and the Commonwealth Transportation Board with respect thereto, as a means of developing the informed views requisite for sound policy-making; and
b. Its members, technical and other committees, members of the governing bodies of the component governments, and consultants, presenting and analyzing studies and data on matters affecting the making of policies and decisions on a transportation plan and the implementation thereof.
3. The objective of the procedures specified in this section is to develop agreement, based on the best available information, among the district commission, the governing bodies of the component governments, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, and an interstate agency with respect to the various factors that affect the making of policies and decisions relating to a transportation plan and the implementation thereof. If any material disagreements occur in the planning process with respect to objectives and goals, the evaluation of basic data, or the selection of criteria and standards to be applied in the planning process, the commission shall exert its best efforts to bring about agreement and understanding on such matters. The commission may hold hearings in an effort to resolve any such basic controversies.
4. Before a transportation plan is adopted, altered, revised, or amended by the commission or by an agency on which it is represented, the commission shall transmit such proposed plan, alteration, revision, or amendment to the governing bodies of the component governments, to the Commonwealth Transportation Board, and to its technical committees and shall release to the public information with respect thereto. A copy of the proposed transportation plan, amendment, or revision shall be kept at the commission office and shall be available for public inspection. Upon 30 days' notice, published once a week for two successive weeks in one or more newspapers of general circulation within the transportation district, a public hearing shall be held on the proposed plan, alteration, revision, or amendment. The 30 days' notice period shall begin to run on the first day the notice appears in any such newspaper. The commission shall consider the evidence submitted and statements and comments made at such hearings and, if objections in writing to the whole or any part of the plan are made by the governing body of any component government, or by the Commonwealth Transportation Board, or if the commission considers any written objection made by any other person, group, or organization to be sufficiently significant, the commission shall reconsider the plan, alteration, revision, or amendment. If, upon reconsideration, the commission agrees with the objection, then the commission shall make appropriate changes to the proposed plan, alteration, revision, or amendment and may adopt them without further hearing. If, upon reconsideration, the commission disagrees with the objection, the commission may adopt the plan, alteration, revision, or amendment. No facilities shall be located in and no service rendered, however, within any county or city that does not execute an appropriate agreement with the commission or with an interstate agency as provided in § 33.2-1922; but in such case, the commission shall determine whether the absence of such an agreement so materially and adversely affects the feasibility of the transportation plan as to require its modification or abandonment.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1366; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4528; 2014, c. 805; 2015, c. 256.
Article 8. Enlargement of Transportation Districts.
§ 33.2-1930. Procedure for enlargement.A transportation district may be enlarged to include any additional county or part thereof, or city or part thereof, contiguous thereto, upon such terms and conditions, consistent with the provisions of this chapter, as may be agreed upon by the commission and such additional county or city and in conformance with the following procedures. The governing body of the county or city shall adopt an ordinance specifying the area to be enlarged, containing the finding specified in § 33.2-1903 and a statement that a contract or agreement between the county or city and the commission specifying the terms and conditions of admittance to the transportation district has been executed. The ordinance, to which shall be attached a certified copy of the contract, shall be filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Upon certification by the Secretary of the Commonwealth to the Tax Commissioner, the commissioner, and the governing bodies of each of the component counties and cities that the ordinance required by this section has been filed and that its terms conform to the requirements of this section, the additional county or part thereof, or city or part thereof, upon the entry of such certification in the minutes of the proceedings of the governing body of such county or city, shall become a component government of the transportation district and part of the transportation district.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1367; 1974, c. 566; 1975, c. 405; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4529; 2006, c. 354; 2014, c. 805.
Article 9. Withdrawal From Transportation District.
§ 33.2-1931. Resolution or ordinance.A county or city may withdraw from the transportation district by resolution or ordinance, as may be appropriate, adopted by a majority vote of its governing body. The withdrawal of any county or city shall not be effective until the resolution or ordinance of withdrawal is filed with the transportation district commission and with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1368; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4530; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-1932. Financial obligations.The withdrawal from the transportation district of any county or city shall not relieve the county or city from any obligation or commitment made or incurred while a district member.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1369; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4531; 2014, c. 805.
Article 10. Exemption From Taxation; Tort Liability.
§ 33.2-1933. Public purpose; exemption from taxation.It is hereby found, determined, and declared that the creation of any transportation district pursuant to this chapter and the carrying out of the corporate purposes of any such transportation district is in all respects for the benefit of the people of the Commonwealth and is a public purpose and that the transportation district and the commission will be performing an essential governmental function in the exercise of the powers conferred by this chapter. Accordingly, the transportation district shall not be required to pay taxes or assessments upon any of the property acquired by it or under its jurisdiction, control, possession, or supervision or upon its activities in the operation and maintenance of any transportation facilities or upon any revenues therefrom, and the property and the income derived therefrom shall be exempt from all state, municipal, and local taxation. This exemption shall include all motor vehicle license fees, motor vehicle sales and use taxes, retail sales and use taxes, and motor fuel taxes. The governing body of any political subdivision within a transportation district may refund in whole or in part any payments for taxes or license fees or abate in whole or in part any assessments for taxes or license fees on any property exempt from taxation or license fees under this section that were assessed and levied prior to the acquisition of any transportation facilities by a transportation district.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1370; 1975, c. 486; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4532; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-1934. Liability for torts.Every district shall be liable for its torts and those of its officers, employees, and agents committed in the conduct of any proprietary function but shall not be liable for any torts occurring in the performance of a governmental function. However, this section shall not apply to a transportation district subject to the provisions of the Virginia Tort Claims Act (§ 8.01-195.1 et seq.).
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1371; 1986, c. 584; 1991, c. 23; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4533; 2014, c. 805.
Article 11. Construction of Chapter.
§ 33.2-1935. Liberal construction.This chapter, being necessary for the welfare of the Commonwealth and its inhabitants, shall be liberally construed to effect the purposes thereof.
1964, c. 631, § 15.1-1372; 1997, c. 587, § 15.1-4534; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-1936. Transportation districts with unique needs.The General Assembly finds that transportation districts that (i) have a population of 1.7 million or more, as shown by the most recent United States Census, (ii) have not less than 1.5 million motor vehicles registered therein, and (iii) have a total transit ridership of not less than 75 million riders per year across all transit systems within the transportation district and in which a rapid heavy rail commuter mass transportation system operating on an exclusive right-of-way and a bus commuter mass transportation system are owned, operated, or controlled by an agency or commission as defined in § 33.2-1901 have unique transportation needs.
Chapter 20. Local Transportation Districts.
§ 33.2-2000. Definitions.As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Commission" means the governing body of a local transportation district created pursuant to this chapter.
"Cost" means all or any part of the cost of the following:
1. Acquisition, construction, reconstruction, alteration, landscaping, utilities, parking, conservation, remodeling, equipping, or enlarging of transportation improvements or any portion thereof;
2. Acquisition of land, rights-of-way, property rights, easements, and interests for construction, alteration, or expansion of transportation improvements;
3. Demolishing or relocating any structure on land so acquired, including the cost of acquiring any lands to which such structure may be relocated;
4. All labor, materials, machinery, and equipment necessary or incidental to the construction or expansion of a transportation improvement;
5. Financing charges, insurance, interest, and reserves for interest on all bonds prior to and during construction and, if deemed advisable by the commission, for a reasonable period after completion of such construction;
6. Reserves for principal and interest;
7. Reserves for extensions, enlargements, additions, replacements, renovations, and improvements;
8. Provisions for working capital;
9. Engineering and architectural expenses and services, including surveys, borings, plans, and specifications;
10. Subsequent addition to or expansion of any project and the cost of determining the feasibility or practicability of such construction;
11. Financing construction of, addition to, or expansion of transportation improvements and placing them in operation; and
12. Expenses incurred in connection with the creation of the district, not to exceed $150,000.
"District" means any district created pursuant to this chapter.
"District advisory board" or "advisory board" means the board appointed pursuant to this chapter.
"Federal agency" means the United States of America or any department, bureau, agency, or instrumentality thereof.
"Locality" means any county or city.
"Owner" or "landowner" means the person that has the usufruct, control, or occupation of the taxable real property as determined, pursuant to § 58.1-3281, by the commissioner of the revenue of the locality in which the subject real property is located.
"Revenue" means any or all fees, tolls, rents, receipts, assessments, taxes, money, and income derived by the district, including any cash contribution or payments made to the district by the Commonwealth, any political subdivision thereof, or any other source.
"Transportation improvements" means any real or personal property acquired, constructed, improved, or used in constructing or improving any (i) public mass transit system or (ii) highway, or portion or interchange thereof, including parking facilities located within a district created pursuant to this chapter. Such improvements include public mass transit systems, public highways, and all buildings, structures, approaches, and facilities thereof and appurtenances thereto, rights-of-way, bridges, tunnels, stations, terminals, and all related equipment and fixtures.
1993, c. 395, § 33.1-409; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2001. Creation of district.A. A district may be created in a single locality or in two or more contiguous localities. If created in a single locality, a district shall be created by a resolution of the local governing body. If created in two or more contiguous localities, a district shall be created by the resolutions of each of the local governing bodies. Any such resolution shall be considered only upon the petition, to each local governing body of the locality in which the proposed district is to be located, of the owners of at least 51 percent of either the land area or the assessed value of land in each locality that (i) is within the boundaries of the proposed district and (ii) has been zoned for commercial or industrial use or is used for such purposes. Any proposed district within a county or counties may include any land within a town or towns within the boundaries of such county or counties.
B. The petition to the local governing body or bodies shall:
1. Set forth the name and describe the boundaries of the proposed district;
2. Describe the transportation improvements proposed within the district;
3. Propose a plan for providing such transportation improvements within the district and describe specific terms and conditions with respect to all commercial and industrial zoning classifications and uses, densities, and criteria related thereto which the petitioners request for the proposed district;
4. Describe the benefits that can be expected from the provision of such transportation improvements within the district; and
5. Request the local governing body or bodies to establish the proposed district for the purposes set forth in the petition.
C. Upon the filing of such a petition, each local governing body shall fix a day for a hearing on the question of whether the proposed district shall be created. The hearing shall consider whether the residents and owners of real property within the proposed district would benefit from the establishment of the proposed district. All interested persons who either reside in or own taxable real property within the proposed district shall have the right to appear and show cause why any property or properties should not be included in the proposed district. If real property within a town is included in the proposed district, the governing body shall deliver a copy of the petition and notice of the public hearing to the town council at least 30 days prior to the public hearing, and the town council may by resolution determine if it wishes such property located within the town to be included within the proposed district and shall deliver a copy of any such resolution to the local governing body at the public hearing required by this section. Such resolution shall be binding upon the local governing body with respect to the inclusion or exclusion of such properties within the proposed district. The petition shall comply with the provisions of this section with respect to minimum acreage or assessed valuation. Notice of the hearing shall be given by publication once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the locality, with the first publication appearing no more than 21 days before the hearing.
D. If each local governing body finds the creation of the proposed district would be in furtherance of the locality's comprehensive plan for the development of the area, in the best interests of the residents and owners of real property within the proposed district, and in furtherance of the public health, safety, and welfare, then each local governing body may pass a resolution, which shall be reasonably consistent with the petition, creating the district and providing for the appointment of an advisory board in accordance with this chapter. The resolution shall provide a description with specific terms and conditions of all commercial and industrial zoning classifications that shall be in force in the district upon its creation, together with any related criteria and a term of years, not to exceed 20 years, as to which each zoning classification and each related criterion set forth therein shall remain in force within the district without elimination, reduction, or restriction, except (i) upon the written request or approval of the owner of any property affected by a change or (ii) as specifically required to comply with state or federal law.
Each resolution creating a district shall also provide (a) that the district shall expire 35 years from the date upon which the resolution is passed or (b) that the district shall expire when the district is abolished in accordance with § 33.2-2014. After the public hearing, each local governing body shall deliver a certified copy of its proposed resolution creating the district to the petitioning landowners or their attorneys-in-fact. Any petitioning landowner may then withdraw his signature on the petition, in writing, at any time prior to the vote of the local governing body. In the case where any signatures on the petition are withdrawn, the local governing body may pass the proposed resolution only upon certification that the petition continues to meet the provisions of this section. After all local governing bodies have adopted resolutions creating the district, the district shall be established and the name of the district shall be "The __________ Transportation Improvement District."
1993, c. 395, § 33.1-410; 2014, c. 805; 2023, cc. 506, 507.
§ 33.2-2002. Commission to exercise powers of the district.The powers of a district created pursuant to this chapter shall be exercised by a commission. The commission shall consist of four members of the governing body of each locality in which the district is located, appointed by their respective local governing bodies. In addition to the members from each locality, the Chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board or his designee shall be a member of the commission of any district created pursuant to this chapter.
The commission shall elect a chairman from its membership. The chairman may be the chairman or presiding officer of a local governing body. In addition, the commission, with the advice of the district advisory board, shall elect a secretary and a treasurer, who may be members or employees of any local governing body or other governmental body. The offices of secretary and treasurer may be combined. A majority of the commission members shall constitute a quorum, and a majority vote shall be necessary for any action taken by the commission. No vacancy in the membership of the commission shall impair the right of a majority of the members to form a quorum or to exercise all of its rights, powers, and duties.
1993, c. 395, § 33.1-411; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2003. Powers and duties of commission.The commission shall:
1. Construct, reconstruct, alter, improve, expand, make loans or otherwise provide financial assistance to, and operate transportation improvements in the district for the use and benefit of the public.
2. Acquire by gift, purchase, lease, in-kind contribution to construction costs, or otherwise any transportation improvements in the district and sell, lease as lessor, transfer, or dispose of any part of any transportation improvements in such manner and upon such terms as the commission may determine to be in the best interests of the district. However, prior to disposing of any such property or interest therein, the commission shall conduct a public hearing with respect to such disposition. At the hearing, the residents and owners of property within the district shall have an opportunity to be heard. At least 10 days' notice of the time and place of such hearing shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the district, as prescribed by the commission. Such public hearing may be adjourned from time to time.
3. Negotiate and contract with any person with regard to any matter necessary and proper to provide any transportation improvements, including the financing, acquisition, construction, reconstruction, alteration, improvement, expansion, or maintenance of any transportation improvements in the district.
4. Enter into a continuing service contract for a purpose authorized by this chapter and make payments of the proceeds received from the special taxes levied pursuant to this chapter, together with any other revenues, for installments due under that service contract. The district may apply such payments annually during the term of that service contract in an amount sufficient to make the installment payments due under that contract, subject to the limitation imposed by this chapter. However, payments for any such service contract shall be conditioned upon the receipt of services pursuant to the contract. Such a contract shall not obligate a locality to make payments for services of the district.
5. Accept the allocations, contributions, or funds of any available source or reimburse from any available source, including any person, for the whole or any part of the costs, expenses, and charges incident to the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, maintenance, alteration, improvement, or expansion of any transportation improvements in the district.
6. Contract for the extension and use of any public mass transit system or highway into territory outside the district on such terms and conditions as the commission determines.
7. Employ and fix the compensation of personnel who may be deemed necessary for the construction, operation, or maintenance of any transportation improvements in the district.
8. Have prepared an annual audit of the district's financial obligations and revenues, and upon review of such audit, request a tax rate adequate to provide tax revenues that, together with all other revenues, are required by the district to fulfill its annual obligations.
1993, c. 395, § 33.1-414; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2004. Appointment of district advisory boards.Within 30 days after the establishment of a district under this chapter, the local governing body from each locality within which any portion of the district is located shall appoint six members to a district advisory board. Three of the six members from each locality shall be chosen by the local governing body from nominations submitted to the local governing body by the petitioners. All members shall own or represent commercially or industrially zoned property within the district. Each member shall be appointed for a term of four years, except the initial appointment of advisory board members shall provide that the terms of three of the members shall be for two years. If a vacancy occurs with respect to an advisory board member initially appointed by a local governing body, or any successor of such a member, the local governing body shall appoint a new member who is a representative or owner of commercially or industrially zoned property within the local district. If a vacancy occurs with respect to an advisory board member initially nominated by the petitioners, or any successor thereof, the remaining advisory board members initially nominated by the petitioners, or their successors, shall nominate a new member for selection by the local governing body.
District advisory board members shall serve without pay, but the local governing body shall provide the advisory board with facilities for the holding of meetings, and the commission shall appropriate funds needed to defray the reasonable expenses and fees of the advisory board that shall not exceed $20,000 annually, including expenses and fees arising out of the preparation of the annual report. Such appropriations shall be based on an annual budget submitted by the board, and approved by the commission, sufficient to carry out its responsibilities under this chapter. The advisory board shall elect a chairman and a secretary and such other officers as it deems necessary. The advisory board shall fix the time for holding regular meetings, but it shall meet at least once every year. Special meetings of the advisory board shall be called by the chairman or by two members of the advisory board upon written request to the secretary of the advisory board. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.
The advisory board shall present an annual report to the commission on the transportation needs of the district and on the activities of the advisory board, and the advisory board shall present special reports on transportation matters as requested by the commission or the local governing body concerning taxes to be levied pursuant to this chapter.
1993, c. 395, § 33.1-413; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2005. Annual special improvements tax; use of revenues.Upon the written request of the commission made concurrently to the local governing body or bodies pursuant to this chapter, each local governing body may levy and collect an annual special improvements tax on taxable real estate zoned for commercial or industrial use or used for such purposes and taxable leasehold interests in that portion of the improvement district within its jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 4 (§ 58.1-3229 et seq.) of Chapter 32 of Title 58.1, the tax shall be levied on the assessed fair market value of the taxable real property. The rate of the special improvements tax shall not be more than 20 cents ($0.20) per $100 of the assessed fair market value of any taxable real estate or the assessable value of taxable leasehold property as specified by § 58.1-3203; however, if all the owners in any district so request in writing, this limitation on rate shall not apply. Such special improvements taxes shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner as the locality's taxes are collected, and the proceeds shall be kept in a separate account. The effective date of the initial assessment shall be January 1 of the year following adoption of the resolution creating the district. All revenues received by each locality pursuant to such taxes shall be paid to or at the direction of the district commission for its use pursuant to this chapter.
1993, c. 395, § 33.1-415; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2006. Agreements with Commonwealth Transportation Board; payment of special improvements tax to Transportation Trust Fund.A. The district may contract with the Commonwealth Transportation Board for the Commonwealth Transportation Board to perform any of the purposes of the district.
The district may agree by contract to pay all or a portion of the special improvements tax to the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
Prior to executing any such contract, the district shall seek the agreement of each local governing body creating the district that the locality's officer charged with the responsibility for preparing the locality's annual budget shall submit in the budget for each fiscal year in which any Commonwealth of Virginia Transportation Contract Revenue Bonds issued for such district are outstanding all amounts to be paid to the Commonwealth Transportation Board under such contract during such fiscal year.
If the amount required to be paid to the Commonwealth Transportation Board under the contract is not so paid for a period of 60 days after such amount is due, the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall, until such amount has been paid, withhold sufficient funds from funds appropriated and allocated, pursuant to Article 5 (§ 33.2-351 et seq.) of Chapter 3, to the highway construction district in which the transportation improvements covered by such contract are located or to such locality in which such transportation improvements are located and to use such funds to satisfy the contractual requirements.
B. While nothing in this chapter shall limit the authority of any locality to change the classification of property zoned for commercial or industrial use or used for such purpose upon the written request or approval of the owner of any property affected by such change after the effective date of any such contract, should a change in zoning classification so requested result in a shortfall in the total annual revenues from the imposition of the special improvements tax and the payments required to be made to the Commonwealth Transportation Board pursuant to the contract, the district shall request the local governing body to increase the rate of such tax by such amount up to the maximum authorized rate as may be necessary to prevent such shortfall. If, however, a deficit remains after any rezoning and adjustment of the tax rate or the rate is at the maximum authorized rate and cannot be increased, then the amount of funds otherwise appropriated and allocated, pursuant to the highway allocation formula as provided by law, to the highway construction district in which the project covered by such contract is located or to such county or counties in which such project is located shall be reduced by the amount of such deficit and used to satisfy the deficit.
1993, c. 395, § 33.1-416; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2007. Jurisdiction of localities and officers, etc., not affected.Neither the creation of a district nor any other provision in this chapter shall affect the power, jurisdiction, or duties of the respective local governing bodies; sheriffs; treasurers; commissioners of the revenue; circuit, district, or other courts; clerks of any court; magistrates; or any other local or state officer in regard to the area embraced in any district or restrict or prevent any locality or town, or its governing body, from imposing and collecting taxes or assessments for public improvements as permitted by law. Any locality that creates a district pursuant to this chapter may obligate itself with respect to the zoning ordinances, zoning ordinance text, and regulations relating thereto for all commercial and industrial classifications within the district as provided in this chapter for a term not to exceed 20 years from the date on which such district is created.
1993, c. 395, § 33.1-417; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2008. Allocation of funds to districts.The governing body of any locality in which a district has been created pursuant to this chapter may advance funds or provide matching funds from money not otherwise specifically allocated or obligated. Such funds may be received or generated from whatever source, including general revenues, special fees and assessments, state allocations, and contributions from private sources to a local district to assist the local district to undertake the transportation improvements for which it was created. To assist the district with an approved transportation improvement, the Commonwealth Transportation Board may allocate to a district created pursuant to this chapter only funds allocated, pursuant to Article 5 (§ 33.2-351 et seq.) of Chapter 3, and subsection A of § 58.1-638, to the construction districts and localities in which such transportation district is located.
1993, c. 395, § 33.1-418; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2009. Reimbursement for advances to district.To the extent that a locality or town has made advances to the district, the commission shall direct the district treasurer to reimburse the locality or town from any district funds not otherwise specifically allocated or obligated.
1993, c. 395, § 33.1-419; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2010. Cooperation between districts and other political subdivisions.Any district created pursuant to this chapter may enter into agreements with localities, towns, or other political subdivisions of the Commonwealth for joint or cooperative action in accordance with the authority contained in § 15.2-1300.
1993, c. 395, § 33.1-420; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2011. Tort liability.No pecuniary liability of any kind shall be imposed upon the Commonwealth or any locality, town, or landowner therein because of any act, agreement, contract, tort, malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance by or on the part of a district or its agents, servants, or employees.
1993, c. 395, § 33.1-421; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2012. Approval by Commonwealth Transportation Board.The district shall not construct or improve a transportation improvement without the approval of both the Commonwealth Transportation Board and the locality in which the transportation improvement will be located. At the request of the commission, the Commissioner of Highways may exercise the powers of condemnation provided in Chapter 2 (§ 25.1-200 et seq.) of Title 25.1, Article 1 (§ 33.2-1000 et seq.) of Chapter 10, or § 33.2-705 for the purpose of acquiring property for transportation improvements within the district.
Upon completion of such construction or improvement, the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall take any affected public highway into the appropriate state highway system for purposes of maintenance and subsequent improvements as necessary. Upon acceptance by the Commonwealth of such highway into a state highway system, all rights, title, and interest in the right-of-way and improvements of any affected highway shall vest in the Commonwealth. Upon completion of construction or improvement of a mass transit system, all rights, title, and interest in the right-of-way and improvements of such mass transit system shall vest in an agency or instrumentality of the Commonwealth designated by the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
1993, c. 395, § 33.1-422; 2003, c. 940; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2013. Enlargement of local districts.The district shall be enlarged by resolution of the local governing body upon the petitions of the district commission and the owners of at least 51 percent of either the land area or assessed value of land of the district within each locality and of at least 51 percent of either the land area or assessed value of land located within the territory sought to be added to the district. However, any such territory shall be contiguous to the existing district. The petition shall present the information required by § 33.2-2001. Upon receipt of such a petition, the locality shall use the standards and procedures provided in § 33.2-2001, except that the residents and owners of both the existing district and the area proposed for the enlargement shall have the right to appear and show cause why any property should not be included in the proposed district.
If the local governing body finds the enlargement of a local district would be in accordance with the applicable comprehensive plan for the development of the area, in the best interests of the residents and owners of the property within the proposed district, and in furtherance of the public health, safety, and general welfare, and if the local governing body finds that enlargement of the district does not limit or adversely affect the rights and interests of any party that has contracted with the district, the local governing body may pass a resolution providing for the enlargement of the district.
1993, c. 395, § 33.1-423; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2014. Abolition of local transportation districts.A. Any district created pursuant to this chapter may be abolished by resolutions passed by each local governing body within whose locality any portion of the district lies, upon the joint petition of the commission and the owners of at least 51 percent of the land area located within the district in each locality. Joint petitions shall:
1. State whether the purposes for which the district was formed have been substantially achieved;
2. State whether all obligations incurred by the district have been fully paid;
3. Describe the benefits that can be expected from the abolition of the district; and
4. Request each affected local governing body to abolish the district.
B. Upon receipt of such a petition, each local governing body, in considering the abolition of the district, shall use the standards and procedures described in § 33.2-2001 mutatis mutandis, except that all interested persons who either reside on or who own real property within the boundaries of the district shall have the right to appear and show cause why the district should not be abolished.
C. If each local governing body finds that (i) the abolition of the district is in accordance with the applicable locality's comprehensive plan for the development of the area; (ii) the abolition of the district is in the best interests of the residents and owners of the property within the district; (iii) the abolition of the district is in furtherance of the public health, safety, and welfare; and (iv) all debts of the district have been paid and the purposes of the district either have been, or should not be, fulfilled or finds that each local governing body with the approval of the voters of each locality has agreed to assume the debts of the district, then each local governing body may pass a resolution abolishing the district and the district advisory board. Upon abolition of the district, the title to all funds and properties owned by the district at the time of such dissolution shall vest in the locality in which the district or portion thereof was located.
1993, c. 395, § 33.1-424; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2015. Chapter to constitute complete authority for acts authorized; liberal construction.This chapter shall constitute complete authority for the district to take the actions authorized in this chapter. This chapter, being necessary for the welfare of the Commonwealth and its inhabitants, shall be liberally construed to effect its purposes. Any court test concerning the validity of any bonds that may be issued for transportation improvements made pursuant to this chapter may be determined pursuant to Article 6 (§ 15.2-2650 et seq.) of Chapter 26 of Title 15.2.
1993, c. 395, § 33.1-425; 2014, c. 805.
Chapter 21. Transportation Districts Within Certain Counties.
§ 33.2-2100. Definitions.As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Commission" means the governing body of a local transportation improvement district created pursuant to this chapter.
"Cost" means all or any part of the following:
1. Acquisition, construction, reconstruction, alteration, landscaping, utilities, parking, conservation, remodeling, equipping, or enlarging of transportation improvements or any portion thereof;
2. Acquisition of land, rights-of-way, property rights, easements, and interests for construction, alteration, or expansion of transportation improvements;
3. Demolishing or relocating any structure on land so acquired, including the cost of acquiring any lands to which such structure may be relocated;
4. All labor, materials, machinery, and equipment necessary or incidental to the construction or expansion of a transportation improvement;
5. Financing charges, insurance, interest, and reserves for interest on all bonds prior to and during construction and, if deemed advisable by the commission, for a reasonable period after completion of such construction;
6. Reserves for principal and interest;
7. Reserves for extensions, enlargements, additions, replacements, renovations, and improvements;
8. Provisions for working capital;
9. Engineering and architectural expenses and services, including surveys, borings, plans, and specifications;
10. Subsequent addition to or expansion of any project and the cost of determining the feasibility or practicability of such construction;
11. Financing construction of, addition to, or expansion of transportation improvements and operating such improvements; and
12. Expenses incurred in connection with the creation of the district, not to exceed $150,000.
"County" means any county having a population of more than 500,000.
"District" means any transportation improvement district created pursuant to this chapter.
"District advisory board" or "advisory board" means the board appointed pursuant to § 33.2-2104.
"Federal agency" means the United States of America or any department, bureau, agency, or instrumentality thereof.
"Governing body" means the governing body of a county.
"Owner" or "landowner" means the person that is assessed with real property taxes pursuant to § 58.1-3281 by the commissioner of the revenue or other assessing officer of the locality in which the subject real property is located.
"Participating town" means a town that has real property within its boundaries included within a district created pursuant to this chapter.
"Revenue" means any or all fees, tolls, rents, receipts, assessments, taxes, money, and income derived by the district, including any cash contribution or payments made to the district by the Commonwealth, any political subdivision thereof, or any other source.
"Transportation improvements" means any real or personal property acquired, constructed, improved, or used for constructing, improving, or operating any (i) public mass transit system or (ii) highway, or portion or interchange thereof, including parking facilities located within a district created pursuant to this chapter. "Transportation improvements" includes public mass transit systems, public highways, and all buildings, structures, approaches, and facilities thereof and appurtenances thereto, rights-of-way, bridges, tunnels, stations, terminals, and all related equipment and fixtures.
2001, c. 611, § 33.1-430; 2004, c. 792; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2101. Creation of district.A. A district may be created in a county by a resolution of the governing body. Any such resolution shall be considered only upon the petition, to the governing body, of the owners of at least 51 percent of either the land area or the assessed value of real property that (i) is within the boundaries of the proposed district, (ii) has been zoned for commercial or industrial use or is used for such purposes, and (iii) would be subject to the annual special improvement tax authorized by § 33.2-2105 if the proposed district is created. Any proposed district within a county may include any real property within a town or towns within the boundaries of such county.
B. The petition to the governing body shall:
1. Set forth the name and describe the boundaries of the proposed district;
2. Describe the transportation improvements proposed within the district;
3. Propose a plan for providing such transportation improvements within the district and describe specific terms and conditions with respect to all commercial and industrial zoning classifications and uses, densities, and criteria related thereto that the petitioners request for the proposed district;
4. Describe the benefits that can be expected from the provision of such transportation improvements within the district; and
5. Request the governing body to establish the proposed district for the purposes set forth in the petition.
C. Upon the filing of such a petition, the governing body shall fix a day for a hearing on the question of whether the proposed district shall be created. The hearing shall consider whether the residents and owners of real property within the proposed district would benefit from the establishment of the proposed district. All interested persons who either reside in or own taxable real property within the proposed district shall have the right to appear and show cause why any property or properties should not be included in the proposed district. If real property within a town is included in the proposed district, a copy of the petition and notice of the public hearing shall be delivered to the town council at least 30 days prior to the public hearing, and the town council may by resolution determine if the town council wishes any property located within the town to be included within the proposed district and any such resolution shall be delivered to the governing body prior to the public hearing required by this section. Such resolution shall be binding upon the governing body with respect to the inclusion or exclusion of such properties within the proposed district. If that resolution permits any commercial or industrial property located within a town to be included in the proposed district, then if requested to do so by the petition the town council of any town that has adopted a zoning ordinance also shall pass a resolution, to be effective upon creation of the proposed district, that is consistent with the requirements of subsection E with respect to commercial and industrial zoning classifications that shall be in force in that portion of the town included in the district. The petition shall comply with the provisions of this section with respect to minimum acreage or assessed valuation. Notice of the hearing shall be given by publication once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the locality, with the first publication appearing no more than 21 days before the hearing. Such public hearing may be adjourned from time to time.
D. If the governing body finds the creation of the proposed district would be in furtherance of the county's comprehensive plan for the development of the area, in the best interests of the residents and owners of real property within the proposed district, and in furtherance of the public health, safety, and welfare, the governing body may pass a resolution that is reasonably consistent with the petition, that creates the district upon final adoption, and that provides for the appointment of an advisory board in accordance with this chapter upon final adoption. Any such resolution shall be conclusively presumed to be reasonably consistent with the petition if, following the public hearing, as provided in the following provisions of this section, the petition continues to comply with the provisions of this section with respect to the criteria relating to minimum acreage or assessed valuation.
E. The resolution shall provide a description with specific terms and conditions of all commercial and industrial zoning classifications that apply within the district, but not within any town within the district that has adopted a zoning ordinance, that shall be in force in the district upon its creation, together with any related criteria and a term of years, not to exceed 20 years, as to which each such zoning classification and each related criterion set forth therein shall remain in force within the district without elimination, reduction, or restriction, except (i) upon the written request or approval of the owner of any property affected by a change, (ii) as required to comply with the provisions of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act (§ 62.1-44.15:67 et seq.) or the regulations adopted pursuant thereto, (iii) as required to comply with the provisions of the federal Clean Water Act regarding municipal and industrial stormwater discharges (33 U.S.C. § 1342(p)) and regulations promulgated thereunder by the federal Environmental Protection Agency, or (iv) as specifically required to comply with any other state or federal law.
F. A resolution creating a district shall also provide (i) that the district shall expire 50 years from the date upon which the resolution is passed or (ii) that the district shall expire when the district is abolished in accordance with § 33.2-2115. After the public hearing, the governing body may adopt a proposed resolution creating the district. No later than two business days following the adoption of the proposed resolution, copies of the proposed resolution shall be available in the office of the clerk of the governing body for inspection and copying by the petitioning landowners and their representatives, by members of the public, and by representatives of the news media. No later than seven business days following the adoption of the proposed resolution, any petitioning landowner may notify the clerk of the governing body in writing that the petitioning landowner is withdrawing his signature from the petition. Within the same seven-day period, the owner of any property in the proposed district that will be subject to the annual special improvements tax authorized by § 33.2-2105, if the proposed district is created, or the attorney-in-fact of any such owner may notify the clerk of the governing body in writing that he is adding his signature to the petition. The governing body may then proceed to final adoption of the proposed resolution following that seven-day period. If any petitioner has withdrawn his signature from the petition during that seven-day period, then the governing body may readopt the proposed resolution only if the petition, including any landowners who have added their signatures after adoption of the proposed resolution, continues to meet the provisions of this section. After the governing body has readopted the resolution creating the district, the district shall be established and the name of the district shall be "The _____ _____ Transportation Improvement District."
2001, c. 611, § 33.1-431; 2004, c. 792; 2014, c. 805; 2023, cc. 506, 507.
§ 33.2-2102. Commission to exercise powers of the district.The powers of a district created pursuant to this chapter shall be exercised by a commission. The commission shall consist of four members of the governing body, appointed by the governing body, plus one member of the town council of any participating town, appointed by the town council of the participating town. In addition to the appointed members, the Chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board or his designee shall be a member of the commission of any district created pursuant to this chapter.
The commission shall elect a chairman from its membership. The chairman may be the chairman or presiding officer of the governing body. In addition, the commission, with the advice of the district advisory board, shall elect a secretary and a treasurer, who may be members or employees of the governing body, the town council of a participating town, or other governmental body. The offices of secretary and treasurer may be combined. A majority of the commission members shall constitute a quorum, and a majority vote shall be necessary for any action taken by the commission. No vacancy in the membership of the commission shall impair the right of a majority of the members to form a quorum or to exercise all of its rights, powers, and duties.
2001, c. 611, § 33.1-432; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2103. Powers and duties of commission.The commission may:
1. Expend district revenues to construct, reconstruct, alter, improve, or expand transportation improvements and make loans or otherwise provide for the cost of transportation improvements and for financial assistance to operate transportation improvements in the district for the use and benefit of the public.
2. Acquire by gift, purchase, lease, in-kind contribution to construction costs, or otherwise any transportation improvements in the district and sell, lease as lessor, transfer, or dispose of any part of any transportation improvements in such manner and upon such terms as the commission may determine to be in the best interests of the district. However, prior to disposing of any such property or interest therein, the commission shall conduct a public hearing with respect to such disposition. At the hearing, the residents and owners of property within the district shall have an opportunity to be heard. At least seven days' notice of the time and place of such hearing shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the district, as prescribed by the commission. Such public hearing may be adjourned from time to time.
3. Negotiate and contract with any person with regard to any matter necessary and proper to provide any transportation improvements, including the financing, acquisition, construction, reconstruction, alteration, improvement, expansion, operation, or maintenance of any transportation improvements in the district. For the purposes of this chapter, transportation improvements are within the district if they are located within the boundaries of the transportation improvement district or are reasonably deemed necessary for the construction or operation of transportation improvements within the boundaries of the transportation improvement district.
4. Enter into a continuing service contract for a purpose authorized by this chapter and make payments of the proceeds received from the special taxes levied pursuant to this chapter, together with any other revenues, for installments due under that service contract. The district may apply such payments annually during the term of that service contract in an amount sufficient to make the installment payments due under that contract, subject to the limitation imposed by this chapter. However, payments for any such service contract shall be conditioned upon the receipt of services pursuant to the contract. Such a contract shall not obligate a county or participating town to make payments for services of the district.
5. Accept the allocations, contributions, or funds of any available source or reimburse from any available source, including any person, for the whole or any part of the costs, expenses, and charges incident to the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, maintenance, alteration, improvement, and expansion or the operation of any transportation improvements in the district.
6. Contract for the extension and use of any public mass transit system or highway into territory outside the district on such terms and conditions as the commission determines.
7. Employ and fix the compensation of personnel who may be deemed necessary for the construction, operation, or maintenance of any transportation improvements in the district.
8. Have prepared an annual audit of the district's financial obligations and revenues, and upon review of such audit, request a tax rate adequate to provide tax revenues that, together with all other revenues, are required by the district to fulfill its annual obligations.
2001, c. 611, § 33.1-433; 2004, c. 792; 2014, c. 805; 2015, c. 256; 2023, cc. 506, 507.
§ 33.2-2104. District advisory boards.Within 30 days after the establishment of a district under this chapter, the governing body shall appoint six members to a district advisory board, and the town council of any participating town shall appoint two members to that board. Three of the six members appointed by the governing body shall be chosen by the governing body from nominations submitted to the governing body by the petitioners. If any members are subject to appointment by a town council as provided in this section, then one of the two members so appointed shall be chosen by the town council from nominations submitted to the town council by the petitioners. All members shall own or represent the owners of real property within the district zoned or used for commercial or industrial purposes. Each member shall be appointed for a term of four years, except the initial appointment of advisory board members shall provide that the terms of three of the members shall be for two years. If a vacancy occurs with respect to an advisory board member initially appointed by a governing body or a town council, or any successor of such a member, the governing body or the town council, as appropriate, shall appoint a new member who is an owner or representative of an owner of real property within the district zoned or used for commercial or industrial purposes. If a vacancy occurs with respect to an advisory board member initially nominated by the petitioners, or any successor thereof, the remaining advisory board members initially nominated by the petitioners, or the successors of such remaining advisory board members, shall nominate a new member for selection by the governing body or town council, as appropriate.
District advisory board members shall serve without pay, but the governing body shall provide the advisory board with facilities for the holding of meetings, and the commission shall appropriate funds needed to defray the reasonable expenses and fees of the advisory board, which shall not exceed $20,000 annually, including expenses and fees arising out of the preparation of the annual report. Such appropriations shall be based on an annual budget submitted by the board, and approved by the commission, sufficient to carry out its responsibilities under this chapter. The advisory board shall elect a chairman and a secretary and such other officers as it deems necessary. The advisory board shall fix the time for holding regular meetings, but it shall meet at least once every year. Special meetings of the advisory board shall be called by the chairman or by two members of the advisory board upon written request to the secretary of the advisory board. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.
The advisory board shall present an annual report to the commission on the transportation needs of the district and on the activities of the advisory board, and the advisory board shall present special reports on transportation matters as requested by the commission or the governing body concerning taxes to be levied pursuant to this chapter.
2001, c. 611, § 33.1-434; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2105. Annual special improvements tax; use of revenues.Upon the written request of the commission made to the governing body, the governing body may levy and collect an annual special improvements tax on taxable real estate zoned for commercial or industrial use or used for such purposes and taxable leasehold interests in that portion of the improvement district within its jurisdiction. For the purposes of this chapter, real property that is zoned to permit multiunit residential use but not yet used for that purpose and multiunit residential real property that is primarily leased or rented to residential tenants or other occupants by an owner who is engaged in such a business shall be deemed to be property in commercial use and therefore subject to the special improvements tax authorized by this section. Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 4 (§ 58.1-3229 et seq.) of Chapter 32 of Title 58.1, the tax shall be levied on the assessed fair market value of the taxable real property. The rate of the special improvements tax shall not be more than 40 cents ($0.40) per $100 of the assessed fair market value of any taxable real estate or the assessable value of taxable leasehold property as specified by § 58.1-3203; however, if all the owners in any district so request in writing, this limitation on rate shall not apply. Such special improvements taxes shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner as the county's taxes are collected, and the proceeds shall be kept in a separate account. The effective date of the initial levy shall be, at the discretion of the governing body, either (i) January 1 of the year following adoption of the resolution creating the district or (ii) on a prorated basis for the period from the date when the special improvements tax was first imposed through the remainder of the year. All revenues received by the county pursuant to such taxes shall be paid to or at the direction of the district commission for its use pursuant to this chapter. All revenues generated from the annual special improvements taxes levied by the governing body pursuant to this section shall be deemed to be contributions of that governing body in any transportation cost-sharing formula.
2001, c. 611, § 33.1-435; 2004, c. 792; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2106. Agreements with the Commonwealth Transportation Board; payment of special improvements tax to Transportation Trust Fund.A. In addition to any other power conferred by this chapter, the district may contract with the Commonwealth Transportation Board for the Commonwealth Transportation Board to perform any of the purposes of the district.
The district may agree by contract to pay all or a portion of the special improvements tax to the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
Prior to executing any such contract, the district shall seek the agreement of the governing body that the county's officer charged with the responsibility for preparing the county's annual budget shall submit in the budget for each fiscal year in which any Commonwealth of Virginia Transportation Contract Revenue Bonds issued for such district are outstanding all amounts to be paid to the Commonwealth Transportation Board under such contract during such fiscal year.
If the amount required to be paid to the Commonwealth Transportation Board under the contract is not so paid for a period of 60 days after such amount is due, the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall, until such amount has been paid, withhold sufficient funds from funds appropriated and allocated, pursuant to Article 5 (§ 33.2-351 et seq.) of Chapter 3, to the highway construction district in which the transportation improvements covered by such contract are located or to such locality or localities in which such transportation improvements are located and to use such funds to satisfy the contractual requirements.
B. While nothing in this chapter shall limit the authority of any county or participating town to change the classification of property zoned for commercial or industrial use or used for such purpose upon the written request or approval of the owner of any property affected by such change after the effective date of any such contract, should a change in zoning classification so requested result in a shortfall in the total annual revenues from the imposition of the special improvements tax and the payments required to be made to the Commonwealth Transportation Board pursuant to the contract, the district shall request the governing body to increase the rate of such tax by such amount up to the maximum authorized rate as may be necessary to prevent such shortfall. If, however, a deficit remains after any rezoning and adjustment of the tax rate or the rate is at the maximum authorized rate and cannot be increased, then the amount of funds otherwise appropriated and allocated, pursuant to the highway allocation formula as provided by law, to the highway construction district in which the project covered by such contract is located or to the county shall be reduced by the amount of such deficit and used to satisfy the deficit.
2001, c. 611, § 33.1-436; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2107. Payments for certain changes in zoning classifications or use.A. For any real property within the district for which a county or participating town changes its zoning classification from one that is subject to the special improvements tax authorized by § 33.2-2106 to a classification that is not subject to that tax, the county or participating town shall require the simultaneous payment from the property owner of a sum representing the present value of the future special improvements taxes estimated by the county to be lost as a result of such change in classification. On a case-by-case basis, however, the governing body or town council of a participating town may, in its sole discretion, defer, for no more than 60 days, the effective date of such change in zoning classification. Upon deferral, the lump sum provided for in this subsection shall be paid to the county in immediately available funds acceptable to the county before the deferred effective date. If the landowner fails to make this lump sum payment as and when required, the change in zoning classification shall not become effective and the ordinance shall be void. Special improvements taxes previously paid in the year of the zoning change may be credited toward the payment on a prorated basis. The portion of the payment that may be credited shall be that portion of the year following the change in zoning classification. If at the time there is outstanding a contract by which the district has agreed to pay all or a portion of the special improvements tax to the Commonwealth Transportation Board, then the district and the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall agree to a method of calculating the present value of the loss of future special improvements taxes resulting from such a change in zoning classification and the procedure for payment of such funds to the Commonwealth Transportation Board. Whenever any county or participating town acts in accordance with such an agreement between the district and the Commonwealth Transportation Board, the change in zoning classification shall not be considered to have resulted in a shortfall in the total annual revenues from the imposition of the special improvements tax and the payments required to be made to the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
B. Any owner of any real property that is subject to the special improvements tax authorized by § 33.2-2106 because it is zoned to permit multiunit residential use but is not yet used for that purpose or because it consists of multiunit residential real property that is primarily leased or rented to residential tenants or other occupants by an owner who is engaged in such a business who wishes to change the use of the real property to one that is not subject to that tax shall be required, prior to any such change in use, to pay to the county a sum representing the present value of the future special improvements taxes estimated by the county to be lost as a result of such change in use.
2001, c. 611, § 33.1-437; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2108. Jurisdiction of localities and officers, etc., not affected.Neither the creation of a district nor any other provision in this chapter shall affect the power, jurisdiction, or duties of the respective local governing bodies of any county or participating town; sheriffs; treasurers; commissioners of the revenue; circuit, district, or other courts; clerks of any court; magistrates; or any other local or state officer in regard to the area embraced in any district or restrict or prevent any county or its governing body, or participating town or its town council, from imposing and collecting taxes or assessments for public improvements as permitted by law. Any county that creates a district pursuant to this chapter and any participating town may obligate itself with respect to the zoning ordinances, zoning ordinance text, and regulations relating thereto for all commercial and industrial classifications within the district as provided in this chapter for a term not to exceed 20 years from the date on which such district is created.
2001, c. 611, § 33.1-438; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2109. Allocation of funds to districts.The governing body or the town council of a participating town in which a district has been created pursuant to this chapter may advance funds or provide matching funds from money not otherwise specifically allocated or obligated. Such funds may be received or generated from whatever source, including general revenues, special fees and assessments, state allocations, and contributions from private sources to a local district to assist the local district to undertake the transportation improvements for which it was created. To assist the district with an approved transportation improvement, the Commonwealth Transportation Board may allocate to a district created pursuant to this chapter only funds allocated, pursuant to Article 5 (§ 33.2-351 et seq.) of Chapter 3, and subsection A of § 58.1-638, to the construction districts and localities in which such transportation district is located.
2001, c. 611, § 33.1-439; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2110. Reimbursement for advances to district.To the extent that a county or participating town has made advances to the district, the commission shall direct the district treasurer to reimburse the county or participating town from any district funds not otherwise specifically allocated or obligated.
2001, c. 611, § 33.1-440; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2111. Cooperation between districts and other political subdivisions.Any district created pursuant to this chapter may enter into agreements with counties, cities, and towns or other political subdivisions of the Commonwealth, with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, or with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority for joint or cooperative action in accordance with the standards and procedures set forth in § 15.2-1300.
2001, c. 611, § 33.1-441; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2112. Tort liability.No pecuniary liability of any kind shall be imposed upon the Commonwealth or any county, city, or town or landowner therein because of any act, agreement, contract, tort, malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance by or on the part of a district or its agents, servants, or employees.
2001, c. 611, § 33.1-442; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2113. Approval by Commonwealth Transportation Board.The district may not construct or improve a transportation improvement without the approval of the Commonwealth Transportation Board, the county in which the transportation improvement will be located, and, with respect to any improvements located within a participating town, its town council. At the request of the commission, the Commissioner of Highways may exercise the powers of condemnation provided in Chapter 2 (§ 25.1-200 et seq.) of Title 25.1, Article 1 (§ 33.2-1000 et seq.) of Chapter 10, or § 33.2-705, for the purpose of acquiring property for transportation improvements within the district.
Upon completion of such construction or improvement, the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall take any affected public highway into the appropriate state highway system for purposes of maintenance and subsequent improvements as necessary. Upon acceptance by the Commonwealth of such highway into a state highway system, all rights, title, and interest in the right-of-way and improvements of any affected highway shall vest in the Commonwealth. Upon completion of construction or improvement of a mass transit system, all rights, title, and interest in the right-of-way and improvements of such mass transit system shall vest in an agency or instrumentality of the Commonwealth designated by the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
2001, c. 611, § 33.1-443; 2003, c. 940; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2114. Enlargement of local districts.The district shall be enlarged by resolution of the governing body upon the petitions of the district commission and the owners of at least 51 percent of either the land area or the assessed value of real property of the district and of at least 51 percent of either the land area or assessed value of real property located within the territory sought to be added to the district. However, any such territory shall be contiguous to the existing district. The petition shall present the information required by § 33.2-2101. Upon receipt of such a petition, the county shall use the standards and procedures provided in § 33.2-2101, except that the residents and owners of both the existing district and the area proposed for the enlargement shall have the right to appear and show cause why any property should not be included in the proposed district. If the proposed enlargement of the district encompasses any portion of a town, then such standards and procedures shall include the requirement to obtain a resolution from the town council in the manner set forth in § 33.2-2101, which shall have the same effect as set forth in that section.
If the governing body finds the enlargement of a local district would be in accordance with the applicable comprehensive plan for the development of the area, in the best interests of the residents and owners of the property within the proposed district, and in furtherance of the public health, safety, and general welfare, and if the governing body finds that enlargement of the district does not limit or adversely affect the rights and interests of any party that has contracted with the district, the governing body may pass a resolution providing for the enlargement of the district.
2001, c. 611, § 33.1-444; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2115. Abolition of local transportation districts.A. Any district created pursuant to this chapter may be abolished by resolutions passed by the governing body and the town council of any participating town, upon the joint petition of the commission and the owners of at least 51 percent of the land area located within the district. Joint petitions shall:
1. State whether the purposes for which the district was formed have been substantially achieved;
2. State whether all obligations incurred by the district have been fully paid;
3. Describe the benefits that can be expected from the abolition of the district; and
4. Request the governing body to abolish the district.
B. Upon receipt of such a petition, the governing body and the town council of any participating town, in considering the abolition of the district, shall use the standards and procedures described in § 33.2-2101 mutatis mutandis, except that all interested persons who either reside on or who own real property within the boundaries of the district shall have the right to appear and show cause why the district should not be abolished.
C. If the governing body and the town council of any participating town find that (i) the abolition of the district is in accordance with the locality's comprehensive plan for the development of the area; (ii) the abolition of the district is in the best interests of the residents and owners of the property within the district; (iii) the abolition of the district is in furtherance of the public health, safety, and welfare; and (iv) all debts of the district have been paid and the purposes of the district either have been, or should not be, fulfilled or finds that the governing body with the approval of the voters of the county has agreed to assume the debts of the district, then the governing body and the town council of any participating town may pass resolutions abolishing the district and the district advisory board. Upon abolition of the district, the title to all funds and properties owned by the district at the time of such dissolution shall vest in the county.
2001, c. 611, § 33.1-445; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2116. Chapter to constitute complete authority for acts authorized; liberal construction.This chapter shall constitute complete authority for the district to take the actions authorized by this chapter. This chapter, being necessary for the welfare of the Commonwealth and its inhabitants, shall be liberally construed to effect its purposes. Any court test concerning the validity of any bonds that may be issued for transportation improvements made pursuant to this chapter shall be determined pursuant to the Public Finance Act of 1991 (§ 15.2-2600 et seq.).
2001, c. 611, § 33.1-446; 2014, c. 805.
Chapter 22. Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel District and Commission.
§ 33.2-2200. Definitions.As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Bonds" means bonds, notes, bond anticipation notes, or other obligations of the District, notwithstanding any contrary provision in this chapter, which may be issued in certificated or uncertificated form as current interest or capital appreciation bonds, or a hybrid thereof, and may bear interest at a rate, which may be fixed, zero, or at a floating or variable rate of interest established by reference to indices or formulae, that may be in excess of the rate now permitted by law and payable at such times as the Commission may determine. Bonds may be issued under a system of book entry for recording the ownership and transfer of ownership of rights to receive payments of principal and premium, if any, and interest on the bonds. Bonds may be sold in such manner and for such price as the Commission may determine to be for the best interests of the District.
"Commission" means the governing body of the District known as the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel Commission.
"Cost," as applied to the project, means any or all of the following: the cost of construction; the cost of the acquisition of all land, rights-of-way, property, rights, franchises, easements, and interests acquired by the Commission for such construction; the cost of demolishing or removing any buildings or structures on land so acquired, including the cost of acquiring any lands to which such buildings or structures may be moved; the cost of all machinery and equipment; provision for reasonable working capital, financing charges, and interest prior to and during construction; and, if deemed advisable by the Commission, for a period not exceeding one year after completion of construction, the cost of traffic estimates and of engineering and legal services, plans, specifications, surveys, estimates of cost and of revenues, and other expenses necessary or incident to determining the feasibility or practicability of constructing the project; administrative expenses; and such other expenses as may be necessary or incident to the construction of the project, the financing of such construction, and the placing of the project in operation. Any obligation or expense hereafter incurred by the Commonwealth Transportation Board with the approval of the Commission for traffic surveys, borings, preparation of plans and specifications, and other engineering services in connection with the construction of the project shall be regarded as a part of the cost of the project and shall be reimbursed to the Commonwealth Transportation Board out of the proceeds of revenue bonds issued for the project as authorized in this chapter.
"District" means the political subdivision of the Commonwealth known as the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel District.
"Owner" includes all persons as defined in § 1-230 having any interest or title in and to property, rights, franchises, easements, and interests authorized to be acquired by this chapter.
"Project" means a bridge or tunnel or a bridge and tunnel project, including the existing bridge and tunnel crossing operated by the Commission and all or a part of an additional and generally parallel bridge and tunnel crossing, from any point within the boundaries of the District to a point in the County of Northampton, including such approaches and approach highways as the Commission deems necessary to facilitate the flow of traffic in the vicinity of such project or to connect such project with the highway system or other traffic facilities in the Commonwealth, and including all overpasses, underpasses, interchanges, entrance plazas, toll houses, service stations, garages, restaurants, and administration, storage, and other buildings and facilities that the Commission may deem necessary for the operation of such project, together with all property, rights, franchises, easements, and interests that may be required by the Commission for the construction or the operation of such project.
1956, c. 714; 1959, Extra Session, c. 24; 1990, c. 203; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2201. Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel District.The Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel District is hereby created as a political subdivision of the Commonwealth. The District shall comprise the area included in the boundaries of the Counties of Accomack and Northampton; within the corporate limits of the Cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach; and the area of Chesapeake Bay between these political subdivisions. This entity may sue and be sued under the name Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel District. Through its governing board, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel Commission, the District may plead and be impleaded and contract with individuals, partnerships, associations, private corporations, municipal corporations, political subdivisions of the Commonwealth, and the federal government or any agency thereof having any interest or title in and to property, rights, easements, or franchises authorized to be acquired by this chapter.
1954, c. 693; 1956, c. 462; 1962, c. 605; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2202. Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel Commission.The Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel Commission is hereby created as the governing board of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel District created by this chapter. The Commission shall consist of the following 11 members: one member of the Commonwealth Transportation Board, two members from Accomack County, two members from Northampton County, one member from the City of Chesapeake, one member from the City of Hampton, one member from the City of Newport News, one member from the City of Norfolk, one member from the City of Portsmouth, and one member from the City of Virginia Beach. The members of the Commission appointed under the provisions of this section shall be residents of the counties or cities from which they are appointed.
Commission members shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by both houses of the General Assembly. Commission members shall be appointed to four-year terms. Any member of the Commission shall be eligible for reappointment to a second four-year term, but shall be ineligible for appointment to any additional term except for appointment to fill vacancies for portions of unexpired terms. When a vacancy occurs, the Governor shall appoint a new member to complete the unexpired portion of the term, subject to confirmation by both houses of the General Assembly.
The Commission shall select a chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, and treasurer annually from its membership and as provided in its bylaws. Meetings of the Commission shall be held upon the call of the chairman or as otherwise provided in the bylaws of the Commission. Any member of the Commission may be removed from office for cause by the Governor. Each member of the Commission, immediately following his appointment, shall take an oath of office, prescribed by Article II, Section 7 of the Constitution of Virginia, before any judge, clerk, or deputy clerk of any court of record; any judge of a district court in the Commonwealth; the Secretary of the Commonwealth or his deputy; or a member of the State Corporation Commission. No member of the Commission shall receive any salary, but members are entitled to expenses and per diem pay as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825. Six members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. The records of the Commission shall be public records. The Commission is authorized to do all things necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and the execution of its powers under this chapter. The route for any bridge or tunnel, or combination thereof, built by the Commission shall be selected subject to the approval of the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
1954, c. 693; 1956, c. 462; 1962, c. 405; 1998, c. 548; 2000, cc. 238, 705; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2203. General powers of the Commission.The Commission is hereby authorized and empowered:
1. To establish, construct, maintain, repair, and operate the project, provided that no such project shall be constructed unless adequate provision is made for the retirement of any revenue bonds issued by the Commission;
2. To determine the location, character, size, and capacity of the project; to establish, limit, and control such points of ingress to and egress from the project as may be necessary or desirable in the judgment of the Commission to ensure the proper operation and maintenance of the project; and to prohibit entrance to such project from any point or points not so designated. The Commission shall coordinate its plans with those of the Commonwealth Transportation Board insofar as practicable;
3. To secure all necessary federal authorizations, permits, and approvals for the construction, maintenance, repair, and operation of the project;
4. To make regulations for the conduct of its business;
5. To acquire, by purchase or condemnation in the name of the District, hold, and dispose of real and personal property for the corporate purposes of the District;
6. To acquire full information to enable it to establish, construct, maintain, repair, and operate the project;
7. To employ consulting engineers, a superintendent or manager of the project, and such other engineering, architectural, construction, and accounting experts, and inspectors, attorneys, and other employees as may be deemed necessary and, within the limitations prescribed in this chapter, to prescribe their powers and duties and fix their compensation;
8. To pay, from any available moneys, the cost of plans, specifications, surveys, estimates of cost and revenues, legal fees, and other expenses necessary or incident to determining the feasibility or practicability of financing, constructing, maintaining, repairing, and operating the project;
9. To issue revenue bonds of the District, for any of its corporate purposes, payable solely from the tolls and revenues pledged for their payment, and to refund its bonds, all as provided in this chapter;
10. To fix, revise, charge, and collect tolls and other charges for the use of the project;
11. To make and enter into all contracts or agreements, as the Commission may determine, that are necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and to the execution of the powers granted under this chapter;
12. To accept loans and grants of money or materials or property at any time from the United States of America or the Commonwealth or any agency or instrumentality thereof;
13. To adopt an official seal and alter the same at its pleasure and to make, amend, and repeal bylaws and regulations not inconsistent with law to carry into effect the powers and purposes of the Commission;
14. To sue and be sued and to plead and be impleaded, all in the name of the District;
15. To exercise any power usually possessed by private corporations performing similar functions, including the right to expend, solely from funds provided under the authority of this chapter, such funds as may be considered by the Commission to be advisable or necessary in advertising its facilities and services to the traveling public; and
16. To do all acts and things necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and the execution of its powers under this chapter.
1956, c. 714; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2204. Additional powers of the Commission.The Commission has the power:
1. To construct grade separations at intersections of the project with public highways and to change and adjust the lines and grades of such highways so as to accommodate the same to the design of such grade separation. The cost of such grade separations and any damage incurred in changing and adjusting the lines and grades of such highways shall be ascertained and paid by the Commission as a part of the cost of the project.
2. To change the location of any portion of any public highway. The Commission shall cause the portion of the public highway to be reconstructed at such location as the Commission deems most favorable and of substantially the same type and in as good condition as the original highway. The cost of such reconstruction and any damage incurred in changing the location of any such highway shall be ascertained and paid by the Commission as a part of the cost of the project.
Any public highway affected by the construction of the project may be vacated or relocated by the Commission in the manner now provided by law for the vacation or relocation of public roads, and any damages awarded on account thereof shall be paid by the Commission as a part of the cost of the project.
3. To enter upon any lands, waters, and premises in the Commonwealth, along with its authorized agents and employees, for the purpose of making surveys, soundings, drillings, and examinations as they may deem necessary or convenient for the purposes of this chapter, and such entry shall not be deemed a trespass, nor shall an entry for such purposes be deemed an entry under any condemnation proceedings that may be then pending. The Commission shall make reimbursement for any actual damage resulting to such lands, waters, and premises as a result of such activities.
4. To make reasonable regulations for the installation, construction, maintenance, repair, renewal, relocation, and removal of tracks, pipes, mains, conduits, cables, wires, towers, poles, and other equipment and appliances (herein called "public utility facilities") of any public utility in, on, along, over, or under the project. When public utility facilities that are or may be located in, on, along, over, or under the project should be relocated in the project, or should be removed from the project, the public utility owning or operating such facilities shall relocate or remove the same in accordance with the order of the Commission, provided that the cost and expenses of such relocation or removal, including the cost of installing such facilities in a new location, and the cost of any lands, or any rights or interests in lands, and any other rights, acquired to accomplish such relocation or removal, shall be ascertained and paid by the Commission as a part of the cost of the project. In case of any such relocation or removal of facilities, the public utility owning or operating the facilities, its successors or assigns, may maintain and operate such facilities, with the necessary appurtenances, in the new location, for as long a period, and upon the same terms and conditions, as it had the right to maintain and operate such facilities in their former location.
The Commonwealth hereby consents to the use of all lands owned by it, including lands lying under water, that are deemed by the Commission to be necessary for the construction or operation of the project.
1956, c. 693; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2205. Regulations of the Commission; enforcement.The Commission shall have power:
1. To adopt and enforce reasonable regulations that, after publication one time in full in a newspaper of general circulation published in or having general circulation in the City of Virginia Beach and a newspaper of general circulation published in or having general circulation in the County of Northampton and when posted where the using public may conveniently see such regulations, shall have the force and effect of law as to (i) maximum and minimum speed limits applicable to motor vehicles using the project and other property under control of the Commission; (ii) the types, kinds, and sizes of the vehicles that may use the project; (iii) the nature, size, type, or kind of materials or substances that shall not be transported through or over the project; and (iv) such other regulations as may be necessary or expedient in the interest of public safety with respect to the use of the project.
2. To punish a violation of the regulations provided for in subdivision 1 as follows:
a. If a violation would have been a violation of law or ordinance if committed on any public street or highway in the locality in which such violation occurred, it shall be tried and punished in the same manner as if it had been committed on such public street or highway.
b. If a violation occurs within one jurisdiction and is punishable within another jurisdiction, the court trying the case shall, if the accused is found guilty, apply the punishment that is prescribed for offenses occurring within the jurisdiction of the court trying the case.
c. All other violations shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
3. To appoint and employ police to enforce within the area under the control of the Commission the regulations adopted by the Commission and the laws of the Commonwealth. Such police shall have the powers vested in police officers under §§ 15.2-1704 and 52-8, which sections shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to police appointed pursuant to this chapter.
Such police appointed by the Commission may issue summons to appear, or arrest on view or on information without warrant as permitted by law, within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth, and conduct before any police or county court of any political subdivision into which the project extends any person violating, within or upon the project or other property under the control of the Commission, any rule or regulation of the Commission or any law of the Commonwealth pertaining to the regulation and control of highway traffic on any bridge or tunnel owned or operated by the Commission, including all entrance or exit plazas and approaches adjacent or appurtenant thereto and any rule or regulation regarding the payment of tolls.
4. For the purpose of enforcing such laws and regulations, the courts of the City of Virginia Beach and the County of Northampton have concurrent jurisdiction of criminal offenses that constitute violations of the laws and regulations of the Commission.
1954, c. 693; 1962, c. 228; 1964, c. 348; 2014, c. 805; 2015, c. 256.
§ 33.2-2206. Acquisition of property.The Commission is hereby authorized and empowered to acquire by purchase, whenever it deems such purchase expedient, solely from funds provided under the authority of this chapter, such lands, structures, rights-of-way, property, rights, franchises, easements, and other interests in lands, including lands lying under water and riparian rights, that are located within the Commonwealth as it may deem necessary or convenient for the construction and operation of the project, upon such terms and at such prices as may be considered by it to be reasonable and can be agreed upon between it and the owner thereof, and to take title thereto in the name of the District.
All localities and political subdivisions and all public agencies and commissions of the Commonwealth, notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, are hereby authorized and empowered to lease, lend, grant, or convey to the District at the Commission's request upon such terms and conditions as the proper authorities of such localities, political subdivisions, agencies, or commissions of the Commonwealth may deem reasonable and fair and without the necessity for any advertisement, order of court, or other action or formality, other than the regular and formal action of the authorities concerned, any real property that may be necessary or convenient to the effectuation of the authorized purposes of the Commission, including public highways and other real property already devoted to public use.
Whenever a reasonable price cannot be agreed upon, or whenever the owner is legally incapacitated or is absent, unknown, or unable to convey valid title, the Commission is hereby authorized and empowered to acquire by condemnation or by the exercise of the power of eminent domain any lands, property, rights, rights-of-way, franchises, easements, and other property, including public lands, parks, playgrounds, reservations, highways, or parkways, or parts thereof or rights therein, of any person, partnership, association, railroad, public service, public utility or other corporation, municipality, or political subdivision deemed necessary or convenient for the construction or the efficient operation of the project or necessary in the restoration of public or private property damaged or destroyed. Such proceedings shall be in accordance with and subject to the provisions of any and all laws applicable to condemnation of property in the name of the Commissioner of Highways under the laws of the Commonwealth. Title to any property acquired by the Commission shall be taken in the name of the District. In any condemnation proceedings, the court having jurisdiction of the suit, action, or proceeding may make such orders as may be just to the Commission and to the owners of the property to be condemned and may require an undertaking or other security to secure such owners against any loss or damage by reason of the failure of the Commission to accept and pay for the property, but neither such undertaking or security nor any act or obligation of the Commission shall impose any liability upon the District except as may be paid from the funds provided under the authority of this chapter.
If the owner, lessee, or occupier of any property to be condemned refuses to remove his personal property therefrom or give up possession thereof, the Commission may proceed to obtain possession in any manner provided by law.
With respect to any railroad property or right-of-way upon which railroad tracks are located, any powers of condemnation or of eminent domain may be exercised to acquire only an easement interest therein, which is located either sufficiently far above or sufficiently far below the grade of any railroad track upon such railroad property so that neither the proposed project nor any part thereof, including any bridges, abutments, columns, supporting structures, and appurtenances, nor any traffic upon it interferes in any manner with the use, operation, or maintenance of the trains, tracks, works, or appurtenances or other property of the railroad nor endanger the movement of the trains or traffic upon the tracks of the railroad. Prior to the institution of condemnation proceedings for such easement over or under such railroad property or right-of-way, plans and specifications of the proposed project showing compliance with the above-mentioned above or below grade requirements and showing sufficient and safe plans and specifications of such overhead or undergrade structure and appurtenances shall be submitted to the railroad for examination and approval. If the railroad fails or refuses within 30 days to approve the plans and specifications so submitted, the matter shall be submitted to the State Corporation Commission, as to the sufficiency and safety of such plans and specifications and as to such elevations or distances above or below the tracks. Said overhead or undergrade structure and appurtenances shall be constructed only in accordance with such plans and specifications and in accordance with such elevations or distances above or below the tracks so approved by the railroad or the State Corporation Commission. A copy of the plans and specifications approved by the railroad or the State Corporation Commission shall be filed as an exhibit with the petition for condemnation. The cost of any such overhead or undergrade projects and appurtenances and any expense and cost incurred in changing, adjusting, relocating, or removing the lines and grades of such railroad in connection with the project shall be paid by the Commission as a part of the cost of the project.
1956, c. 714; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2207. Consent of Commonwealth to use subaqueous soil of the Chesapeake Bay.The Commonwealth hereby consents to the use by the Commission, in any manner whatsoever in the performance of its duties, of all lands lying under the waters of the Chesapeake Bay that are within the Commonwealth and are deemed by the Commission to be necessary for the construction or operation of the project.
1954, c. 693; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2208. Revenue bonds.The Commission is hereby authorized to provide by resolution for the issuance of revenue bonds of the District for any one or more of the following purposes: (i) paying all or a part of the cost of all or a part of the project and (ii) refunding any outstanding revenue bonds of the District that have been issued under the provisions of this chapter, including the payment of any redemption premium thereon and any interest accrued or to accrue to the date of redemption of such bonds. The principal of and the interest on such bonds shall be payable solely from the funds herein provided for such payment. The bonds of each issue shall be dated, shall bear interest at such rate not exceeding six percent per year payable semiannually, shall mature at such time, not exceeding 40 years from their date, as may be determined by the Commission, and may be made redeemable before maturity, at the option of the Commission, at such price and under such terms and conditions as may be fixed by the Commission prior to the issuance of the bonds. The principal and interest of such bonds may be made payable in any lawful medium. The Commission shall determine the form of the bonds, including any interest coupons to be attached thereto, and the manner of execution of the bonds, and shall fix the denomination of the bonds and the place of payment of principal and interest thereof, which may be at any bank or trust company within or outside of the Commonwealth. If any officer whose signature or a facsimile of whose signature appears on any bonds or coupons ceases to be such officer before the delivery of the bonds, his signature or such facsimile shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes the same as if he had remained in office until delivery. All revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter shall have and are hereby declared to have, as between successive holders, all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the negotiable instruments law of the Commonwealth. The bonds may be issued in coupon or in registered form, or both, as the Commission may determine, and provision may be made for the registration of any coupon bonds as to principal alone and also as to both principal and interest, and for the reconversion of any bonds registered as to both principal and interest into coupon bonds. The Commission may sell such bonds in such manner and for such price as it may determine to be for the best interest of the District, but no such sale shall be made at a price so low as to require the payment of interest on the money received therefor at more than six percent per year computed with relation to the absolute maturity of the bonds in accordance with standard tables of bond values, excluding from such computations the amount of any premium to be paid on redemption of any bonds prior to maturity. The proceeds of such bonds shall be disbursed for the purposes for which such bonds shall have been issued under such restrictions, if any, as the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or the trust indenture provided for in this chapter. If the bonds of a particular issue, by error of estimates or otherwise, are less than such cost, additional bonds may in like manner be issued to provide the amount of such deficit and, unless otherwise provided in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or in the trust indenture securing the same, shall be deemed to be of the same issue and shall be entitled to payment from the same fund without preference or priority of the bonds first issued for the same purpose. If the proceeds of the bonds of any issue exceed the amount required for the purpose for which such bonds are issued, the surplus shall be paid into the funds hereinafter provided for the payment of principal and interest of such bonds. Prior to the preparation of definitive bonds, the Commission may, under like restrictions, issue temporary bonds, with or without coupons, exchangeable for definitive bonds when such bonds have been executed and are available for delivery. The Commission may also provide for the replacement of any bond that becomes mutilated or that has been destroyed or lost. Such revenue bonds may be issued without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things than the proceedings, conditions, and things that are specified and required by this chapter.
1956, c. 714; 1959, Extra Session, c. 24; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2209. Bonds not to constitute a debt or pledge of taxing power.Revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter shall not be deemed to constitute a debt of the District or of the Commonwealth or of any county, city, district, or political subdivision thereof, or a pledge of the faith and credit of the District or of the Commonwealth or of any county, city, district, or political subdivision thereof, but such bonds shall be payable solely from the funds herein provided therefor from tolls and other revenues. The issuance of revenue bonds under the provisions of this chapter shall not directly or indirectly or contingently obligate the District, the Commonwealth, or any county, city, district, or political subdivision thereof to levy or to pledge any form of taxation whatever therefor. All such revenue bonds shall contain a statement on their face substantially to the foregoing effect.
1956, c. 714; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2210. Trust indenture.In the discretion of the Commission any bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter may be secured by a trust indenture by and between the Commission and a corporate trustee, which may be any trust company or bank having the powers of a trust company within or outside of the Commonwealth. Such trust indenture or the resolution providing for the issuance of such bonds may pledge or assign the tolls and other revenues to be received, but shall not convey or mortgage the project or any part thereof. Such trust indenture or resolution providing for the issuance of such bonds may contain such provisions for protecting and enforcing the rights and remedies of the bondholders as may be reasonable and proper and not in violation of law, including covenants setting forth the duties of the Commission in relation to the acquisition of property and the construction, improvement, maintenance, repair, operation, and insurance of the project in connection with which such bonds have been authorized, the rates of toll to be charged, and the custody, safeguarding, and application of all moneys. It shall be lawful for any bank or trust company incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth that may act as depository of the proceeds of bonds or of revenues to furnish such indemnifying bonds or to pledge such securities as may be required by the Commission. Any such trust indenture may set forth the rights and remedies of the bondholders and of the trustee and may restrict the individual right of action by bondholders. In addition to the foregoing, any such trust indenture or resolution may contain such other provisions as the Commission may deem reasonable and proper for the security of the bondholders. All expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of such trust indenture or resolution may be treated as a part of the cost of the operation of the project.
1956, c. 714; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2211. Revenues.The Commission is hereby authorized to fix, revise, charge, and collect tolls for the use of the project, and to contract with any person, partnership, association, or corporation desiring the use thereof, and to fix the terms, conditions, rents, and rates of charges for such use.
Such tolls shall be so fixed and adjusted in respect of the aggregate of tolls from the project in connection with which the bonds of any issue have been issued under the provisions of this chapter as to provide a fund sufficient with other revenues, if any, to pay (i) the cost of maintaining, repairing, and operating the project and (ii) the principal of and the interest on such bonds as the same become due and payable, and to create reserves for such purposes. Such tolls shall not be subject to supervision or regulation by any other commission, board, bureau, or agency of the Commonwealth. The tolls and all other revenues derived from the project in connection with which the bonds of any issue have been issued, except such part thereof as may be necessary to pay such cost of maintenance, repair, and operation and to provide such reserves therefor as may be provided for in the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or in the trust indenture securing the same, shall be set aside at such regular intervals as may be provided in such resolution or such trust indenture in a sinking fund that is hereby pledged to, and charged with, the payment of the principal of and the interest on such bonds as the same become due, and the redemption price or the purchase price of bonds retired by call or purchase as therein provided. Such pledge shall be valid and binding from the time when the pledge is made; the tolls or other revenues or other moneys so pledged and thereafter received by the Commission shall immediately be subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act, and the lien of any such pledge shall be valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract, or otherwise against the Commission, irrespective of whether such parties have notice thereof. Neither the resolution nor any trust indenture by which a pledge is created need be filed or recorded except in the records of the Commission. The use and disposition of moneys to the credit of such sinking fund shall be subject to the provisions of the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or of such trust indenture. Except as may otherwise be provided in such resolution or such trust indenture, such sinking fund shall be a fund for all such bonds without distinction or priority of one over another.
1956, c. 714; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2212. Cessation of tolls.When the bonds issued for the project and the interest thereon have been paid, or a sufficient amount has been provided for their payment and continue to be held for that purpose, the Commission shall cease to charge tolls for the use of the project, and thereafter the project shall be free, provided that the Commission shall thereafter charge tolls for the use of the project in the event that tolls are required for maintaining, repairing, and operating the project due to the lack of funds from sources other than tolls.
1954, c. 693; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2213. Transfer to Commonwealth.Except as provided in this section, when all bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter in connection with the project and the interest thereon have been paid or a sufficient amount for the payment of all such bonds and the interest thereon to the maturity thereof has been set aside in trust for the benefit of the bondholders, the project, if then in good condition and repair, shall become a part of the primary state highway system and shall thereafter be maintained by the Commonwealth Transportation Board free of tolls. The Commission may, in any resolution or trust indenture authorizing or securing bonds under the provisions of this chapter, provide for combining the project and any public ferry service then being operated by the Commission for financing purposes, and for the continuance of tolls on the project and such public ferry service until all such bonds and the interest thereon have been paid or a sufficient amount for such purposes has been set aside in trust for the benefit of the bondholders.
1956, c. 714; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2214. Trust funds.All moneys received pursuant to the authority of this chapter, whether as proceeds from the sale of bonds or as revenues, shall be deemed to be trust funds to be held and applied solely as provided in this chapter. The resolution authorizing the bonds of any issue or the trust indenture securing such bonds shall provide that any officer with whom, or any bank or trust company with which, such moneys are deposited shall act as trustee of such moneys and shall hold and apply the moneys for the purposes provided in this chapter, subject to such regulations as this chapter and such resolution or trust indenture may provide.
1956, c. 714; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2215. Remedies.Any holder of bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter or any of the coupons appertaining thereto, and the trustee under any trust indenture, except to the extent the rights herein given may be restricted by such trust indenture or the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds, may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus, or other proceeding, protect and enforce any and all rights under the laws of the Commonwealth or granted hereunder or under such trust indenture or the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds, and may enforce and compel the performance of all duties required by this chapter or by such trust indenture or resolution to be performed by the Commission or by any officer thereof, including the fixing, charging, and collecting of tolls.
1956, c. 714; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2216. Governmental function; exemption from taxation.The exercise of the powers granted by this chapter will be in all respects for the benefit of the people of the Commonwealth and for the increase of their commerce and prosperity and is a public purpose, and as the operation and maintenance of the project will constitute the performance of essential governmental functions, the Commission shall not be required to pay any taxes or assessments upon the project or any property acquired by the Commission or under its jurisdiction, control, possession, or supervision, or upon its activities in the operation and maintenance of the project, or used by the Commission under the provisions of this chapter, or upon the income therefrom, and the bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter, their transfer, and the income therefrom, including any profit made on the sale thereof, shall at all times be free from all state and local taxation within the Commonwealth.
1956, c. 714; 2014, c. 805; 2015, c. 256.
§ 33.2-2217. Repealed.Repealed by Acts 2015, c. 256, cl. 9.
§ 33.2-2218. Bonds eligible for investment.Bonds issued by the District under the provisions of this chapter are hereby made securities in which all public officers and public bodies of the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions and all insurance companies, trust companies, banking associations, investment companies, executors, administrators, trustees, and other fiduciaries may properly and legally invest funds, including capital in their control or belonging to them. Such bonds are hereby made securities that may properly and legally be deposited with and received by any state or municipal officer or any agency or political subdivision of the Commonwealth for any purpose for which the deposit of bonds or obligations is or may be authorized by law.
1956, c. 714; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2219. Protection from competition.No franchise, right, or privilege shall be granted or authorized by the Commonwealth or by any political subdivision or court thereof for the acquisition, establishment, construction, maintenance, repair, or operation of any bridge or tunnel or bridge and tunnel facility from any point within the boundaries of the District to a point in the County of Northampton, except to the Commission so long as any bonds issued under this chapter remain outstanding or until provision is first made for the payment of the principal and the interest and the premium, if any, due and payable upon all such bonds, provided that such prohibition does not apply to any ferry that may be established for the exclusive transportation of railroad cars, or of railroad passengers holding through tickets, or to projects heretofore authorized under the Transportation Development and Revenue Bond Act (§ 33.2-1700 et seq.).
1956, c. 714; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2220. Miscellaneous; penalties.A. Any action taken by the Commission under the provisions of this chapter may be authorized by resolution at any regular or special meeting, and each such resolution shall take effect immediately and need not be published or posted.
B. The project when constructed and opened to traffic shall be maintained and kept in good condition and repair by the Commission. The project shall also be policed and operated by such force of police, toll-collectors, and other operating employees as the Commission may in its discretion employ.
C. All other police officers of the Commonwealth and of each locality or political subdivision of the Commonwealth through which any project, or portion thereof, extends shall have the same powers and jurisdiction within the limits of such projects as they have beyond such limits and shall have access to the project at any time for the purpose of exercising such powers and jurisdiction.
D. All private property damaged or destroyed by the construction of the project or any part thereof shall be restored or repaired and placed in its original condition as nearly as practicable or adequate compensation made therefor out of funds provided under the authority of this chapter.
E. On or before the last day of February in each year, the Commission shall make an annual report of its activities during the preceding calendar year to the Governor. In each report, the Commission shall set forth a complete operating and financial statement covering its operations during the year. The Commission shall cause an audit of its books and accounts to be made at least once in each year by certified public accountants, and the cost thereof may be treated as a part of the cost of construction or operation of the project. The records, books, and accounts of the Commission shall be subject to examination and inspection by duly authorized representatives of the Governor, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, the governing bodies of the political subdivisions constituting the District, and any bondholder at any reasonable time, provided the business of the Commission is not unduly interrupted or interfered with by such action.
F. Any member, agent, or employee of the Commission who contracts with the Commission or District or is interested, either directly or indirectly, in any contract with the Commission or District or in the sale of any property, either real or personal, to the District shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.
G. Any person who uses the project and fails or refuses to pay the toll provided therefor shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100 or by imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both. In addition, the Commission shall have a lien upon the vehicle driven by such person for the amount of such toll and may take and retain possession thereof until the amount of such toll and all charges in connection therewith shall have been paid.
1956, c. 714; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2221. Liberal construction.This chapter, being necessary for the welfare of the Commonwealth and its inhabitants, shall be liberally construed to effect the purposes thereof.
1956, c. 714; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2222. Repealed.Repealed by Acts 2015, c. 709, cl. 2.
Chapter 23. U.S. Route 58 Corridor Development Fund and Program.
§ 33.2-2300. U.S. Route 58 Corridor Development Fund.There is hereby created in the Department of the Treasury a special nonreverting fund that shall be a part of the Transportation Trust Fund and that shall be known as the U.S. Route 58 Corridor Development Fund, referred to in this chapter as "the Fund," consisting of the $40 million of annual collections from the Commonwealth Transportation Fund pursuant to § 33.2-1524. The Fund shall also include such other funds as may be appropriated by the General Assembly and designated for the Fund and all interest, dividends, and appreciation that may accrue thereto. Any moneys remaining in the Fund at the end of a biennium shall not revert to the general fund, but shall remain in the Fund. Allocations from the Fund may be paid to any authority, locality, or commission for the purposes specified in § 33.2-2301.
1989, c. 286, § 58.1-815; 2014, c. 805; 2015, c. 256; 2020, cc. 1230, 1275.
§ 33.2-2301. U.S. Route 58 Corridor Development Program.A. The General Assembly declares it to be in the public interest that the economic development needs and economic growth potential of south-central and Southwest Virginia be addressed by the Fund. Moneys contained in the Fund shall be used for the costs of providing an adequate, modern, safe, and efficient highway system, generally along Virginia's southern boundary (the Program), including environmental and engineering studies, rights-of-way acquisition, construction, improvements, and financing costs.
B. Allocations from the Fund shall be made annually by the Commonwealth Transportation Board for the creation and enhancement of a safe, efficient highway system connecting the communities, businesses, places of employment, and residents of the southwestern-most portion of the Commonwealth to the communities, businesses, places of employment, and residents of the southeastern-most portion of the Commonwealth, thereby enhancing the economic development potential, employment opportunities, mobility, and quality along such highway.
C. Allocations from the Fund shall not diminish or replace allocations made or planned to be made from other sources or diminish allocations to which any highway, project, facility, district, system, or locality would be entitled under other provisions of this title, but shall be supplemental to other allocations to the end that highway resource improvements in the U.S. Route 58 Corridor may be accelerated and augmented. Notwithstanding any contrary provisions of this title, allocations from the Fund may be applied to highway projects in the Interstate System, primary or secondary state highway system, or urban highway system. Allocations under this subsection shall not be limited to projects involving only existing U.S. Route 58 but may be made to projects involving other highways, provided that the broader goal of creation of an adequate modern highway system generally along Virginia's southern boundary is served thereby.
D. The Commonwealth Transportation Board may expend such funds from all sources as may be lawfully available to initiate the Program and to support bonds and other obligations referenced in subsection F. Any moneys expended from the Transportation Trust Fund for the Program, other than moneys contained in the Fund, may be reimbursed from the Fund, to the extent permitted by Article X, Section 9 of the Constitution of Virginia.
E. The Commonwealth Transportation Board is encouraged to utilize the existing four-lane divided highways, available rights-of-way acquired for additional four-laning, bypasses, connectors, and alternate routes.
F. To the extent permitted by Article X, Section 9 of the Constitution of Virginia, moneys contained in the Fund may be used to secure payment of bonds or other obligations, and the interest thereon, issued in furtherance of the purposes of this section. In addition, the Commonwealth Transportation Board is authorized to receive, dedicate, or use legally available Transportation Trust Fund revenues and any other available sources of funds to secure the payment of bonds or other obligations, including interest thereon, in furtherance of the Program. No bond or other obligations payable from revenues of the Fund shall be issued unless specifically approved by the General Assembly. No bond or other obligations, secured in whole or in part by revenues of the Fund, shall pledge the full faith and credit of the Commonwealth.
G. Forty million dollars shall be transferred annually to the Fund with the first such transfer to be made on July 1, 1990, or as soon thereafter as reasonably practicable. Such transfer shall be made by the issuance of a treasury loan at no interest in the amount of $40 million to the Fund to ensure that the Fund is fully funded on the first day of the fiscal year. Such treasury loan shall be repaid from the Commonwealth Transportation Fund pursuant to subsection C of § 33.2-1524. For each fiscal year following July 1, 1990, the Secretary of Finance is authorized to make additional treasury loans in the amount of $40 million on July 1 of such fiscal years, and such treasury loans shall be repaid in a like manner as provided in this subsection.
1989, c. 286, § 33.1-221.1:2; 2003, c. 302; 2014, c. 805; 2020, cc. 1230, 1275.
Chapter 24. Northern Virginia Transportation District Fund and Program.
§ 33.2-2400. Northern Virginia Transportation District Fund.A. There is hereby created in the Department of the Treasury a special nonreverting fund that shall be a part of the Transportation Trust Fund and that shall be known as the Northern Virginia Transportation District Fund, referred to in this chapter as "the Fund," consisting of transfers of $40 million from the Commonwealth Transportation Fund pursuant to subsection C of § 33.2-1524. The Fund shall also include any public rights-of-way use fees appropriated by the General Assembly; any state or local revenues, including any funds distributed pursuant to § 33.2-366, that may be deposited into the Fund pursuant to a contract between a jurisdiction participating in the Northern Virginia Transportation District Program and the Commonwealth Transportation Board; and any other funds as may be appropriated by the General Assembly and designated for the Fund and all interest, dividends, and appreciation that may accrue thereto. Any moneys remaining in the Fund at the end of a biennium shall not revert to the general fund, but shall remain in the Fund, subject to the determination by the Commonwealth Transportation Board that a Category 2, 3, or 4 project may be funded.
B. Allocations from the Fund may be paid (i) to any authority, locality, or commission for the purposes of paying the costs of the Northern Virginia Transportation District Program, which consists of the following: the Fairfax County Parkway, the Route 234 Bypass, Metrorail capital improvements attributable to Fairfax County including Metro parking expansions, Metrorail capital improvements including the Franconia-Springfield Metrorail Station and new rail car purchases, the Route 7 improvements in Loudoun County and Fairfax County, the Route 50/Courthouse Road interchange improvements in Arlington County, the Route 28/Route 625 interchange improvements in Loudoun County, Metrorail capital improvements attributable to the City of Alexandria including the King Street Metrorail Station access, Metrorail capital improvements attributable to Arlington County including Ballston Station improvements, the Route 15 safety improvements in Loudoun County, the Route 28 parallel roads in Loudoun County, the Route 28/Sterling Boulevard interchange in Loudoun County, the Route 1/Route 123 interchange improvements in Prince William County, the Lee Highway improvements in the City of Fairfax, the Route 123 improvements in Fairfax County, the Telegraph Road improvements in Fairfax County, the Route 123 Occoquan River Bridge, Gallows Road in Fairfax County, the Route 1/Route 234 interchange improvements in Prince William County, the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission bus replacement program, and the Dulles Corridor Enhanced Transit program and (ii) for Category 4 projects as provided in § 2 of the act or acts authorizing the issuance of Bonds for the Northern Virginia Transportation District Program.
C. On or before July 15, 1994, $19 million shall be transferred to the Fund. Such transfer shall be made by the issuance of a treasury loan at no interest in the amount of $19 million in the event such an amount is not included for the Fund in the general appropriation act enacted by the 1994 Session of the General Assembly. Such treasury loan shall be repaid from the Commonwealth Transportation Fund pursuant to subsection C of § 33.2-1524.
D. Beginning in fiscal year 2019, $20 million each year shall be transferred from the Fund to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Capital Fund established pursuant to § 33.2-3401.
E. Beginning in fiscal year 2021, $20 million each year shall be transferred from the Fund to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority Fund established pursuant to § 33.2-2509.
1993, c. 391, § 58.1-815.1; 1994, cc. 470, 597; 1998, cc. 740, 761; 1999, c. 538; 2002, c. 799; 2003, c. 337; 2005, c. 621; 2014, c. 805; 2015, c. 684; 2018, cc. 854, 856; 2020, cc. 1230, 1275.
§ 33.2-2401. Northern Virginia Transportation District Program.A. The General Assembly declares it to be in the public interest that the economic development needs and economic growth potential of Northern Virginia be addressed by a special transportation program to provide for the costs of providing an adequate, modern, safe, and efficient transportation network in Northern Virginia that shall be known as the Northern Virginia Transportation District Program (the Program), including environmental and engineering studies, rights-of-way acquisition, construction, improvements to all modes of transportation, and financing costs. The Program consists of the projects listed in clause (i) of subsection B of § 33.2-2400.
B. Allocations to the Program from the Fund shall be made annually by the Commonwealth Transportation Board for the creation and enhancement of a safe and efficient transportation system connecting the communities, businesses, places of employment, and residences of the Commonwealth, thereby enhancing the economic development potential, employment opportunities, mobility, and quality of life in the Commonwealth.
C. Except in the event that the Fund is insufficient to pay for the costs of the Program, allocations to the Program shall not diminish or replace allocations made from other sources or diminish allocations to which any district, system, or locality would be entitled under other provisions of this title but shall be supplemental to other allocations to the end that transportation improvements in the Northern Virginia Transportation District may be accelerated and augmented. Allocations under this subsection shall be limited to projects specified in subdivision 12 of § 33.2-1700.
D. The Commonwealth Transportation Board may expend such funds from all sources as may be lawfully available to initiate the Program and to support bonds and other obligations referenced in subsection E and in subsection D of § 33.2-2400.
E. The Commonwealth Transportation Board is authorized to receive, dedicate, or use (i) first from revenues received from the Fund; (ii) to the extent required, funds available for distribution after providing for subsection A of § 33.2-358; (iii) to the extent required, legally available revenues of the Transportation Trust Fund; and (iv) such other funds that may be appropriated by the General Assembly for the payment of bonds or other obligations, including interest thereon, issued in furtherance of the Program. No such bond or other obligations shall pledge the full faith and credit of the Commonwealth.
1993, c. 391, § 33.1-221.1:3; 1994, cc. 470, 597; 1998, cc. 740, 761; 1999, c. 538; 2002, c. 799; 2003, c. 337; 2005, c. 621; 2014, c. 805; 2018, cc. 854, 856; 2020, cc. 1230, 1275.
Chapter 25. Northern Virginia Transportation Authority.
§ 33.2-2500. Northern Virginia Transportation Authority created.There is hereby created a political subdivision of the Commonwealth known as the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, for purposes of this chapter referred to as "the Authority."
In addition to such other powers vested in the Authority by this chapter, the Authority shall have the following powers and functions:
1. The Authority shall prepare a regional transportation plan for Planning District 8 that includes transportation improvements of regional significance and those improvements necessary or incidental thereto and shall revise and amend the plan. The provisions of Article 7 (§ 33.2-1928 et seq.) of Chapter 19 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to preparation of such transportation plan.
2. The Authority shall evaluate all significant transportation projects, including highway, mass transit, and technology projects, in and near Planning District 8, to the extent that funds are available for such purpose. The evaluation shall provide an objective, quantitative rating for each project according to the degree to which the project is expected to reduce congestion and, to the extent feasible, the degree to which the project is expected to improve regional mobility in the event of a homeland security emergency. Such evaluation shall rely on analytical techniques and transportation modeling, including those that employ computer simulations currently and customarily employed in transportation planning. The Authority may rely on the results of transportation modeling performed by other entities, including the Department of Transportation and private entities contracted for this purpose, provided that such modeling is in accordance with this section. The Authority shall publicize the quantitative ratings determined for each project on its website and complete the evaluation at least once every four years, with interim progress reports provided on the website at least once every six months.
For purposes of this section, the significant transportation projects to be evaluated may include:
a. Projects included in the version of the Financially Constrained Long-Range Transportation Plan of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board in effect when the evaluation is made, plus additional projects in the plan adopted according to subdivision 1; and
b. Other highway, rail, bus, and technology projects that could make a significant impact on mobility in the region, including additional Potomac River crossings west and south of Washington, D.C.; extension of the Metro Orange Line, Metro Yellow Line, and Metro Blue Line; bus rapid transit on Interstate 66; vehicle capacity and mass transit improvements on the U.S. Route 1 corridor; and implementation of relevant portions of the Statewide Transportation Plan established pursuant to § 33.2-353.
3. The Authority may, when a transportation plan is adopted according to subdivision 1, construct or acquire, by purchase, lease, contract, or otherwise, the transportation facilities specified in such transportation plan.
4. The Authority may enter into agreements or leases with public or private entities for the operation of its facilities or may operate such facilities itself.
5. The Authority may enter into contracts or agreements with the counties and cities embraced by the Authority, with other transportation commissions of transportation districts adjoining any county or city embraced by the Authority, with any transportation authority, or with any federal, state, local, or private entity to provide, or cause to be provided, transportation facilities and services to the area embraced by the Authority. Such contracts or agreements, together with any agreements or leases for the operation of such facilities, may be used by the Authority to finance the construction and operation of transportation facilities and such contracts, agreements, or leases shall inure to the benefit of any creditor of the Authority.
Notwithstanding subdivisions 1 through 5, the Authority shall not have the power to regulate services provided by taxicabs, either within municipalities or across municipal boundaries; such regulation is expressly reserved to the municipalities within which taxicabs operate.
6. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Authority may:
a. Acquire land or any interest therein by purchase, lease, or gift and provide transportation facilities thereon for use in connection with any transportation service;
b. Acquire land or any interest therein by purchase, lease, or gift in advance of the need for sale or contribution to an agency, for use by that agency in connection with an adopted transportation plan; and
c. Prepare a plan for mass transportation services with persons, counties, cities, agencies, authorities, or transportation commissions and may further contract with any such person or entity to provide necessary facilities, equipment, operations and maintenance, access, and insurance pursuant to such plan.
2002, c. 846, § 15.2-4830; 2014, c. 805; 2019, c. 749.
§ 33.2-2501. Counties and cities embraced by the Authority.The Authority shall embrace the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William and the Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park.
2002, c. 846, § 15.2-4831; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2502. Composition of Authority; membership; terms.The Authority shall consist of 17 members as follows:
1. The chief elected officer of the governing body of each county and city embraced by the Authority or, in the discretion of the chief elected officer, his designee, who shall be a current elected officer of such governing body;
2. Two members who reside in different counties or cities embraced by the Authority, appointed by the Speaker of the House who may be from the membership of the House Committee on Appropriations, the House Committee on Finance, or the House Committee on Transportation;
3. One member of the Senate who resides in a county or city embraced by the Authority, appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules and, to the extent practicable, from the membership of the Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Transportation;
4. Two nonlegislative citizen members who reside in different counties or cities embraced by the Authority, appointed by the Governor. One such gubernatorial appointment shall be a member of the Commonwealth Transportation Board and one shall be a person who has significant experience in transportation planning, finance, engineering, construction, or management; and
5. The following three persons who shall serve as nonvoting ex officio members of the Authority: the Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, or his designee; the Commissioner of Highways, or his designee; and the chief elected officer of one town in a county embraced by the Authority to be chosen by the Authority.
All members of the Authority shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office, except that the gubernatorial appointee who is not a member of the Board shall serve for a term of four years. A vacancy occurring other than by expiration of a term shall be filled for the unexpired term. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. The Authority shall appoint a chairman and vice-chairman from among its members.
2002, c. 846, § 15.2-4832; 2004, c. 1000; 2008, c. 434; 2014, c. 805; 2018, Sp. Sess. I, c. 2.
§ 33.2-2503. Staff.The Authority shall employ a chief executive officer and such staff as it shall determine to be necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities under this chapter. No such person shall contemporaneously serve as a member of the Authority. The Department of Transportation and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall make their employees available to assist the Authority, upon request.
2002, c. 846, § 15.2-4833; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2504. Decisions of Authority.A majority of the Authority, which majority shall include at least a majority of the representatives of the counties and cities embraced by the Authority, shall constitute a quorum. Decisions of the Authority shall require a quorum and shall be in accordance with voting procedures established by the Authority. In all cases, decisions of the Authority shall require the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the Authority present and voting and two-thirds of the representatives of the counties and cities embraced by the Authority who are present and voting and whose counties and cities include at least two-thirds of the population embraced by the Authority; however, no motion to fund a specific facility or service shall fail because of this population criterion if such facility or service is not located or to be located or provided or to be provided within the county or city whose representative's sole negative vote caused the facility or service to fail to meet the population criterion. The population of counties and cities embraced by the Authority shall be the population as determined by the most recently preceding decennial census, except that once the population estimates for July 1 of the fifth year are made available then the population of each county and city shall be adjusted on the basis of population estimates made by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service of the University of Virginia.
2002, c. 846, § 15.2-4834; 2014, c. 805; 2016, cc. 224, 375.
§ 33.2-2505. Allocation of certain Authority expenses among component counties and cities.Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision C 1 of § 33.2-2510, the administrative and operating expenses of the Authority shall be provided in an annual budget adopted by the Authority, to the extent funds for such expenses are not provided from other sources, shall be paid from the Fund. Such budget shall be limited solely to the administrative and operating expenses of the Authority and shall not include any funds for construction or acquisition of transportation facilities or for the performance of any transportation service.
2002, c. 846, § 15.2-4835; 2014, c. 805; 2019, c. 749.
§ 33.2-2506. Payment to members of Authority.The members of the Authority may be paid for their services compensation in either (i) the amount provided in the general appropriation act for members of the General Assembly engaged in legislative business between sessions or (ii) a lesser amount as determined by the Authority. Members may be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825, if approved by the Authority. Funding for the costs of compensation and expenses of the members shall be provided by the Authority.
2002, c. 846, § 15.2-4836; 2004, c. 1000; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2507. Formation of advisory committees.A. The Authority shall have a technical advisory committee, consisting of nine individuals who reside or are employed in counties and cities embraced by the Authority and have experience in transportation planning, finance, engineering, construction, or management. Six members shall be appointed by localities embraced by the Authority and three members shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board. The technical advisory committee shall advise and provide recommendations on the development of projects as required by § 33.2-2508 and funding strategies and other matters as directed by the Authority.
B. The Authority also shall have a planning coordination advisory committee that shall include at least one elected official from each town that is located in any county embraced by the Authority and receives street maintenance payments under § 33.2-319.
C. The Authority may form additional advisory committees.
2002, c. 846, § 15.2-4837; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2508. Responsibilities of Authority for long-range transportation planning.In fulfilling the requirements of subdivision 1 of § 33.2-2500, the Authority shall be responsible for long-range transportation planning for regional transportation projects in Northern Virginia. In carrying out this responsibility, the Authority shall, on the basis of a regional consensus whenever possible, set regional transportation policies and priorities for regional transportation projects and, at least once every five years, shall consider for revision and revise as necessary the regional transportation plan. The policies and priorities shall have reducing congestion in Planning District 8 as their primary objective to the greatest extent practicable and shall be guided by performance-based criteria such as the ability to improve travel times, reduce delays, connect regional activity centers, improve safety, improve air quality, and move the most people in the most cost-effective manner. Any obstacles to achieving this objective shall be specified in writing, including any reason relating to the need for cooperation by any locality embraced by (i) the Authority, (ii) the District of Columbia, (iii) the State of Maryland, or (iv) any other regional entity in the metropolitan Washington area. Each locality embraced by the Authority shall annually inform the Authority about and the Authority shall annually publish on its website any land use or transportation elements of its comprehensive plan that are not consistent with the plan required by subdivision 1 of § 33.2-2500. No change in such comprehensive plan shall compel the Authority to alter the plan prepared according to this section.
2002, c. 846, § 15.2-4838; 2014, c. 805; 2015, cc. 477, 496; 2017, c. 351.
§ 33.2-2509. Northern Virginia Transportation Authority Fund.There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund for Planning District 8 to be known as the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority Fund, referred to in this chapter as "the Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All revenues dedicated to the Fund pursuant to §§ 33.2-2400, 58.1-638, and 58.1-802.4, any other funds that may be appropriated by the General Assembly, and any funds that may be received for the credit of the Fund from any other source shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund.
The amounts dedicated to the Fund pursuant to §§ 33.2-2400, 58.1-638, and 58.1-802.4 shall be deposited monthly by the Comptroller into the Fund and thereafter distributed to the Authority as soon as practicable for use in accordance with § 33.2-2510. If the Authority determines that such moneys distributed to it exceed the amount required to meet the current needs and demands to fund transportation projects pursuant to § 33.2-2510, the Authority may invest such excess moneys to the same extent as provided in subsection A of § 33.2-1525 for excess funds in the Transportation Trust Fund.
The amounts deposited into the Fund and the distribution and expenditure of such amounts shall not be used to calculate or reduce the share of federal, state, or local revenues otherwise available to participating jurisdictions. Further, such revenues and moneys shall not be included in any computation of, or formula for, a locality's ability to pay for public education, upon which appropriations of state revenues to local governments for public education are determined.
2013, c. 766, § 15.2-4838.01; 2014, c. 805; 2018, cc. 854, 856; 2020, cc. 1230, 1275.
§ 33.2-2510. Use of certain revenues by the Authority.A. All moneys received by the Authority and the proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to § 33.2-2511 shall be used by the Authority solely for transportation purposes benefiting those counties and cities that are embraced by the Authority.
B. 1. Except as provided in subdivision 2, 30 percent of the revenues received by the Authority under subsection A shall be distributed on a pro rata basis, with each locality's share being the total of such fee and taxes received by the Authority that are generated or attributable to the locality divided by the total of such fee and taxes received by the Authority. Of the revenues distributed pursuant to this subsection, as determined solely by the applicable locality, such revenues shall be used for additional urban or secondary highway construction, for other capital improvements that reduce congestion, for other transportation capital improvements that have been approved by the most recent long-range transportation plan adopted by the Authority, or for public transportation purposes. None of the revenue distributed by this subsection may be used to repay debt issued before July 1, 2013. Each locality shall create a separate, special fund in which all revenues received pursuant to this subsection and from the tax imposed pursuant to § 58.1-3221.3 shall be deposited. Each locality shall provide annually to the Authority sufficient documentation as required by the Authority showing that the funds distributed under this subsection were used as required by this subsection.
2. If a locality has not deposited into its special fund (i) revenues from the tax collected under § 58.1-3221.3 pursuant to the maximum tax rate allowed under that section or (ii) an amount, from sources other than moneys received from the Authority, that is equivalent to the revenue that the locality would receive if it was imposing the maximum tax authorized by § 58.1-3221.3, then the amount of revenue distributed to the locality pursuant to subdivision 1 shall be reduced by the difference between the amount of revenue that the locality would receive if it was imposing the maximum tax authorized by such section and the amount of revenue deposited into its special fund pursuant to clause (i) or (ii), as applicable. The amount of any such reduction in revenue shall be redistributed according to subsection C. The provisions of this subdivision shall be ongoing and apply over annual periods as determined by the Authority.
C. 1. The remaining 70 percent of the revenues received by the Authority under subsection A, plus the amount of any revenue to be redistributed pursuant to subsection B, shall be used by the Authority solely to fund transportation projects selected by the Authority that are contained in the regional transportation plan in accordance with subdivision 1 of § 33.2-2500 and that have been rated in accordance with subdivision 2 of § 33.2-2500. For only those regional funds received in fiscal year 2014, the requirement for rating in accordance with subdivision 2 of § 33.2-2500 shall not apply. The Authority shall give priority to selecting projects that are expected to provide the greatest congestion reduction relative to the cost of the project and shall document this information for each project selected. Such projects selected by the Authority for funding shall be located (i) only in localities embraced by the Authority or (ii) in adjacent localities but only to the extent that such extension is an insubstantial part of the project and is essential to the viability of the project within the localities embraced by the Authority.
2. Not less than 15 days prior to any decision by the Authority for the expenditure of funds pursuant to subdivision 1 for any project to create or improve any transportation facility, the Authority shall make the following publicly available: (i) the project evaluation pursuant to subdivision 2 of § 33.2-2500, (ii) the total amount of funds from the Authority to be used for the project, (iii) the total amount of funds from sources other than the Authority to be used for the project, and (iv) any other rating or scoring of other factors to be taken into account by the Authority related to each such transportation facility.
3. All transportation projects undertaken by the Authority shall be completed by private contractors accompanied by performance measurement standards, and all contracts shall contain a provision granting the Authority the option to terminate the contract if contractors do not meet such standards. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any locality may provide engineering services or right-of-way acquisition for any project with its own forces. The Authority shall avail itself of the strategies permitted under the Public-Private Transportation Act (§ 33.2-1800 et seq.) whenever feasible and advantageous. The Authority is independent of any state or local entity, including the Department and the Commonwealth Transportation Board, but the Authority, the Department, and the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall consult with one another to avoid duplication of efforts and, at the option of the Authority, may combine efforts to complete specific projects. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the request of the Authority, the Department may provide the Authority with engineering services or right-of-way acquisition for the project with its own forces.
4. With regard to the revenues distributed under subdivision 1, each locality's total long-term benefit shall be approximately equal to the proportion of the total of the fees and taxes received by the Authority that are generated by or attributable to the locality divided by the total of such fees and taxes received by the Authority.
D. For road construction and improvements pursuant to subsection B, the Department may, on a reimbursement basis, provide the locality with planning, engineering, right-of-way, and construction services for projects funded in whole by the revenues provided to the locality by the Authority.
2007, c. 896, § 15.2-4838.1; 2009, cc. 410, 556; 2013, c. 766; 2014, c. 805; 2015, c. 458; 2016, c. 225; 2019, c. 749.
§ 33.2-2511. Authority to issue bonds.The Authority may issue bonds and other evidences of debt as may be authorized by this section or other law. The provisions of Article 5 (§ 33.2-1920 et seq.) of Chapter 19 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the issuance of such bonds or other debt. The Authority may issue bonds or other debt in such amounts as it deems appropriate. The bonds may be supported by any funds available except that funds from tolls collected pursuant to subdivision 7 of § 33.2-2512 shall be used only as provided in that subdivision.
2002, c. 846, § 15.2-4839; 2007, c. 896; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2512. Other duties and responsibilities of Authority.In addition to other powers granted in this chapter, the Authority shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
1. Providing general oversight of regional programs involving mass transit or congestion mitigation, including carpooling, vanpooling, and ridesharing;
2. Providing long-range regional planning, both financially constrained and unconstrained;
3. Recommending to federal, state, and regional agencies regional transportation priorities, including public-private transportation projects and funding allocations;
4. Developing, in coordination with affected counties and cities, regional priorities and policies to improve air quality;
5. Allocating to priority regional transportation projects funds made available to the Authority and, at the discretion of the Authority, directly overseeing such projects;
6. Recommending to the Commonwealth Transportation Board priority regional transportation projects for receipt of federal and state funds;
7. Imposing, collecting, and setting the amount of tolls for use of facilities in the area embraced by the Authority, when the facility is either newly constructed or reconstructed solely with revenues of the Authority or solely with revenues under the control of the Authority in such a way as to increase the facility's traffic capacity, with the amount of tolls variable by time of day, day of the week, vehicle size or type, number of axles, or other factors as the Authority may deem proper, and with all such tolls to be used for programs and projects that are reasonably related to or benefit the users of the applicable facility, including for the debt service and other costs of bonds whose proceeds are used for such construction or reconstruction;
8. Providing general oversight of regional transportation issues of a multijurisdictional nature, including intelligent transportation systems, signalization, and preparation for and response to emergencies;
9. Serving as an advocate for the transportation needs of Northern Virginia before the state and federal governments;
10. Applying to and negotiating with the government of the United States, the Commonwealth, or any agency, instrumentality, or political subdivision thereof for grants and other funds available to carry out the purposes of this chapter and receiving, holding, accepting, and administering from any source gifts, bequests, grants, aid, or contributions of money, property, labor, or other things of value to be held, used, and applied to carry out the purposes of this chapter subject, however, to any condition upon which gifts, bequests, grants, aid, or contributions are made. Unless otherwise restricted by the terms of the gift, bequest, or grant, the Authority may sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of such money, securities, or other property given or bequeathed to it in furtherance of its purposes;
11. Acting as a "responsible public entity" for the purpose of the acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance, or operation, or any combination thereof, of a "qualifying transportation facility" under the Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995 (§ 33.2-1800 et seq.); and
12. Deciding on and voting to impose certain fees and taxes authorized under law for imposition or assessment by the Authority, provided that any such fee or tax assessed or imposed is assessed or imposed in all counties and cities embraced by the Authority. The revenues from such certain fees and taxes shall be kept in a separate account and shall be used only for the purposes provided in this chapter.
2002, c. 846, § 15.2-4840; 2007, c. 896; 2014, c. 805.
Chapter 26. Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission.
§ 33.2-2600. Hampton Roads Transportation Fund.There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund for Planning District 23 to be known as the Hampton Roads Transportation Fund, referred to in this chapter as "the Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All revenues dedicated to the Fund pursuant to § 58.1-638 and Chapter 22.1 (§ 58.1-2291 et seq.) of Title 58.1 shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. The moneys deposited in the Fund shall be used solely for (i) new construction projects on new or existing highways, bridges, and tunnels in the localities comprising Planning District 23 as approved by the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission and (ii) administrative and operating expenses as specified in subsection B of § 33.2-2605. The Commission shall give priority to those projects that are expected to provide the greatest impact on reducing congestion for the greatest number of citizens residing within Planning District 23 and shall ensure that the moneys shall be used for such construction projects.
The amounts dedicated to the Fund shall be deposited monthly by the Comptroller into the Fund and thereafter distributed to the Commission as soon as practicable for use in accordance with this chapter. If the Commission determines that such moneys distributed to it exceed the amount required to meet the current needs and demands to fund transportation projects pursuant to this chapter, the Commission may invest such excess moneys to the same extent and in the same manner as provided in subsection A of § 33.2-1525 for excess funds in the Transportation Trust Fund.
The amounts deposited into the Fund and the distribution and expenditure of such amounts shall not be used to calculate or reduce the share of federal, state, or local revenues otherwise available to participating localities. Further, such revenues and moneys shall not be included in any computation of, or formula for, a locality's ability to pay for public education, upon which appropriations of state revenues to local governments for public education are determined.
2013, c. 766, § 33.1-23.5:4; 2014, cc. 545, 678, 805; 2016, cc. 603, 608.
§ 33.2-2600.1. Hampton Roads Regional Transit Program and Fund.A. The General Assembly declares it to be in the public interest that developing and continuing operations of reliable regional public transportation is important for a balanced and effective multimodal transportation system in the Hampton Roads region and is essential to the region's economic growth, vitality, and competitiveness. The General Assembly further declares that a special transportation program, to be known as the Hampton Roads Regional Transit Program (the Program), should provide for the costs of developing, maintaining, and improving a core regional network of transit routes and related infrastructure, rolling stock, and support facilities that have the greatest positive impacts on economic development potential, employment opportunities, mobility, environmental sustainability, and quality of life. The goal of the Program is to provide a modern, safe, and efficient core network of transit services across the Hampton Roads region. The Program shall be incorporated into strategic plans developed pursuant to § 33.2-286 and adopted by the governing board of each transit entity and shall form the basis for the regional transit planning process coordinated by the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization.
B. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund for Planning District 23 to be known as the Hampton Roads Regional Transit Fund, referred to in this chapter as "the Regional Transit Fund." The Regional Transit Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All revenues dedicated to the Regional Transit Fund pursuant to §§ 58.1-802.5, 58.1-816, and 58.1-1743 shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Regional Transit Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Regional Transit Fund shall remain in the Regional Transit Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Regional Transit Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Regional Transit Fund.
C. The Regional Transit Fund shall be managed by the Commission, and disbursements from the Regional Transit Fund shall be approved by the Commission consistent with the regional transit planning process developed pursuant to subsection D of § 33.2-286. The moneys deposited in the Regional Transit Fund shall be used solely for (i) the development, maintenance, improvement, and operation of a core and connected regional network of transit routes and related infrastructure, rolling stock, and support facilities, to include the operation of a regional system of interjurisdictional, high-frequency bus service, in a transportation district in Hampton Roads created pursuant to § 33.2-1903 as included in the strategic plans and regional transit planning process developed pursuant to § 33.2-286 and (ii) administrative and operating expenses of the Commission as specified in subsection B of § 33.2-2605. In the allocation of funds, priority shall be given, when possible, to investments in the most sustainable and cost-effective operations, rolling stock, and facilities to reduce or eliminate reliance upon diesel fuels. Funds from the Regional Transit Fund shall not be used to support the expansion of light rail beyond the boundaries of a locality where light rail is operated on January 1, 2020. The amounts dedicated to the Regional Transit Fund shall be deposited monthly by the Comptroller into the Regional Transit Fund and thereafter distributed to the Commission as soon as practicable for use in accordance with this chapter. If the Commission determines that such moneys distributed to it exceed the amount required to meet the current needs and demands to fund transit projects pursuant to this chapter, the Commission may invest such excess moneys to the same extent and in the same manner as provided in subsection A of § 33.2-1525 for excess funds in the Transportation Trust Fund.
D. The amounts deposited into the Regional Transit Fund and the distribution and expenditure of such amounts shall not (i) be used to calculate or reduce the share of federal, state, or local revenues otherwise available to participating localities; (ii) allow a local government that is a member of the transportation district to reduce its local funding for public transportation purposes to an amount less than what was appropriated on July 1, 2019, for such purposes; or (iii) diminish or supplant allocations and appropriations from other sources or diminish allocations to which a transportation district, transit system, or locality would be entitled under any other provisions of law but shall supplement such funds to accelerate and augment transportation improvements in the Hampton Roads region. Further, such revenues and moneys shall not be included in any computation of, or formula for, a locality's ability to pay for public education, upon which appropriations of state revenues to local governments for public education are determined. Any amounts paid from the Regional Transit Fund shall be considered local funds when used to make a required match for state or federal transportation grant funds.
§ 33.2-2601. Commission created.The Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission, referred to in this chapter as "the Commission," is hereby created as a body politic and as a political subdivision of the Commonwealth. The Commission shall embrace each county and city located in Planning District 23, which is established pursuant to Chapter 42 (§ 15.2-4200 et seq.) of Title 15.2.
§ 33.2-2602. Composition of Commission.The Commission shall consist of 23 members as follows:
1. The chief elected officer of the governing body of each of the 10 cities embraced by the Commission;
2. A current elected official of each of the four counties embraced by the Commission, provided that such official (i) serves on the governing body of the county and (ii) has been appointed by resolution of such governing body to serve as the county's member on the Commission;
3. Three members of the House of Delegates who reside in different counties or cities embraced by the Commission, appointed by the Speaker of the House, and two members of the Senate who reside in different counties or cities embraced by the Commission, appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; and
4. The following four persons serving as nonvoting ex officio members of the Commission: a member of the Commonwealth Transportation Board who resides in a locality embraced by the Commission and is appointed by the Governor; the Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, or his designee; the Commissioner of Highways, or his designee; and the Executive Director of the Virginia Port Authority, or his designee.
All members of the Commission shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. If a member of the Commission who represents a locality as provided in subdivision 1 or 2 is unable to attend a meeting of the Commission, he may designate another current elected official of such governing body to attend a meeting of the Commission. Such designation shall be for the purposes of one meeting and shall be submitted in writing or electronically to the Chairman of the Commission at least 48 hours prior to the affected meeting.
The Commission shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its voting membership.
The Auditor of Public Accounts, or his legally authorized representatives, shall annually audit the financial accounts of the Commission, and the cost of such audit shall be borne by the Commission.
2014, cc. 545, 678; 2016, cc. 603, 608.
§ 33.2-2603. Staff.The Commission may employ a chief executive officer and such staff as it shall determine to be necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities under this chapter. No such person shall contemporaneously serve as a member of the Commission. The Department of Transportation and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall make their employees available to assist the Commission, upon request.
§ 33.2-2604. Decisions of Commission.A majority of the Commission, which majority shall include at least a majority of the total of chief elected officers and elected officials who represent the counties and cities embraced by the Commission, or their designees pursuant to § 33.2-2602, shall constitute a quorum. Decisions of the Commission shall require a quorum and shall be in accordance with voting procedures established by the Commission. In all cases, decisions of the Commission shall require the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the Commission, or their designees, present and voting, and two-thirds of the total of chief elected officers and elected officials who represent the counties and cities embraced by Planning District 23, or their designees, who are present and voting and whose counties and cities include at least two-thirds of the population embraced by the Commission; however, no motion to fund a specific facility or service shall fail because of this population criterion if such facility or service is not located or to be located or provided or to be provided within the county or city whose chief elected officer's or elected official's, or its respective designee's, sole negative vote caused the facility or service to fail to meet the population criterion. The population of counties and cities embraced by the Commission shall be the population as determined by the most recently preceding decennial census, except that on July 1 of the fifth year following such census, the population of each county and city shall be adjusted, based on population estimates made by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service of the University of Virginia.
2014, cc. 545, 678; 2015, c. 232; 2016, cc. 603, 608.
§ 33.2-2605. Annual budget and allocation of expenses.A. The Commission shall adopt an annual budget and develop a funding plan and shall provide for such adoption in its bylaws. The funding plan shall provide for the expenditure of funds over a four- to six-year period and shall align with the Statewide Transportation Plan established pursuant to § 33.2-353 as much as possible. The Commission shall solicit public comment on its budget and funding plan by posting a summary of such budget and funding plan on its website and holding a public hearing. Such public hearing shall be advertised on the Commission's website and in a newspaper of general circulation in Planning District 23.
B. The administrative and operating expenses of the Commission shall be provided in an annual budget adopted by the Commission. To the extent that funds for such expenses are not provided from other sources, the expenses shall be paid from the Fund and the Regional Transit Fund on an approximately pro rata basis of the programs supported by the Fund and the Regional Transit Fund. Such budget shall be limited solely to the administrative and operating expenses of the Commission and shall not include any funds for construction or acquisition of transportation facilities or the performance of any transportation service.
C. Members may be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825, if approved by the Commission. Funding for the costs of compensation and expenses of the members shall be provided by the Commission.
2014, cc. 545, 678; 2016, cc. 603, 608; 2020, cc. 1241, 1281.
§ 33.2-2606. Authority to issue bonds.The Commission may issue bonds and other evidences of debt as may be authorized by this section or other law. The provisions of Article 5 (§ 33.2-1920 et seq.) of Chapter 19 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the issuance of such bonds or other debt. The Commission may issue bonds or other debt in such amounts as it deems appropriate. The bonds may be supported by any funds available, except that funds from tolls collected pursuant to § 33.2-2607 shall be used only as provided in that section.
§ 33.2-2607. Powers of the Commission.Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this title and in accordance with all applicable federal statutes and requirements, the Commission shall control and operate and may impose and collect tolls in amounts established by the Commission for the use of any new or improved highway, bridge, or tunnel, to increase capacity on such facility or to address congestion within Planning District 23, constructed by the Commission (i) with federal, state, or local funds, (ii) solely with revenues of the Commission, or (iii) with revenues under the control of the Commission. The amount of any such toll may be varied from facility to facility, by lane, by congestion levels, by day of the week, by time of day, by type or size of vehicle, by number of axles, or by any similar combination thereof or any other factor the Commission may deem proper, and a reduced rate may be established for commuters as defined by the Commission. All such tolls shall be used for programs and projects that are reasonably related to or benefit the users of the new or improved highway, bridge, or tunnel, including, but not limited to, for the debt service and other costs of bonds whose proceeds are used for construction or improvement of such highway, bridge, or tunnel.
Any tolls imposed by the Commission shall be collected by an electronic toll system that, to the extent possible, shall not impede the traffic flow of the facility or prohibit a toll facility from retaining means of nonautomated toll collection in some lanes of the facility. For all facilities tolled by the Commission, there shall be signs erected prior to the point of toll collection that clearly state how the majority of the toll revenue is being spent by the Commission to benefit the users of the facility.
§ 33.2-2608. Additional powers of the Commission.A. The Commission shall have the following powers together with all powers incidental thereto or necessary for the performance of those hereinafter stated:
1. To sue and be sued and to prosecute and defend, at law or in equity, in any court having jurisdiction of the subject matter and of the parties;
2. To adopt and use a corporate seal and to alter the same at its pleasure;
3. To procure insurance, participate in insurance plans, and provide self-insurance; however, the purchase of insurance, participation in an insurance plan, or the creation of a self-insurance plan by the Commission shall not be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of any sovereign immunity to which the Commission or its officers, directors, employees, or agents are otherwise entitled;
4. To establish bylaws and make all rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, deemed expedient for the management of the Commission's affairs;
5. To apply for and accept money, materials, contributions, grants, or other financial assistance from the United States and agencies or instrumentalities thereof; the Commonwealth; and any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of the Commonwealth; and from any legitimate private source;
6. To acquire real and personal property or any interest therein by purchase, lease, gift, or otherwise for purposes consistent with this chapter and to hold, encumber, sell, or otherwise dispose of such land or interest for purposes consistent with this chapter;
7. To acquire by purchase, lease, contract, or otherwise, highways, bridges, or tunnels and to construct the same by purchase, lease, contract, or otherwise;
8. In consultation with the Commonwealth Transportation Board and with each city or county in which the facility or any part thereof is or is to be located, to repair, expand, enlarge, construct, reconstruct, or renovate any or all highways, bridges, and tunnels within Planning District 23 and to acquire any real or personal property needed for any such purpose;
9. To enter into agreements or leases with public or private entities for the operation and maintenance of bridges, tunnels, transit and rail facilities, and highways;
10. To make and execute contracts, deeds, mortgages, leases, and all other instruments and agreements necessary or convenient for the performance of its duties and the exercise of its powers and functions under this chapter;
11. To the extent funds are made or become available to the Commission to do so, to employ employees, agents, advisors, and consultants, including without limitation attorneys, financial advisers, engineers, and other technical advisers and, the provisions of any other law to the contrary notwithstanding, to determine their duties and compensation; and
12. To the extent not inconsistent with the other provisions of this chapter, and without limiting or restricting the powers otherwise given the Commission, to exercise all of the powers given to transportation district commissions by § 33.2-1919.
B. The Commission shall comply with the provisions governing localities contained in § 15.2-2108.23.
§ 33.2-2609. Commission a responsible public entity under Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995.The Commission is a responsible public entity as defined in § 33.2-1800 and shall be regulated in accordance with the terms of the Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995 (§ 33.2-1800 et seq.) and regulations and guidelines adopted pursuant thereto.
§ 33.2-2610. Continuing responsibilities of the Commonwealth Transportation Board and the Department of Transportation.Except as otherwise explicitly provided in this chapter, until such time as the Commission and the Department of Transportation, or the Commission and the Commonwealth Transportation Board, agree otherwise in writing, the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall allocate funding to and the Department of Transportation shall perform or cause to be performed all maintenance and operation of the bridges, tunnels, and roadways and shall perform such other required services and activities with respect to such bridges, tunnels, and roadways as were being performed on July 1, 2014.
§ 33.2-2611. Use of revenues by the Commission.Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, all moneys received by the Commission shall be used by the Commission solely for the benefit of those counties and cities that are embraced by the Commission, and such moneys shall be used by the Commission in a manner that is consistent with the purposes stated in this chapter.
§ 33.2-2612. Additional tolling authority of the Commission.A. For the purposes of this section, "the facility" means the vicinity of the interchange of Interstate 64 and Jefferson Avenue to the interchange of Interstate 64, Interstate 264, and Interstate 664.
B. The Commission shall, subject to the conditions provided in this section, have the authority to impose and collect tolls on high-occupancy toll lanes on Interstate 64 in the facility. The tolls shall be collected by an electronic toll system that, to the extent possible, shall not impede the traffic flow of the facility. The tolls authorized by this section may only be imposed on a portion of the facility that has been designated as high-occupancy toll lanes by the Board pursuant to § 33.2-502, and the amount of the tolls shall be varied by congestion level. All such tolls may be used for programs and projects that are reasonably related to or that benefit users of the facility and, without limiting the foregoing, may be used to pay the debt service on and related reserves and financing costs for, and pledged to support, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness the proceeds of which are or were used for construction or improvement of the facility.
C. Prior to the imposition of tolls pursuant to this section, the Commission shall enter into an agreement with the Board and the Department that (i) sets the standards for the operations of the facility, including the collection of tolls; (ii) addresses the use and application of toll revenues and toll-backed debt proceeds and the reimbursement of any funds expended by the Board or the Department to convert any portion of the facility from high-occupancy vehicle lanes to high-occupancy toll lanes, as these terms are defined in § 33.2-500; and (iii) contains such other provisions deemed appropriate and necessary to ensure the safe and efficient operations of the general purpose and high-occupancy toll lanes on any portion of the facility where the Commission intends to exercise the authority provided in subsection B.
2020, c. 703.
Chapter 27. Transportation District Within the City of Charlottesville and the County of Albemarle.
§ 33.2-2700. Definitions.As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Commission" means the governing body of the local transportation district created pursuant to this chapter.
"Cost" means all or any part of the cost of the following:
1. Acquisition, construction, reconstruction, alteration, landscaping, utilities, parking, conservation, remodeling, equipping, or enlarging of transportation improvements or any portion thereof;
2. Acquisition of land, rights-of-way, property rights, easements, and interests for construction, alteration, or expansion of transportation improvements;
3. Demolishing or relocating any structure on land so acquired, including the cost of acquiring any lands to which such structure may be relocated;
4. All labor, materials, machinery, and equipment necessary or incidental to the construction or expansion of a transportation improvement;
5. Financing charges, insurance, interest, and reserves for interest on all bonds prior to and during construction and, if deemed advisable by the commission, for a reasonable period after completion of such construction;
6. Reserves for principal and interest;
7. Reserves for extensions, enlargements, additions, replacements, renovations, and improvements;
8. Provisions for working capital;
9. Engineering and architectural expenses and services, including surveys, borings, plans, and specifications;
10. Subsequent addition to or expansion of any project and the cost of determining the feasibility or practicability of such construction;
11. Financing construction of, addition to, or expansion of transportation improvements and placing them in operation; and
12. Expenses incurred in connection with the creation of the district, not to exceed $150,000.
"District" means the district created pursuant to this chapter.
"District advisory board" or "advisory board" means the board appointed pursuant to this chapter.
"Federal agency" means the United States of America or any department, bureau, agency, or instrumentality thereof.
"Locality" means the City of Charlottesville or the County of Albemarle.
"Owner" or "landowner" means the person that has the usufruct, control, or occupation of the taxable real property as determined, pursuant to § 58.1-3281, by the commissioner of the revenue of the locality in which the subject real property is located.
"Revenue" means any or all fees, tolls, rents, receipts, assessments, taxes, money, and income derived by the district, including any cash contribution or payments made to the district by the Commonwealth, any political subdivision thereof, or any other source.
"Transportation improvements" means any real or personal property acquired, constructed, improved, or used in constructing or improving any highway, or portion or interchange thereof, including parking facilities located within a district created pursuant to this chapter. "Transportation improvements" includes public highways and all buildings, structures, approaches, and facilities thereof and appurtenances thereto, rights-of-way, bridges, tunnels, and all related equipment and fixtures.
2004, c. 966, § 33.1-447; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2701. Creation of district.A. A district may be created in the City of Charlottesville and the County of Albemarle by resolutions of such localities' governing bodies. Such resolutions shall be considered upon the petition to each governing body of a locality in which the proposed district by the owners of at least 51 percent of either the land area or the assessed value of land, in each locality that (i) is within the boundaries of the proposed district and (ii) has been zoned for commercial or industrial use or is used for such purposes.
B. The petition to the local governing bodies shall:
1. Set forth the name and describe the boundaries of the proposed district;
2. Describe the transportation improvements proposed within the district;
3. Propose a plan for providing such transportation improvements within the district and describe specific terms and conditions with respect to all commercial and industrial zoning classifications and uses, densities, and criteria related thereto that the petitioners request for the proposed district;
4. Describe the benefits that can be expected from the provision of such transportation improvements within the district; and
5. Request the local governing bodies to establish the proposed district for the purposes set forth in the petition.
C. Upon the filing of such a petition, each local governing body shall fix a day for a hearing on the question of whether the proposed district shall be created. The hearing shall consider whether the residents and owners of real property within the proposed district would benefit from the establishment of the proposed district. All interested persons who either reside in or own taxable real property within the proposed district shall have the right to appear and show cause why any property or properties should not be included in the proposed district. Such resolution shall be binding upon the local governing body with respect to the inclusion or exclusion of such properties within the proposed district. The petition shall comply with the provisions of this section with respect to minimum acreage or assessed valuation. Notice of the hearing shall be given by publication once a week for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation within the locality, with the first publication appearing no more than 21 days before the hearing.
D. If both local governing bodies find the creation of the proposed district would be in furtherance of their comprehensive plans for the development of the area, in the best interests of the residents and owners of real property within the proposed district, and in furtherance of the public health, safety, and welfare, both local governing bodies may pass resolutions that are reasonably consistent with the petition, creating the district and providing for the appointment of an advisory board in accordance with this chapter. The resolutions shall provide a description with specific terms and conditions of all commercial and industrial zoning classifications that shall be in force in the district upon its creation, together with all related criteria and a term of years, not to exceed 20 years, as to which each such zoning classification and each related criterion set forth therein shall remain in force within the district without elimination, reduction, or restriction, except (i) upon the written request or approval of the owner of any property affected by a change or (ii) as specifically required to comply with federal or state law.
Each resolution creating the district shall also provide (a) that the district shall expire 35 years from the date upon which the resolution is passed or (b) that the district shall expire when the district is abolished in accordance with § 33.2-2714. After the public hearing, each local governing body shall deliver a certified copy of its proposed resolution creating the district to the petitioning landowners or their attorneys-in-fact. Any petitioning landowner may then withdraw his signature on the petition, in writing, at any time prior to the vote of the local governing body. In the case where any signature on the petition is withdrawn, the local governing body may pass the proposed resolution only upon certification that the petition continues to meet the provisions of this section. After both local governing bodies have adopted resolutions creating the district, the district shall be established and the name of the district shall be "The Charlottesville-Albemarle Transportation Improvement District."
2004, c. 966, § 33.1-448; 2014, c. 805; 2023, cc. 506, 507.
§ 33.2-2702. Commission to exercise powers of the district.The powers of the district created pursuant to this chapter shall be exercised by a commission. The commission shall consist of two members of the governing body of each locality in the district, appointed by the respective local governing body. In addition to the appointed members, the Chairman of the Commonwealth Transportation Board or his designee shall be a member of the commission of the district created pursuant to this chapter.
The commission shall elect a chairman from its membership. The chairman may be the chairman or presiding officer of a local governing body. In addition, the commission, with the advice of the district advisory board, shall elect a secretary and a treasurer, who may be members or employees of any local governing body or other governmental body. The offices of secretary and treasurer may be combined. A majority of the commission members shall constitute a quorum, and a majority vote shall be necessary for any action taken by the commission. No vacancy in the membership of the commission shall impair the right of a majority of the members to form a quorum or to exercise all of its rights, powers, and duties.
2004, c. 966, § 33.1-449; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2703. Powers and duties of commission.The commission shall:
1. Construct, reconstruct, alter, improve, expand, make loans or otherwise provide financial assistance to, and operate transportation improvements in the district for the use and benefit of the public.
2. Acquire by gift, purchase, lease, in-kind contribution to construction costs, or otherwise transportation improvements in the district and sell, lease as lessor, transfer, or dispose of any part of transportation improvements in such manner and upon such terms as the commission may determine to be in the best interests of the district. However, prior to disposing of any such property or interest therein, the commission shall conduct a public hearing with respect to such disposition. At the hearing, the residents and owners of property within the district shall have an opportunity to be heard. At least 10 days' notice of the time and place of such hearing shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the district, as prescribed by the commission. Such public hearing may be adjourned from time to time.
3. Invite bids or request proposals from and contract with any person, as authorized by law, with regard to any matter necessary and proper to provide transportation improvements, including the financing, acquisition, construction, reconstruction, alteration, improvement, expansion, or maintenance of transportation improvements in the district.
4. Enter into a continuing service contract for a purpose authorized by this chapter and make payments of the proceeds received from the special taxes levied pursuant to this chapter, together with any other revenues, for installments due under that service contract. The district may apply such payments annually during the term of that service contract in an amount sufficient to make the installment payments due under that contract, subject to the limitation imposed by this chapter. However, payments for any such service contract shall be conditioned upon the receipt of services pursuant to the contract. Such a contract shall not obligate a locality to make payments for services of the district.
5. Accept the allocations, contributions, or funds of any available source or reimburse from any available source, including any person, for the whole or any part of the costs, expenses, and charges incident to the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, maintenance, alteration, improvement, and expansion of any transportation improvements in the district.
6. Contract for the extension and use of any highway into territory outside the district on such terms and conditions as the commission determines.
7. Employ and fix the compensation of personnel who may be deemed necessary for the construction, operation, or maintenance of any transportation improvements in the district.
8. Have prepared an annual audit of the district's financial obligations and revenues, and, upon review of such audit, request a tax rate adequate to provide tax revenues that, together with all other revenues, are required by the district to fulfill its annual obligations.
2004, c. 966, § 33.1-452; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2704. District advisory board.Within 30 days after the establishment of the district under this chapter, the governing body from each locality within which any portion of the district is located shall appoint six members to a district advisory board. Three of the six members from each locality shall be chosen by the local governing body from nominations submitted to the local governing body by the petitioners. All members shall own or represent commercially or industrially zoned land within the district. Each member shall be appointed for a term of four years, except the initial appointment of advisory board members shall provide that the terms of three of the members shall be for two years. If a vacancy occurs with respect to an advisory board member initially appointed by a local governing body, or any successor of such a member, the local governing body shall appoint a new member who is a representative or owner of commercially or industrially zoned property within the local district. If a vacancy occurs with respect to an advisory board member initially nominated by the petitioners, or any successor thereof, the remaining advisory board members initially nominated by the petitioners, or their successors, shall nominate a new member for selection by the local governing body.
District advisory board members shall serve without pay, but the local governing body shall provide the advisory board with facilities for the holding of meetings, and the commission shall appropriate funds needed to defray the reasonable expenses and fees of the advisory board, which shall not exceed $20,000 annually, including expenses and fees arising out of the preparation of the annual report. Such appropriations shall be based on an annual budget submitted by the advisory board, and approved by the commission, sufficient to carry out its responsibilities under this chapter. The advisory board shall elect a chairman and a secretary and such other officers as it deems necessary. The advisory board shall fix the time for holding regular meetings and shall meet at least once every year. Special meetings of the advisory board shall be called by the chairman or by two members of the advisory board upon written request to the secretary of the advisory board. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.
The advisory board shall present an annual report to the commission on the transportation needs of the district and on the activities of the advisory board, and the advisory board shall present special reports on transportation matters as requested by the commission or the local governing body concerning taxes to be levied pursuant to this chapter.
2004, c. 966, § 33.1-451; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2705. Annual special improvements tax; use of revenues.Upon the written request of the commission made concurrently to the local governing body or bodies pursuant to this chapter, each local governing body may levy and collect an annual special improvements tax on taxable real estate zoned for commercial or industrial use or used for such purposes and taxable leasehold interests in the portion of the improvement district that is within its jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 4 (§ 58.1-3229 et seq.) of Chapter 32 of Title 58.1, the tax shall be levied on the assessed fair market value of the taxable real property. The rate of the special improvements tax, when combined with all other special taxes in this Code of any kind imposed on land within the district, shall not be more than 25 cents ($0.25) per $100 of the assessed fair market value of any taxable real estate or the assessable value of taxable leasehold property as specified by § 58.1-3203; however, if all the owners in any district so request in writing, this limitation on rate shall not apply. Such special improvements taxes shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner as the locality's taxes are collected and the proceeds shall be kept in a separate account. The effective date of the initial assessment shall be January 1 of the year following adoption of the resolution creating the district. All revenues received by each locality pursuant to such taxes shall be paid to or at the direction of the district commission for its use pursuant to this chapter.
2004, c. 966, § 33.1-453; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2706. Agreements with Commonwealth Transportation Board; payment of special improvements tax to Transportation Trust Fund.A. The district may contract with the Commonwealth Transportation Board for the Commonwealth Transportation Board to perform any purpose of the district.
The district may agree by contract to pay all or a portion of the special improvements tax to the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
Prior to executing any such contract, the district shall seek the agreement of each local governing body creating the district that the locality's officer charged with the responsibility for preparing the locality's annual budget shall submit in the budget for each fiscal year in which any Commonwealth of Virginia Transportation Contract Revenue Bonds issued for such district are outstanding, all amounts to be paid to the Commonwealth Transportation Board under such contract during such fiscal year.
If the amount required to be paid to the Commonwealth Transportation Board under the contract is not so paid for a period of 60 days after such amount is due, the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall, until such amount has been paid, withhold sufficient funds from funds appropriated and allocated, pursuant to Article 5 (§ 33.2-351 et seq.) of Chapter 3, to the highway construction district in which the transportation improvements covered by such contract are located or to such locality in which such transportation improvements are located and to use such funds to satisfy the contractual requirements.
B. While nothing in this chapter shall limit the authority of any locality to change the classification of property zoned for commercial or industrial use or used for such purpose upon the written request or approval of the owner of any property affected by such change after the effective date of any such contract, should a change in zoning classification so requested result in a shortfall in the total annual revenues from the imposition of the special improvements tax and the payments required to be made to the Commonwealth Transportation Board pursuant to the contract, the district shall request the local governing body to increase the rate of such tax by such amount up to the maximum authorized rate as may be necessary to prevent such shortfall. If, however, a deficit remains after any rezoning and adjustment of the tax rate or the rate is at the maximum authorized rate and cannot be increased, then the amount of funds otherwise appropriated and allocated, pursuant to the highway allocation formula as provided by law, to the highway construction district in which the project covered by such contract is located or to such county in which such project is located shall be reduced by the amount of such deficit and used to satisfy the deficit.
2004, c. 966, § 33.1-454; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2707. Jurisdiction of localities and officers, etc., not affected.Neither the creation of a district nor any other provision in this chapter shall affect the power, jurisdiction, or duties of the respective local governing bodies; sheriffs; treasurers; commissioners of the revenue; circuit, district, or other courts; clerks of any court; magistrates; or any other state or local officer in regard to the area embraced in any district, or restrict or prevent any locality, town, or its governing body from imposing and collecting taxes or assessments for public improvements as permitted by law. Any locality that creates a district pursuant to this chapter may obligate itself with respect to the zoning ordinances, zoning ordinance text, and regulations relating thereto for all commercial and industrial classifications within the district as provided in this chapter for a term not to exceed 20 years from the date on which such district is created.
2004, c. 966, § 33.1-455; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2708. Allocation of funds to districts.The governing body of either locality in which a district has been created pursuant to this chapter may advance funds or provide matching funds from money not otherwise specifically allocated or obligated. Such funds may be received or generated from whatever source, including general revenues, special fees and assessments, state allocations, and contributions from private sources to a local district to assist the local district to undertake the transportation improvements for which it was created. To assist the district with an approved transportation improvement, the Commonwealth Transportation Board may allocate to a district created pursuant to this chapter only funds allocated, pursuant to Article 5 (§ 33.2-351 et seq.) of Chapter 3, and subsection A of § 58.1-638, to the highway construction districts and localities in which such transportation district is located.
2004, c. 966, § 33.1-456; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2709. Reimbursement for advances to district.To the extent that a locality has made advances to the district, the commission shall direct the district treasurer to reimburse the locality from district funds not otherwise specifically allocated or obligated.
2004, c. 966, § 33.1-457; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2710. Cooperation between districts and other political subdivisions.Any district created pursuant to this chapter may enter into agreements with counties, cities, towns, or other political subdivisions of the Commonwealth for joint or cooperative action in accordance with the authority contained in § 15.2-1300.
2004, c. 966, § 33.1-458; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2711. Tort liability.No pecuniary liability of any kind shall be imposed upon the Commonwealth or any locality or landowner therein because of any act, agreement, contract, tort, malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance by or on the part of a district or its agents, servants, or employees.
2004, c. 966, § 33.1-459; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2712. Approval by Commonwealth Transportation Board.The district may not construct or improve a transportation improvement without the approval of both the Commonwealth Transportation Board and the locality in which the transportation improvement will be located. At the request of the commission, the Commissioner of Highways may exercise the powers of condemnation provided in Chapter 2 (§ 25.1-200 et seq.) of Title 25.1, Article 1 (§ 33.2-1000 et seq.) of Chapter 10, or § 33.2-705, for the purpose of acquiring property for transportation improvements within the district.
Upon completion of such construction or improvement, the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall take any affected public highway into the appropriate state highway system for purposes of maintenance and subsequent improvements as necessary. Upon acceptance by the Commonwealth of such highway into a state highway system, all rights, title, and interest in the rights-of-way and improvements of any affected highway shall vest in the Commonwealth. Upon completion of construction or improvement of a mass transit system, all rights, title, and interest in the rights-of-way and improvements of such mass transit system shall vest in an agency or instrumentality of the Commonwealth designated by the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
2004, c. 966, § 33.1-460; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2713. Enlargement of district.The district shall be enlarged by resolution of the governing body of the locality upon the petitions of the district commission and the owners of at least 51 percent of either the land area or assessed value of land of the district within each locality, and the owners of at least 51 percent of either the land area or assessed value of land located within the territory sought to be added to the district. However, any such territory shall be contiguous to the existing district. The petition shall present the information required by § 33.2-2001. Upon receipt of such a petition, the locality shall use the standards and procedures provided in § 33.2-2001, except that the residents and owners of both the existing district and the area proposed for the enlargement shall have the right to appear and show cause why any property should not be included in the proposed district.
If the local governing body finds the enlargement of a local district would be in accordance with the applicable comprehensive plan and transportation improvement program for the development of the area, in the best interests of the residents and owners of the property within the proposed district, and in furtherance of the public health, safety, and general welfare, and if the local governing body finds that enlargement of the district does not limit or adversely affect the rights and interests of any party that has contracted with the district, the governing body of a locality may pass a resolution providing for the enlargement of the district.
2004, c. 966, § 33.1-461; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2714. Abolition of local transportation districts.A. Any district created pursuant to this chapter may be abolished by resolutions passed by each local governing body within whose locality any portion of the district lies, upon the joint petition of the commission and the owners of at least 51 percent of the land area located within the district in each locality. Joint petitions shall:
1. State whether the purposes for which the district was formed have been substantially achieved;
2. State whether all obligations incurred by the district have been fully paid;
3. Describe the benefits that can be expected from the abolition of the district; and
4. Request each affected local governing body to abolish the district.
B. Upon receipt of such a petition, each local governing body, in considering the abolition of the district, shall use the standards and procedures described in § 33.2-2001 mutatis mutandis, except that all interested persons who either reside on or own real property within the boundaries of the district shall have the right to appear and show cause why the district should not be abolished.
C. If each local governing body finds that (i) the abolition of the district is in accordance with the applicable locality's comprehensive plan for the development of the area; (ii) the abolition of the district is in the best interests of the residents and owners of the property within the district; (iii) the abolition of the district is in furtherance of the public health, safety, and welfare; and (iv) all debts of the district have been paid and the purposes of the district either have been, or should not be, fulfilled or finds that each local governing body with the approval of the voters of each locality has agreed to assume the debts of the district, then each local governing body may pass a resolution abolishing the district and the district advisory board. Upon abolition of the district, the title to all funds and properties owned by the district at the time of such dissolution shall vest in the locality in which the district or portion thereof was located.
2004, c. 966, § 33.1-462; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2715. Chapter to constitute complete authority for acts authorized; liberal construction.This chapter shall constitute complete authority for the district to take the actions authorized in this chapter. This chapter, being necessary for the welfare of the Commonwealth and its inhabitants, shall be liberally construed to effect its purposes. Any court test concerning the validity of any bonds that may be issued for transportation improvements made pursuant to this chapter may be determined pursuant to Article 6 (§ 15.2-2650 et seq.) of Chapter 26 of Title 15.2.
2004, c. 966, § 33.1-463; 2014, c. 805.
Chapter 28. Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional Transit Authority.
§ 33.2-2800. Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional Transit Authority created.There is hereby created a political subdivision of the Commonwealth known as the Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional Transit Authority, for purposes of this chapter referred to as "the Authority."
2009, c. 645, § 15.2-7023; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2801. Powers of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional Transit Authority.The Authority is hereby granted all powers necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this chapter, including the power and authority to:
1. Prepare a regional transit plan for all or a portion of the areas located within the boundaries of each member locality. The regional transit plan may include all or portions of those areas within the City of Charlottesville and the County of Albemarle, shall include transit improvements of regional significance and those improvements necessary or incidental thereto, and shall be revised and amended;
2. When a transit plan is adopted according to subdivision 1, construct or acquire, by purchase, lease, contract, or otherwise, the transit facilities specified in such transit plan;
3. Make, assume, and enter into all contracts, agreements, arrangements, and leases with public or private entities as the Authority may determine are necessary or incidental to the operation of its facilities or to the execution of the powers granted by this chapter or may operate such facilities itself;
4. Enter into contracts or agreements with the counties and cities embraced by the Authority, with other transit commissions of transportation districts adjoining any county or city embraced by the Authority, with any transportation authority, or with any federal, state, local, or private entity to provide, or cause to be provided, transit facilities and services to the area embraced by the Authority. Such contracts or agreements, together with any agreements or leases for the operation of such facilities, may be used by the Authority to finance the construction and operation of transit facilities, and such contracts, agreements, or leases shall inure to the benefit of any creditor of the Authority;
5. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary:
a. Acquire land or any interest therein by purchase, lease, or gift and provide transit facilities thereon for use in connection with any transit service; and
b. Prepare a plan for mass transit services with persons, counties, cities, agencies, authorities, or transportation commissions and contract with any such person or other entity to provide necessary facilities, equipment, operations and maintenance, access, and insurance pursuant to such plan;
6. Adopt, amend, or repeal bylaws, rules, and regulations not inconsistent with this chapter or the general laws of the Commonwealth for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business and carry into effect its powers and purposes;
7. Adopt an official seal and alter it;
8. Maintain an office at such place or places as it designates;
9. Sue and be sued;
10. Determine and set fees, rates, and charges for transit services;
11. Establish retirement, group life insurance, and group accident and sickness insurance plans or systems for its employees in the same manner as localities are permitted under §§ 51.1-801 and 51.1-802;
12. Provide by resolution for the issuance of revenue bonds of the Authority for the purpose of paying the whole or any part of the cost of operating any transit system. Revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter shall not constitute a pledge of the faith and credit of the Commonwealth or of any political subdivision. All bonds shall contain a statement on their face substantially to the effect that neither the faith and credit of the Commonwealth nor the faith and credit of any political subdivision are pledged to the payment of the principal of or the interest on the bonds. The issuance of revenue bonds under the provisions of this chapter shall neither directly nor indirectly nor contingently obligate the Commonwealth or any political subdivision to levy any taxes or to make any appropriation for their payment except from the funds pledged under the provisions of this chapter;
13. Appoint, employ, or engage such officers, employees, architects, engineers, attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, investment bankers, and other advisors, consultants, and agents as may be necessary or appropriate and pay compensation and fix their duties; and
14. Contract with any participating political subdivision for such subdivision to provide legal services; engineering services; depository and accounting services, including an annual independent audit; and procurement of goods and services and act as fiscal agent for the Authority.
2009, c. 645, § 15.2-7024; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2802. Counties and cities initially embraced by the Authority.The Authority shall initially embrace the City of Charlottesville and all or such portions of the County of Albemarle as its governing body desires to have included. The City of Charlottesville and the County of Albemarle shall be the initial members of the Authority upon adoption of an approving ordinance or resolution by each of their respective governing bodies.
2009, c. 645, § 15.2-7025; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2803. Joinder of other counties, agencies, institutions, and facilities.The Counties of Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson may join the Authority, and the Authority shall embrace all or such portions as the governing body of each county desires to have covered. Additionally, private nonprofit tourist-driven agencies, higher education facilities of the Charlottesville-Albemarle area, and public transportation agencies serving such counties may join the Authority. The governing body of any county, agency, institution, or facility wishing to join the Authority and the governing bodies of the localities, agencies, institutions, and facilities then members of the Authority shall by concurrent resolution or ordinance or by agreement provide for the joinder of such county, agency, institution, or facility.
2009, c. 645, § 15.2-7026; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2804. Governance of Authority; composition; terms.The Authority shall be governed by a board of directors, for purposes of this chapter referred to as the "Authority Board," which shall consist of the following:
1. Two directors representing the County of Albemarle, each of whom shall be a member of the governing body of the county;
2. Two directors representing the City of Charlottesville, each of whom shall be a member of the governing body of the city;
3. One director representing each county that joins the Authority pursuant to § 33.2-2803, each of whom shall be a member of the governing body of each respective county; and
4. Up to four additional directors, who shall be nonvoting, representing the interests of such agencies, institutions, and facilities described in § 33.2-2803 that join the Authority.
All members of the Authority Board shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.
The Authority Board shall appoint a chair and vice-chair from among its members.
2009, c. 645, § 15.2-7027; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2805. Staff.The Authority shall employ an executive director and such staff as it shall determine to be necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities under this chapter. No such person shall contemporaneously serve as a director of the Authority Board. The Department of Transportation and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall make their employees available to assist the Authority, upon request.
2009, c. 645, § 15.2-7028; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2806. Decisions of Authority.A majority of the Authority Board shall constitute a quorum. Decisions of the Authority Board shall require a quorum and shall be in accordance with voting procedures established by the Authority.
2009, c. 645, § 15.2-7029; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2807. Allocation of certain Authority expenses.The administrative expenses of the Authority, as provided in an annual budget adopted by the Authority, to the extent funds for such expenses are not provided from other sources, shall be allocated among the participating counties, city, agencies, institutions, and facilities pursuant to a funding formula as duly adopted by the Authority.
2009, c. 645, § 15.2-7030; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2808. Payment to directors of the Authority Board.The directors of the Authority Board may be paid for their services in either (i) the amount provided in the general appropriation act for members of the General Assembly engaged in legislative business between sessions or (ii) a lesser amount as determined by the Authority. Directors of the Authority Board may be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses as provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825, if approved by the Authority. Funding for the costs of compensation and expenses of the directors of the Authority Board shall be provided by the Authority.
2009, c. 645, § 15.2-7031; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2809. Formation of advisory committees.The Authority may form advisory committees to assist the Authority.
2009, c. 645, § 15.2-7032; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2810. Other duties and responsibilities of Authority.In addition to other powers granted in this chapter, the Authority shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
1. Providing general oversight of Charlottesville-Albemarle area programs involving mass transit or congestion mitigation;
2. Providing long-range transit planning in the Charlottesville-Albemarle area, both financially constrained and unconstrained;
3. Recommending to federal, state, and regional agencies regional transit priorities, including public-private transit projects and funding allocations;
4. Allocating to priority regional transit projects any funds made available to the Authority and, at the discretion of the Authority, directly overseeing such projects;
5. Recommending to the Commonwealth Transportation Board priority regional transit projects for receipt of federal and state funds;
6. Serving as an advocate for the transit needs of the Charlottesville-Albemarle area before the federal and state governments; and
7. Applying to and negotiating with the government of the United States, the Commonwealth, or any agency or instrumentality thereof for grants and any other funds available to carry out the purposes of this chapter and receiving, holding, accepting, and administering from any source gifts, bequests, grants, aid, or contributions of money, property, labor, or other things of value to be held, used, and applied to carry out the purposes of this chapter subject, however, to any condition upon which gifts, bequests, grants, aid, or contributions are made. Unless otherwise restricted by the terms of the gift, bequest, or grant, the Authority may sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of such money, securities, or other property given or bequeathed to it in furtherance of its purposes.
2009, c. 645, § 15.2-7033; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2811. Withdrawal from the Authority.A member of the Authority may withdraw from the participation in and the obligations of the Authority by a resolution or an ordinance of its governing body, and pursuant to such conditions and procedures adopted by the Authority. However, if the Authority has any outstanding bonds or other debt, no member may withdraw from the Authority without the unanimous consent of all the holders of such bonds unless such bonds have been paid or cashed or United States government obligations have been deposited for their payment.
2009, c. 645, § 15.2-7034; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2812. Dissolution of the Authority.Whenever the Authority Board by resolution determines that the purposes for which the Authority was formed have been substantially complied with and all bonds issued and all obligations incurred by the Authority have been fully paid or adequate provisions have been made for the payment, the Authority Board shall execute and file for record with the participating localities, agencies, institutions, and facilities a resolution declaring such facts and providing for the disposition of the Authority assets, consistent with applicable state and federal law. If the participating localities, agencies, institutions, and facilities are of the opinion that the facts stated in the Authority's resolution are true and the Authority should be dissolved, they shall so resolve and the Authority shall stand dissolved as of the date on which the last participating locality, agency, institution, or facility adopts such resolution.
2009, c. 645, § 15.2-7035; 2014, c. 805.
Chapter 29. Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
§ 33.2-2900. Definitions.As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Authority" means the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority created by § 33.2-2901 or, if the Authority is abolished, the board, body, commission, or agency succeeding to the principal functions thereof or on whom the powers given by this chapter to the Authority are conferred by law, but shall not include the City of Richmond or the Counties of Chesterfield and Henrico.
"Authority facility" means all facilities purchased, constructed, or otherwise acquired by the Authority pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and all extensions and improvements thereof.
"Bonds" or "revenue bonds" means revenue bonds or revenue refunding bonds of the Authority issued under the provisions of this chapter.
"Cost," as applied to any project, includes the cost of construction, landscaping, and conservation; the cost of acquisition of all land, rights-of-way, property, rights, easements, and interests acquired by the Authority for such construction, landscaping, and conservation; the cost of demolishing or removing any buildings or structures on land so acquired, including the cost of acquiring any lands to which such buildings or structures may be moved; the cost of all machinery and equipment; the cost of financing charges and interest prior to and during construction and for a period of time after completion of construction as deemed advisable by the Authority; the cost of traffic estimates and of engineering and legal services, plans, specifications, surveys, estimates of cost and of revenues, and other expenses necessary or incident to determining the feasibility or practicability of constructing the project; the cost of administrative expenses; and the cost of payments to the Department or others for services during the period of construction, initial working capital, debt service reserves, and such other expenses as may be necessary or incident to the construction of the project, the financing of such construction, and the placing of the project in operation. Any obligation or expense incurred by the Commonwealth Transportation Board or by the City of Richmond or the County of Henrico or Chesterfield, before or after the effective date of this chapter, for surveys, engineering, borings, plans and specifications, legal and other professional and technical services, reports, studies, and data in connection with the construction of a project shall be repaid or reimbursed by the Authority and the amounts thereof shall be included as a part of the cost of the project.
"Limited access highway" means a highway specially designed for through traffic over or to which owners or occupants of abutting property or other persons have no easement of or right to light, air, view, or access by reason of the fact that their property abuts upon such highway, and access to which highway is controlled by the Authority, the Commonwealth, the City of Richmond, the County of Henrico, or the County of Chesterfield so as to give preference to through traffic by providing access connections with selected public highways only and by prohibiting crossings at grade or direct private driveway connections.
"Owner" includes all individuals, partnerships, associations, organizations, and corporations, the City of Richmond, the County of Henrico, the County of Chesterfield, and all public agencies and instrumentalities having any title to or interest in any property, rights, easements, and interests authorized to be acquired by this chapter.
"Project" means any single facility constituting an Authority facility, as described in the resolution or trust agreement providing for its construction, including extensions and improvements thereof.
"Public highways" shall include public highways, roads, and streets, whether maintained by the Commonwealth or the City of Richmond or the County of Henrico or Chesterfield.
"Revenues" means all fees, tolls, rents, rates, receipts, moneys, and income derived by the Authority through the ownership and operation of Authority facilities, and includes all cash contributions made to the Authority by the Commonwealth or any agency or department thereof, the City of Richmond, and the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield not specifically dedicated by the contributor for a capital improvement.
2009, c. 471, § 15.2-7000; 2014, cc. 469, 805.
§ 33.2-2901. Creation of the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority.There is hereby created a political subdivision and public body corporate and politic of the Commonwealth to be known as the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority, to be governed by a board of directors consisting of 16 members appointed as follows: five members to be appointed by the Board of Supervisors of Chesterfield County for terms of four years from the date of appointment; five members to be appointed by the Board of Supervisors of Henrico County for terms of four years from the date of appointment; four members to be appointed by the Mayor of the City of Richmond with the approval of the City Council of the City of Richmond (Council) for terms of four years from the date of appointment; one member of the Council appointed by the president of the Council for a term of four years from the date of appointment; and one ex officio member from the Commonwealth Transportation Board to be appointed by the Commissioner of Highways. Any of the three localities may, in its discretion, appoint as one of its Board members an elected officeholder who is a member of the governing body of that locality. Vacancies in the membership of the board of directors shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the unexpired portion of the term. The board of directors so appointed shall enter upon the performance of its duties and shall initially and annually elect a chairman and a vice-chairman from its membership and shall also elect annually a secretary or secretary-treasurer, who need not be a member of the board of directors. The chairman, or in his absence the vice-chairman, shall preside at all meetings of the board of directors, and in the absence of both the chairman and vice-chairman, the board of directors shall elect a chairman pro tempore who shall preside at such meetings. Nine directors shall constitute a quorum, and all action by the board of directors shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present and voting. The members of the board of directors shall be entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred in attendance upon meetings of the board of directors or while otherwise engaged in the discharge of their duties, and each member shall also be paid the sum of $50 per day for each day or portion thereof during which he is engaged in the performance of his duties. Such expenses and compensation shall be paid out of the treasury of the Authority in such manner as shall be prescribed by the Authority. No member of the Board shall receive health insurance, dental insurance, retirement benefits, or other such benefits as compensation for his service on the Board.
2009, c. 471, § 15.2-7001; 2014, cc. 469, 805; 2020, cc. 281, 371.
§ 33.2-2902. Powers of the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority.In order to alleviate highway congestion; promote highway safety; expand highway construction; increase the utility and benefits and extend the services of public highways, including bridges, tunnels, and other highway facilities, both free and toll; and otherwise contribute to the economy, industrial and agricultural development, and welfare of the Commonwealth and the City of Richmond and the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield, the Authority shall have the following powers:
1. To contract and be contracted with, to sue and be sued, and to adopt, use, and alter at its pleasure a seal;
2. To acquire and hold real or personal property necessary or convenient for its purposes;
3. To sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of any personal or real property or rights, easements, or estates therein deemed by the Authority not necessary for its purposes;
4. With the approval of the Mayor and the Council of the City of Richmond and the Boards of Supervisors of the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield, to purchase, construct, or otherwise acquire ownership of or rights to manage limited access highways within the corporate limits of the City of Richmond and the Counties of Chesterfield and Henrico, including all bridges, tunnels, overpasses, underpasses, grade separations, interchanges, entrance plazas, approaches, tollhouses, administration buildings, storage buildings, and other buildings and facilities, and rights or licenses to operate existing toll roads that the Authority may deem necessary or convenient for the operation of such limited access highways. Title to any property acquired by the Authority shall be taken in the name of the Authority. Without the need of approval from such local governing bodies, the Authority may maintain, repair, and operate, or cause to be repaired, maintained, and operated, such limited access highways and related facilities;
5. With the approval of the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Richmond and the Boards of Supervisors of the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield, to own, operate, maintain, and provide rapid and other transit facilities and services for the transportation of the public; to enter into contracts with the City and the County or Counties and any public service corporations doing business as common carriers of passengers and property for the use of Authority facilities for such purpose; to enter into contracts for the transportation of passengers and property over facilities of localities other than those controlled by the Authority, as well as the property and facilities of the Authority; and to construct, acquire, operate, and maintain any other properties and facilities, including such offices and commercial facilities in connection therewith as are deemed necessary or convenient by the Authority, for the relief of traffic congestion, to provide vehicular parking, to promote transportation of persons and property, or to promote the flow of commerce that the City Council of the City of Richmond and the Boards of Supervisors of the Counties of Chesterfield and Henrico may request the Authority to provide;
6. With the approval of the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Richmond and the Boards of Supervisors of the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield, to acquire land; to construct, own, and operate sports facilities of any nature, including facilities reasonably related thereto; to construct, own, and operate coliseums and arenas, including facilities reasonably related thereto; to own a baseball stadium of sufficient seating capacity and quality for the playing of baseball at the level immediately below Major League Baseball; and to lease such land, stadium, sports facilities, coliseums, arenas, and attendant facilities under such terms and conditions as the Authority may prescribe. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this subdivision and any bond indenture to which the Authority is subject, the provisions of the bond indenture shall be controlling;
7. To acquire by the exercise of the power of eminent domain any lands, property rights, rights-of-way, franchises, easements, and other property, including public lands, parks, playgrounds, reservations, highways, or parkways, or parts thereof or rights therein, of any person, partnership, association, railroad, public service, public utility, or other corporation, or of any municipality, county, or other political subdivision, deemed necessary or convenient for the construction or the efficient operation of a project or necessary in the restoration, replacement, or relocation of public or private property damaged or destroyed whenever a reasonable price cannot be agreed upon with the governing body of such municipality, county, or other political subdivision as to such property owned by it or whenever the Authority cannot agree on the terms of purchase or settlement with the other owners because of the incapacity of such owners, because of the inability to agree on the compensation to be paid or other terms of settlement or purchase, or because such owners are nonresidents of the Commonwealth, are unknown, or are unable to convey valid title to such property. Such proceedings shall be in accordance with and subject to the provisions of any and all laws of the Commonwealth applicable to the exercise of the power of eminent domain in the name of the Commissioner of Highways and subject to the provisions of § 25.1-102 as fully as if the Authority were a corporation possessing the power of eminent domain. Title to any property condemned by the Authority shall immediately vest in the Authority, and the Authority shall be entitled to the immediate possession of such property upon the deposit with the clerk of the court in which such condemnation proceedings are originated of the total amount of the appraised price of the property and court costs and fees as provided by law, notwithstanding that any of the parties to such proceedings shall appeal from any decision in such condemnation proceeding. Whenever the Authority makes such deposit in connection with any condemnation proceeding, the making of such deposit shall not preclude the Authority from appealing any decision rendered in such proceedings. Upon the deposit with the clerk of the court of the appraised price, any person entitled thereto may, upon petition to the court, be paid his or their pro rata share of 90 percent of such appraised price. The acceptance of such payment shall not preclude such person from appealing any decision rendered in such proceedings. If the appraisement is greater or less than the amount finally determined by the decision in such proceeding or by an appeal, the amount of the increase or decrease shall be paid by or refunded to the Authority.
The terms "appraised price" and "appraisement" as used in this subdivision mean the value determined by two competent real estate appraisers appointed by the Authority for such purposes.
The acquisition of any such property by condemnation or by the exercise of the power of eminent domain shall be and is hereby declared to be a public use of such property;
8. To determine the location of any limited access highways constructed or acquired by the Authority, subject to the approval of the Commonwealth Transportation Board, and to determine the design standards and materials of construction of such highways;
9. To designate, with the approval of the Commonwealth Transportation Board, the location in the City of Richmond and in the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield and establish, limit, and control points of ingress to and egress from any limited access highway constructed by the Authority within the corporate limits of the City of Richmond and the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield as may be necessary or desirable in the judgment of the Authority to insure the proper operation and maintenance of such highway; to prohibit entrance to and exit from such highway from any point not so designated; and to construct, maintain, repair, and operate service roads connecting with points of ingress to and egress from such highway at such locations in the City of Richmond and in the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield as may be designated by the Authority;
10. To make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and the execution of its powers under this chapter, including contracts or agreements authorized by this chapter with the Commonwealth Transportation Board, the City of Richmond, and the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield;
11. To construct grade separations at intersections of any limited access highway constructed by the Authority with public highways or other public ways or places and to change and adjust the lines and grades thereof so as to accommodate the same to the design of the grade separation. The cost of such grade separations and any damage incurred in changing and adjusting the lines and grades of such highways, ways, and places shall be ascertained and paid by the Authority as a part of the cost of such highway;
12. To vacate or change the location of any portion of any public highway or other public way or place, public utility, sewer, pipe, main, conduit, cable, wire, tower, pole, and other equipment and appliance of the Commonwealth, of the City of Richmond, or of the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield, and to reconstruct the same in such new location as shall be designated by the Authority and of substantially the same type and in as good condition as the original highway, street, way, place, public utility, sewer, pipe, main, conduit, cable, wire, tower, pole, equipment, or appliance, with the cost of such reconstruction and any damage incurred in vacating or changing the location thereof ascertained and paid by the Authority as a part of the cost of the project in connection with such expenditures. Any public highway or other public way or place vacated or relocated by the Authority shall be vacated or relocated in the manner provided by law for the vacation or relocation of public highways, and any damages awarded on account thereof shall be paid by the Authority as a part of the cost of the project;
13. To enter upon any lands, waters, and premises for the purpose of making such surveys, soundings, borings, and examinations as the Authority may deem necessary or convenient for its purposes. Such entry shall not be deemed a trespass, nor shall an entry for such purposes be deemed an entry under any condemnation proceeding; however, the Authority shall pay any actual damage resulting to such lands, water, and premises as a result of such entry and activities;
14. To operate or permit the operation of vehicles for the transportation of persons or property for compensation on any limited access highway constructed or acquired by the Authority, provided that the Department of Motor Vehicles or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration shall not be divested of jurisdiction to authorize or regulate the operation of such carriers;
15. To establish reasonable regulations for the installation, construction, maintenance, repair, renewal, relocation, and removal of pipes, mains, sewers, conduits, cables, wires, towers, poles, and other equipment and appliances (public utility facilities) of the City of Richmond and the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield and of public utility and public service corporations and of any person, firm, or other corporation rendering similar services, owning or operating public utility facilities in, on, along, over, or under highways constructed by the Authority. Whenever the Authority shall determine that it is necessary that any public utility facilities should be relocated or removed, the Authority may relocate or remove the public utility facilities in accordance with the regulations of the Authority, and the cost and expense of such relocation or removal, including the cost of installing the public utility facilities in a new location and the cost of any lands or any rights or interests in lands and any other rights acquired to accomplish such relocation or removal, shall be paid by the Authority as a part of the cost of such highway. The owner or operator of the public utility facilities may maintain and operate the public utility facilities with the necessary appurtenances in the new location for as long a period and upon the same terms and conditions as it had the right to maintain and operate the public utility facilities in the former location;
16. With the approval of the Mayor and the Council of the City of Richmond and the Boards of Supervisors of the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield, to borrow money and issue bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness for any of its corporate purposes, such bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness to be payable solely from the revenues or other unencumbered funds available to the Authority that are pledged to the payment of such bonds, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness;
17. To fix, charge, and collect fees, tolls, rents, rates, and other charges for the use of Authority facilities and the parts or sections thereof;
18. To establish rules and regulations for the use of any Authority facilities as may be necessary or expedient in the interest of public safety with respect to the use of Authority facilities and property under the control of the Authority;
19. To employ consulting engineers, attorneys, accountants, construction and financial experts, superintendents, managers, trustees, depositaries, paying agents, and such other employees and agents as may be necessary in the discretion of the Authority to construct, acquire, maintain, and operate Authority facilities and to fix their compensation;
20. To receive and accept from any federal agency for or in aid of the construction of any Authority facility or for or in aid of any Authority undertaking authorized by this chapter, and to receive and accept from the Commonwealth, the City of Richmond, or the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield and from any other source, grants, contributions, or other aid in such construction or undertaking, or for operation and maintenance, either in money, property, labor, materials, or other things of value; and
21. To do all other acts and things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers expressly granted in this chapter.
2009, c. 471, § 15.2-7002; 2014, cc. 469, 805; 2016, c. 605.
§ 33.2-2903. Issuance of revenue bonds.The Authority is hereby authorized to provide by resolution for the issuance of revenue bonds of the Authority for the purpose of paying all or any part of the cost of Authority facilities or any project or portion of such facilities. The principal of and interest on such bonds shall be payable solely from the revenues pledged for such payment. The bonds of each issue or series shall be dated, shall bear interest at such rate or rates not exceeding six percent per year, shall mature at such time or times not exceeding 50 years from the date or dates thereof, as may be determined by the Authority, and may contain provisions reserving the right of the Authority to redeem such bonds before maturity at such price or prices and upon such terms and conditions as may be fixed by the Authority in the resolution authorizing such bonds. Such bonds may be issued in coupon form, registered form, or both as prescribed by the Authority, and provisions may be made for the registration of coupon bonds as to principal only or as to both principal and interest and for the reconversion of registered bonds into coupon bonds. Such bonds may be issued in any denomination and may be made payable at any bank or trust company within or without the Commonwealth as the Authority may determine. Such bonds and the coupons attached to coupon bonds shall be signed in such manner either manually or by facsimile signature, as shall be determined by the Authority, and sealed with the seal of the Authority or a facsimile thereof. In case any officer whose signature or facsimile thereof shall appear on any bond or coupon shall cease to be such officer before the delivery of such bonds, such signature or such facsimile signature shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes, the same as if such officer or officers had remained in office until the delivery thereof. The Authority may sell such bonds in such manner either at public or private sale and for such price or prices as the Authority may determine, but no such sale shall be made at a price so low as to require the payment of interest on the money received therefor at more than six percent per year, computed with relation to the absolute maturity of the bonds in accordance with standard tables of bond values, excluding from such computation the amount of any premium to be paid on the redemption of any bond prior to maturity. Prior to the preparation of definitive bonds, the Authority may, under like restrictions, issue interim receipts or temporary bonds, with or without coupons, exchangeable for definitive bonds when such bonds shall have been executed and are available for delivery. The Authority may also provide for the replacement of any bond that has become mutilated, destroyed, or lost.
2009, c. 471, § 15.2-7003; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2904. Rates and charges.Whenever the Authority has constructed or otherwise acquired Authority facilities and has issued bonds for such purpose, the Authority shall fix, revise, charge, and collect fees, tolls, rents, rates, and other charges for the use of such facilities and the different parts or sections thereof, sufficient, together with any other moneys made available and used for that purpose, to pay the principal of and interest on such bonds, together with reserves for such purposes, and to maintain and operate such facilities and to keep the same in good condition and repair. Such fees, tolls, rents, rates, and other charges shall not be subject to supervision or regulation by any commission, board, bureau, or agency of the Commonwealth or of any municipality, county, or other political subdivision of the Commonwealth, and all revenues, when collected, and the proceeds from the sale of revenue bonds, shall be held by the Authority in trust for the benefit of the holders of bonds of the Authority issued for the construction or acquisition of Authority facilities and for properly maintaining, operating, and repairing the Authority facilities.
Revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter shall not be deemed to constitute a debt of the Commonwealth, the City of Richmond, the County of Henrico, or the County of Chesterfield or a pledge of the full faith and credit of the Commonwealth, the City of Richmond, the County of Henrico, or the County of Chesterfield and shall be payable solely from the funds provided therefor from revenues.
2009, c. 471, § 15.2-7004; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2905. Use of state highway maintenance and construction funds for Authority facilities.Until all bonds of the Authority, including refunding bonds, and the interest thereon are paid in full, the Commonwealth Transportation Board may use any part of funds available for the maintenance of state highways in the highway construction district in which the Authority's facilities are wholly or partly located to provide for such portion of the operation, maintenance, and repair of the facilities of the Authority as is deemed in the public interest; however, no part of such funds shall be used for the facilities of the Authority unless the fees, tolls, rents, rates, and other charges for the use thereof are not sufficient to make the required payments of principal and interest on the outstanding revenue bonds issued in connection therewith, and to operate, maintain, and repair the same.
2009, c. 471, § 15.2-7005; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2906. Refunding bonds.The Authority is hereby authorized by resolution to provide for the issuance of refunding revenue bonds with which to refund outstanding revenue bonds or any issue or series of such outstanding bonds, which refunding revenue bonds may be issued at or before the maturity or redemption date of the bonds to be refunded, and to include different issues or series of such outstanding revenue bonds by a single issue of refunding revenue bonds, and to issue refunding revenue bonds to pay any redemption premium and interest to accrue and become payable on the outstanding revenue bonds being refunded to the date of payment or redemption, and to establish reserves for such refunding revenue bonds. Such refunding revenue bonds shall be payable solely from all or that portion of the revenues of the Authority facilities pledged to the payment thereof in the bond resolution pursuant to which such bonds were issued. Such refunding revenue bonds may, in the discretion of the Authority, be exchanged at par for the revenue bonds that are being refunded or may be sold at public or private sale in such manner and at such price as the Authority shall deem for the best interests of the Authority, but no such sale shall be made at a price so low as to require the payment of interest on the money received therefor at more than six percent per year, computed with relation to the absolute maturity of the bonds in accordance with standard tables of bond values, excluding from such computation the amount of any premium to be paid on the redemption of any bonds prior to maturity, and may be issued and delivered at any time prior to the date of redemption or maturity date of the bonds to be refunded as the Authority determines to be in the best interests of the Authority. The interest rate or rates on refunding revenue bonds shall not be limited by the interest rate or rates borne by any of the revenue bonds to be refunded thereby. The proceeds derived from the sale of refunding revenue bonds issued under this chapter shall be invested in obligations of or guaranteed by the United States government pending the application of such proceeds to the purpose for which such refunding revenue bonds have been issued. To further secure such refunding revenue bonds, the Authority may contract with the purchasers thereof with respect to the safekeeping and application of the proceeds thereof and the safekeeping and application of the earnings of such investments. The determination of the Authority with respect to the financial soundness and advantage of the issuance and delivery of refunding revenue bonds authorized under this chapter shall be conclusive, but nothing contained in this section shall require the holders of any outstanding revenue bonds being refunded to accept payment thereof otherwise than as provided in the outstanding bonds.
2009, c. 471, § 15.2-7006; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2907. Trust agreement.In the discretion of the Authority, any bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter may be secured by a trust agreement or indenture by and between the Authority and a corporate trustee, which may be any trust company or bank having the powers of a trust company within or without the Commonwealth, to be selected by the Authority in such manner as it may elect. Such trust agreement or the resolution providing for the issuance of such bonds may pledge or assign all or any portion of the tolls and other revenues to be received by the Authority from the ownership and operation of Authority facilities, but shall not convey or mortgage any Authority facilities or any part thereof. It shall be lawful for any bank or trust company incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth that may act as depositary of the proceeds of bonds or of revenues to furnish such indemnifying bonds or to pledge such securities as may be required by the Authority. Any such resolution, trust agreement, or indenture may set forth the rights and remedies of the bondholders and of the trustee and may restrict the individual right of action by bondholders. In addition to the foregoing, any such resolution, trust agreement, or indenture may contain such other provisions as the Authority may deem reasonable and proper for the security of the bondholders. All expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of such trust agreement or resolution may be treated as a part of the cost of the operation of the Authority facilities or portion thereof.
All or any portion of the revenues derived from the ownership and operation of Authority facilities, as may be provided for in the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or in the trust agreement or indenture securing such bonds, may be pledged to, and charged with, the payment of the principal of and the interest on such bonds as the payment shall become due, and the redemption price or the purchase price of bonds retired by call or purchase as therein provided. Such pledge shall be valid and binding from the time when the pledge is made; the revenues or other moneys so pledged and thereafter received by the Authority shall immediately be subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act, and the lien of any such pledge shall be valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract, or otherwise against the Authority, irrespective of whether such parties have notice thereof. Neither the resolution nor any trust agreement nor indenture by which a pledge is created need be filed or recorded except in the records of the Authority.
2009, c. 471, § 15.2-7007; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2908. Covenants to secure bonds.Any resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds of the Authority may, for the benefit and security of the holders of such bonds, contain covenants by the Authority for such a purpose, including covenants as to, among other things:
1. The operation, maintenance, and repair of the Authority facilities;
2. The purposes to which the proceeds of the sale of such bonds may be applied and the use and disposition thereof;
3. The use and disposition of the revenues of the Authority derived from the ownership or operation of Authority facilities and additions, improvements, and extensions thereof, including the investment thereof and the creation and maintenance of reserve funds and funds for working capital and all renewals and replacements to Authority facilities;
4. The amount, if any, of additional revenue bonds payable from such revenues that may be issued and the terms and conditions on which such additional revenue bonds may be issued;
5. Fixing, maintaining, collection, and deposit of fees, tolls, rents, rates, and other charges for all the services sold, furnished, or supplied by the Authority facilities;
6. The operation, maintenance, repair, management, accounting, and auditing of the Authority;
7. Limitations upon the right of the Authority to dispose of Authority facilities or any part thereof without providing for the payment of the outstanding revenue bonds;
8. The appointment of trustees, depositaries, and paying agents within or without the Commonwealth to receive, hold, disburse, invest, or reinvest the proceeds derived from the sale of revenue bonds and all or any part of the revenues derived by the Authority from the operation, ownership, and management of the Authority facilities; and
9. Such other covenants and agreements as may be determined necessary in the discretion of the Authority to advantageously market the revenue bonds of the Authority.
2009, c. 471, § 15.2-7008; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2909. Revenue bonds eligible for investment.Bonds issued by the Authority under the provisions of this chapter are hereby made securities in which all public officers and public bodies of the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions and all insurance companies, trust companies, banks, banking associations, investment companies, executors, administrators, trustees, and other fiduciaries may properly and legally invest funds, including capital, in their control or belonging to them. Such bonds are also hereby made securities that may properly and legally be deposited with and received by any Commonwealth or municipal officer or any agency or political subdivision of the Commonwealth for any purpose for which the deposit of bonds or obligations is or may be authorized by law.
2009, c. 471, § 15.2-7009; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2910. Authority obligations to be negotiable instruments; enforcement of bonds.Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, or any provision of law, any recital in any bond, any interim receipt, or any other obligation issued under the provisions of this chapter, all such bonds, interim receipts, or other obligations shall be deemed to be negotiable instruments under the laws of the Commonwealth. The provisions of this chapter, and of any resolution or indenture providing for the issuance and security of any revenue bonds, interim receipts, or other obligations issued pursuant to this chapter, shall constitute a contract with the holder of such revenue bonds, interim receipts, or other obligations, and the agreements and covenants of the Authority under this chapter and under such resolution, resolutions, or indentures shall be enforceable by any holder of revenue bonds, interim receipts, or other obligations issued under the provisions of this chapter and any representative of such holder, and any trustee appointed under the bond resolution and authorized to do so, may by suit, action, injunction, mandamus, or other proceeding issued by a court of competent jurisdiction enforce all rights of such holders under the laws of the Commonwealth or granted by this chapter and in any such bond resolution or indenture and may compel performance of all duties required to be performed by this chapter and by such bond resolutions or indenture by the Authority or by any officer or agent thereof, including the fixing, charging, and collecting of fees, tolls, rents, rates, and other charges for the use of the Authority facilities.
2009, c. 471, § 15.2-7010; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2911. Exemption from taxation.All property, real and personal, and all rights and interests therein and the income of the Authority, the revenue bonds and the interest thereon, and the transfer thereof and any profit made on the sale thereof, shall at all times be free from taxation or assessment by the Commonwealth and by any municipality, county, or other political subdivision thereof.
2009, c. 471, § 15.2-7011; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2912. General powers of City of Richmond and Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield.The City of Richmond and the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield may enter into and perform contracts or agreements with the Authority providing for furnishing to the Authority one or more of the following cooperative undertakings or any combination thereof:
1. The preparation, acquisition, loan, or exchange of survey, engineering, borings, construction and other technical reports, studies, plans, and data;
2. The providing of engineering, planning and other professional and technical services, labor, or other things of value;
3. The construction, in whole or in part, of public highways, bridges, tunnels, viaducts, interchanges, connecting highways, grade crossings, and other highway facilities;
4. The providing of funds in lump sums or installments to assist in paying the cost of any Authority facility or any Authority undertaking authorized by this chapter or the operation and maintenance thereof;
5. The acquisition and transfer to the Authority of land, including easements, rights-of-way, or other property, useful in the construction, operation, or maintenance of any Authority facility;
6. The making of payments or contributions to the Authority for the use of or in compensation for the services rendered by any Authority facility in lieu of the payment of tolls or other charges therefor, and such payments and contributions shall be deemed revenues of the project to the same extent as the tolls, rentals, fees, and other charges collected in the operation of the project;
7. When requested by the Authority, the vacating or changing of the location of any public highway or other public way or place or any portion thereof, public utility, sewer, pipe, main, conduit, cable, wire, tower, pole, or other equipment or appliance owned or controlled by or under the jurisdiction of either the City of Richmond or the County of Henrico or Chesterfield, in the manner required or authorized by law conferring such power on the City of Richmond or the County of Henrico or Chesterfield, and to construct the same in such new location as shall be designated by the governing body of the City of Richmond or the County of Henrico or Chesterfield, and the cost of vacating or changing the location or reconstruction thereof and any damages resulting therefrom required to be paid by the City of Richmond or County of Henrico or Chesterfield shall be reimbursed by the Authority as a part of the cost of the project in connection with which such expenditures have been made; and
8. The connection of any project of the Authority with the streets, highways, roads, and other public ways in the City of Richmond and in the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield.
2009, c. 471, § 15.2-7012; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2913. Powers of City of Richmond and Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield with respect to revenue bonds issued by the Authority.A. The City of Richmond and the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield each may enter into and perform contracts and agreements with the Authority to aid the Authority to pay the principal of and interest on revenue bonds or revenue refunding bonds issued by the Authority if, when, and as the revenues of the Authority may not be sufficient to pay such principal or interest when due. No such contract or agreement shall be deemed to be lending or granting credit to or in aid of any person, association, company, or corporation within the meaning of Section 10 of Article X of the Constitution of Virginia, nor shall any such contract or agreement be deemed to be a pledge of the full faith and credit or of the taxing power of the City of Richmond, the County of Henrico, or the County of Chesterfield for the payment of such principal or interest except as may be otherwise provided in such contracts or agreements. Any holder of bonds, notes, certificates, or other evidences of borrowing issued by the Authority under the provisions of this chapter or of coupons appertaining thereto, and the representatives of such holders and the trustee under any bond resolution or indenture, may either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus, or other proceeding, protect and enforce all rights of the Authority under or by virtue of any such contract or agreement.
B. Funds to perform any such contract or agreement may be provided by the City of Richmond, the County of Henrico, or the County of Chesterfield by appropriations of general or specific tax revenue, or by appropriations of accumulated funds allocated for public improvements generally, or allocated to the purposes of such contract or agreement, or by appropriations of the proceeds from the sale of bonds, which may be issued as provided in this chapter.
C. The City of Richmond, the County of Henrico, or the County of Chesterfield may issue bonds for the purpose of providing funds to perform any contract or agreement entered into with the Authority pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. Such bonds shall mature at such time not exceeding 40 years from their date, as may be determined by the governing body of the City of Richmond, the County of Henrico, or the County of Chesterfield issuing such bonds, and may be redeemable before maturity, at the option of the governing body of the City of Richmond, the County of Henrico, or the County of Chesterfield, at such price and under such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by such governing body prior to the issuance of the bonds. The City of Richmond, the County of Henrico, and the County of Chesterfield may provide for the issuance of refunding bonds for the purpose of refunding any outstanding bond that has been issued pursuant to the provisions of this subsection, including the payment of any redemption premium thereon, and any interest accrued or to accrue to the date of redemption of such bonds.
D. The authority of the City of Richmond, the County of Henrico, and the County of Chesterfield to contract and to issue bonds pursuant to this chapter is in addition to any existing authority to contract and issue bonds, anything in the laws of the Commonwealth, including the Charter of the City of Richmond, to the contrary notwithstanding, all of which laws and Charter are hereby amended or modified so as to effectuate the powers conferred by this chapter.
E. The governing bodies of the City of Richmond and of the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield may exercise any of the powers granted by this chapter by resolution, and all proceedings of the City Council of the City of Richmond and the Boards of Supervisors of the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield authorizing the execution of such contracts and providing for the issuance of bonds pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall not be subject to the provisions of the Charter of the City or this Code permitting a referendum on actions taken by the City Council and Boards of Supervisors except as required by the Constitution of Virginia, but all such proceedings shall take effect immediately upon the adoption thereof.
2009, c. 471, § 15.2-7013; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2914. Powers of the Commonwealth Transportation Board.The Commonwealth Transportation Board may:
1. Enter into and perform contracts or agreements with the Authority to furnish it with surveys, engineering, borings, plans, and specifications and other technical services, reports, studies, and data, the cost of which shall be reimbursed by the Authority as a part of the cost of the project in connection with which such contracts or agreements were entered into;
2. Allocate to and for the construction, operation, or maintenance of any highways constructed by the Authority and pay to the Authority such funds as may be or become available to the Commonwealth Transportation Board for such purposes;
3. Permit the connection of any highways constructed or acquired by the Authority with highways under the control and jurisdiction of the Commonwealth Transportation Board; and
4. Employ independent consulting engineers having a nationwide and favorable repute in estimating traffic over any such highways to determine whether the construction of such highways will result in substantial reduction in the volume of traffic over Interstate 95 and use funds under the control of the Commonwealth Transportation Board for that purpose.
2009, c. 471, § 15.2-7014; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2915. Acquisition of property.A. The Authority may acquire, solely from funds provided under the provisions of this chapter, such lands, structures, properties, rights, rights-of-way, franchises, easements, and other interests in lands, including lands lying under water and riparian rights, as it may deem necessary or convenient for the construction and operation of Authority facilities, upon such terms and at such prices as may be considered by it to be reasonable and can be agreed upon between it and the owner thereof.
B. The City of Richmond, the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, and, with the approval of the Governor, public agencies and commissions of the Commonwealth, notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, may lease, lend, grant, or convey to the Authority at its request upon such terms and conditions as the governing bodies of the City of Richmond, the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, or the proper authorities of such agencies or commissions of the Commonwealth may deem reasonable and fair and without the necessity of any advertisement, order of court, or other action or formality, other than the regular and formal action of the governing bodies or authorities concerned, any real property that may be necessary or convenient for the effectuation of the authorized purposes of the Authority, including public highways and any other real property already devoted to public use.
C. The City of Richmond and the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield may, subject to the provisions of § 25.1-102, acquire by the exercise of the power of eminent domain granted to or conferred upon them, and in accordance with the procedure prescribed therefor, any real property that may be necessary or convenient for the effectuation of the authorized purposes of the Authority and lease, lend, grant, or convey such property to the Authority upon such terms and conditions as the governing bodies of the City of Richmond or Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield may deem reasonable and fair; the acquisition of such real property by the exercise of the power of eminent domain and the disposition of the same to the Authority as provided in this section shall be and is declared to be for a public use of such property.
D. In any eminent domain proceedings by the Authority, the City of Richmond, or the County of Henrico or Chesterfield under this chapter, the court having jurisdiction of the suit, action, or proceeding may make such orders as may be just to the Authority, the City of Richmond, or the County of Henrico or Chesterfield and to the owners of the property to be condemned, and may require an undertaking or other security to secure such owners against any loss or damage by reason of the failure of the Authority, the City of Richmond, or the County of Henrico or Chesterfield to accept and pay for the property, or by reason of the taking of property occupied by such owners, but neither such undertaking or security nor any act or obligation of the Authority, the City of Richmond, or the County of Henrico or Chesterfield shall impose any liability upon the Commonwealth.
E. If the owner, lessee, or occupier of any property to be condemned or otherwise acquired pursuant to this chapter refuses to remove his property therefrom or give up possession thereof, the Authority, the City of Richmond, or the County of Henrico or Chesterfield may proceed to obtain possession in any manner provided by law.
F. When the Authority, the City of Richmond, or the County of Henrico or Chesterfield proposes to construct a highway across the tracks of any railroad, the exercise of the general power of eminent domain over the property of a railroad granted by § 33.2-2902 shall be limited with respect to the property, right-of-way, facilities, works, or appurtenances upon which the tracks at such proposed crossing are located, to the acquisition only of an easement therein, which crossing shall be constructed either sufficiently above or below the grade of any such railroad track so that neither the crossing then under construction nor any part thereof, including any bridge abutments, columns, supporting structures, and appurtenances, nor any traffic upon it shall interfere in any manner with the use, operation, or maintenance of the trains, tracks, works, or appurtenances of the railroad or interfere with or endanger the movement of the trains or traffic upon the tracks of the railroad. Prior to the exercise of the power of eminent domain for such an easement, plans and specifications of that portion of the project to be constructed across the railroad tracks showing compliance with such requirements and showing sufficient and safe plans and specifications for such overhead or underground structure and appurtenances shall be submitted to the railroad for examination and approval. If the railroad fails or refuses within 30 days to approve the plans and specifications so submitted, the matter shall be submitted by the Authority, the City of Richmond, or the County of Henrico or Chesterfield to the State Corporation Commission, whose decision, arrived at after due consideration in accordance with its usual procedure, shall be final as to the sufficiency and safety of such plans and specifications and as to such elevations or distances above or below such tracks. The overhead or underground structures and appurtenances shall be constructed in accordance with such plans and specifications and in accordance with such elevations or distances above or below such tracks so approved by the railroad or the State Corporation Commission. A copy of the plans and specifications approved by the railroad or the State Corporation Commission shall be filed as an exhibit upon the institution of any proceeding brought in the exercise of the power of eminent domain.
G. The Commonwealth hereby consents, subject to the approval of the Governor, to the use by the Authority of any other lands or property owned by the Commonwealth, including lands lying under water, that are deemed by the Authority to be necessary for the construction or operation of any project being constructed by the Authority.
2009, c. 471, § 15.2-7015; 2014, c. 805; 2015, c. 256.
§ 33.2-2916. Transfer to City of Richmond.A. If the City of Richmond has rendered financial assistance or contributed in any manner to the cost of construction of a limited access highway by the Authority within or partly within and partly without the corporate limits of the City of Richmond, and the Authority has issued bonds for the construction of such limited access highway, then, when all such bonds, including refunding bonds, and the interest thereon have been paid or a sufficient amount of cash or United States government securities have been deposited and dedicated to the payment of all such bonds and the interest to the maturity or redemption date thereof in trust for the benefit of the holders of such bonds, all property, real and personal, acquired in connection with such limited access highway within the City of Richmond shall be transferred by the Authority to the City as compensation to the City for the financial assistance rendered by the City to the Authority in connection with the construction or acquisition of such limited access highway. Such highway shall upon the acceptance thereof by the City become a part of the street or highway system of the City and shall thereafter be maintained and operated as a limited access highway by the City. The governing body of the City of Richmond shall have the power to fix, revise, charge, and collect tolls for transit over such limited access highway and as compensation for other uses that may be made thereof. The proceeds from such tolls and compensation shall be first used to reimburse the City of Richmond and the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield for any funds or expenditures made by each of them pursuant to contracts or agreements authorized by § 33.2-2913 for which reimbursement has not been made, and then for the operation, maintenance, improvement, expansion, or extension of such limited access highway and to increase its utility and benefits and for the construction, reconstruction, maintenance, and operation of other projects or highways connected with such limited access highway or with the federal or state highway systems, and for such purpose the City of Richmond shall succeed to all the functions and shall have all the powers conferred on the Authority by this chapter.
B. If the Authority constructs a limited access highway project partly within and partly without the corporate limits of the City of Richmond, any extension thereof shall be constructed or acquired only when approved by the unanimous vote of all members of the board of directors or by a vote of three-fourths of the directors and approval by the City Council of the City of Richmond and the Boards of Supervisors of the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield. If the Authority has issued bonds for the purpose of constructing such project or for the purpose of constructing or acquiring such extensions when all such bonds, including any refunding bonds, and the interest thereon have been paid or a sufficient amount of cash or United States government securities have been deposited and dedicated to the payment thereof in trust for the benefit of holders of such bonds, all property, real and personal, acquired in connection with such project or extension thereof not required to be transferred to the City of Richmond pursuant to subsection A shall be transferred by the Authority to the political subdivisions in which such property is located at the time of such transfer at no cost to such political subdivisions in the event the subdivisions adopt a resolution accepting such property. If not accepted by such subdivisions within 30 days from the offer of the property by the Authority, then the Authority shall transfer such property to the Commonwealth Transportation Board. If such property is accepted by the political subdivision where the property is located, the governing body of such subdivision shall have the power to fix, revise, charge, and collect tolls for transit over such limited access highway project or extension and as compensation for other uses that may be made thereof. The proceeds from such tolls and compensation shall be used first to reimburse the City of Richmond and the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield for any funds or expenditures made by each of them pursuant to contracts or agreements authorized by § 33.2-2913 for which reimbursement has not been made and then for the operation, maintenance, improvement, expansion, or extension of such limited access highway project and to increase its utility and benefits and for the construction, reconstruction, maintenance, and operation of other projects or highways connected with such limited access highway or with the state or federal highway systems and for such purpose such political subdivisions shall succeed to all the functions and shall have all the powers conferred on the Authority by this chapter with respect to such property.
2009, c. 471, § 15.2-7016; 2014, c. 805; 2015, c. 256.
§ 33.2-2917. Miscellaneous.A. Any money set aside for the payment of the principal of or interest on any bonds issued by the Authority not claimed within two years from the day the principal of such bonds is due by maturity or by call for redemption shall be paid into the state treasury. No interest shall accrue on such principal or interest from the day the same is due. The Comptroller shall keep an account of all money thus paid into the state treasury, and it shall be paid to the individual partnership, association, or corporation entitled thereto upon satisfactory proof that such individual, partnership, association, or corporation is so entitled to such money. If the claim so presented is rejected by the Comptroller, the claimant may proceed against the Comptroller for recovery in the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond. An appeal from the judgment of the circuit court shall lie to the Court of Appeals as in actions at law, and all laws and rules relating to practice and procedure in actions at law shall apply to such authorized proceedings. No such proceedings shall be filed after 10 years from the day the principal of or interest on such bonds is due; however, if the individual having such claim is an infant or insane person or is imprisoned at such due date, such proceedings may be filed within five years after the removal of such disability, notwithstanding the fact that such 10-year period has expired.
B. The Authority may contract with the City of Richmond, the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield, and the Department of State Police for the policing of any Authority facilities, and the City of Richmond, the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield, and the Department of State Police are hereby authorized to enter into contracts with the Authority for such purpose. Police officers providing police services pursuant to such contracts shall be under the exclusive control and direction of the authority providing such officers and shall be responsible to that authority exclusively for the performance of their duties and the exercise of their powers. The Authority shall reimburse the City of Richmond, the County of Henrico or Chesterfield, or the Commonwealth in such amounts and at such time as shall be mutually agreed upon for providing police service. Such officers shall be responsible for the preservation of the public peace, prevention of crime, apprehension of criminals, protection of the rights of persons and property, and enforcement of the laws of the Commonwealth and all regulations of the Authority made in accordance, and such officers shall have all the rights and duties of police officers as provided by the general laws of the Commonwealth. The violation of any such regulation shall be punishable as follows: if such a violation would have been a violation of law if committed on any public highway in the City of Richmond or the County of Henrico or Chesterfield, it shall be punishable in the same manner as if it had been committed on such public highway; otherwise it shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. All other police officers of the Commonwealth, the City of Richmond, and the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield shall have the same powers and jurisdiction within the areas of operations agreed upon by the parties that they have beyond such limits and shall have access to all such areas at any time without interference for the purpose of exercising such powers and jurisdiction. For the purpose of enforcing such laws and regulations, the court having jurisdiction for the trial of criminal offenses committed in the City of Richmond or in the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield within whose boundaries any crime is committed shall have jurisdiction to try any person charged with the violation of any such laws and regulations within such boundaries. A copy of the regulations of the Authority, attested by the secretary or secretary-treasurer of the Authority, may be admitted as evidence in lieu of the original. Any such copy purporting to be sealed and signed by such secretary or secretary-treasurer may be admitted as evidence without any proof of the seal or signature or of the official character of the person whose name is signed to it.
C. All actions at law and suits in equity and other proceedings, actions, and suits against the Authority, or any other person, firm, or corporation, growing out of the construction, maintenance, repair, operation, and use of any Authority facility, or growing out of any other circumstances, events, or causes in connection therewith, unless otherwise provided in this section, shall be brought and conducted in the court having jurisdiction of such actions, suits, and proceedings in the City of Richmond or the County of Henrico or Chesterfield within whose boundaries the causes of such actions, suits, and proceedings arise, and jurisdiction is hereby conferred on such court for that purpose. All such actions, suits, and proceedings on behalf of the Authority shall be brought and conducted in the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond, except as otherwise provided in this section, and exclusive jurisdiction is hereby conferred on such court for the purpose. Eminent domain proceedings instituted and conducted by the Authority shall be brought and conducted in the court having jurisdiction of such proceedings in the City of Richmond or the County of Henrico or Chesterfield within whose boundaries the land or other property to be so acquired or the major portion thereof is situated, and jurisdiction is hereby conferred on such court for such purpose.
D. On or before September 30 of each year, the Authority shall prepare a report of its activities for the 12-month period ending the preceding July 1 of such year and shall file a copy thereof with the Commonwealth Transportation Board, the City of Richmond, and the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield. Each such report shall set forth an operating and financial statement covering the Authority's operations during the 12-month period covered by the report. The Authority shall cause an audit of its books and accounts to be made at least once in each year by certified public accountants to be selected by the Authority, and the cost of such audit shall be treated as a part of the cost of construction and operation of a project.
E. The records, books, and accounts of the Authority shall be subject to examination and inspection by duly authorized representatives of the Commonwealth Transportation Board, the governing bodies of the City of Richmond and the Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield, and any bondholder at any reasonable time, provided the business of the Authority is not unduly interrupted or interfered with thereby.
F. Any member, agent, or employee of the Authority who contracts with the Authority or is interested in contracting with the Authority or in the sale of any property, either real or personal, to the Authority shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment in jail for not more than one year, either or both. Exclusive jurisdiction for the trial of such misdemeanors is hereby conferred upon the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond, provided that the term "contract," as used in this chapter, shall not be held to include the depositing of funds in, the borrowing of funds from, or the serving as agent or trustee by any bank in which any member, agent, or employee of the Authority may be a director, officer, or employee or have a security interest, nor shall such term include contracts or agreements with the Commonwealth Transportation Board or the purchase of services from, or other transactions in the ordinary course of business with, public service corporations.
2009, c. 471, § 15.2-7017; 2014, c. 805; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 489.
§ 33.2-2918. Approval by Commonwealth Transportation Board.The Authority shall not construct a limited access toll highway without the approval of the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
2009, c. 471, § 15.2-7018; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2919. Liberal construction.This chapter shall be liberally construed to effectuate the purposes hereof, and the foregoing sections of this chapter shall be deemed to provide an additional and alternative method of doing the things authorized thereby, and shall be regarded as supplemental and additional to powers conferred upon the City of Richmond by its Charter and upon the City of Richmond and Counties of Henrico and Chesterfield by other provisions of law; however, the issuance of revenue bonds or revenue refunding bonds under the provisions of this chapter need not comply with the requirements of any other law applicable to the issuance of bonds, and except as provided in this chapter none of the powers granted to the Authority under the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to the supervision or regulation or require the approval or consent of the City of Richmond or the Counties of Henrico or Chesterfield or any commission, board, bureau, official, or agency thereof or of the Commonwealth, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
2009, c. 471, § 15.2-7019; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-2920. Repealed.Repealed by Acts 2015, c. 709, cl. 2.
§ 33.2-2921. Inconsistent laws inapplicable.All other laws, including the provisions of the Charter of the City of Richmond, inconsistent with any provision of this chapter are hereby declared to be inapplicable to the provisions of this chapter and to any project constructed by the Authority pursuant to this chapter.
2009, c. 471, § 15.2-7021; 2014, c. 805.
Chapter 30. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Regulation Compact of 1958.
§ 33.2-3000. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Regulation Compact of 1958.§ 1. The Governor is hereby authorized and directed to execute, on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a compact with the District of Columbia and the State of Maryland, which compact shall be in form substantially as follows: (1958, c. 627)
§ 2. (1958, c. 627; repealed 1988, c. 890)
§ 2.1. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Regulation Compact.--Whereas, the Commonwealth of Virginia (Chapter 627, 1958 Acts of Assembly), the State of Maryland (Chapter 613, Acts of General Assembly, 1959), and the Commissioners of the District of Columbia (resolution of the Board of Commissioners, December 22, 1960) entered into and executed the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Regulation Compact on December 22, 1960; and
Whereas, the Congress of the United States has, by joint resolution approved October 9, 1962 (Public Law 87-767, 76 Stat. 764), given its consent to the State of Maryland, and the Commonwealth of Virginia to effectuate certain clarifying amendments to the Compact, and has authorized and directed the Commissioners of the District of Columbia to effectuate the amendments on behalf of the United States for the District of Columbia; and
Whereas, the Commonwealth of Virginia (Chapter 67, 1962 Acts of Assembly), the State of Maryland (Chapter 114, Acts of General Assembly, 1962), and the Commissioners of the District of Columbia (resolution of the Board of Commissioners adopted on March 19, 1963) have adopted those clarifying amendments to the Compact;
Now, therefore, the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia, hereafter referred to as the signatories, covenant and agree as follows:
TITLE I. GENERAL COMPACT PROVISIONS.
Article I.
There is created the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit District, referred to as the Metropolitan District, which shall include: the District of Columbia; the cities of Alexandria and Falls Church of the Commonwealth of Virginia; Arlington County and Fairfax County of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the political subdivisions located within those counties, and that portion of Loudoun County, Virginia, occupied by the Washington Dulles International Airport; Montgomery County and Prince George's County of the State of Maryland, and the political subdivisions located within those counties; and all other cities now or hereafter existing in Maryland or Virginia within the geographic area bounded by the outer boundaries of the combined area of those counties, cities, and airports.
Article II.
1. The signatories hereby create the "Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission," hereafter called the "Commission," which shall be an instrumentality of the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the State of Maryland, and shall have the powers and duties set forth in the Compact and those additional powers and additional powers and duties conferred upon it by subsequent action of the signatories.
2. The Commission shall have jurisdiction coextensive with the Metropolitan District for the regulation of passenger transportation within the Metropolitan District on a coordinated basis, without regard to political boundaries within the Metropolitan District, as set forth in this Compact.
Article III.
1. (A) The Commission shall be composed of three members, one member appointed by the Governor of Virginia from the Department of Motor Vehicles of the Commonwealth of Virginia, one member appointed by the Governor of Maryland from the Maryland Public Service Commission, and one member appointed by the Mayor of the District of Columbia from a District of Columbia agency with oversight of matters relating to the Commission.
(B) A member appointed shall serve for a term coincident with the term of that member on the agency of the signatory, and a member may be removed or suspended from office as the law of the appointing signatory provides.
(C) Vacancies shall be filled for an unexpired term in the same manner as an original appointment.
(D) An amendment to Section 1 (A) of this Article shall not affect any member in office on the amendment's effective date.
2. A person in the employment of or holding an official relation to a person or company subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission or having an interest of any nature in a person or company or affiliate or associate thereof, may not hold the office of commissioner or serve as an employee of the Commission or have any power or duty or receive any compensation in relation to the Commission.
3. (A) The Commission shall select a chairman from among its members.
(B) The chairman shall be responsible for the Commission's work and shall have all powers to discharge that duty.
4. A signatory may pay the Commissioner from its jurisdiction the salary or expenses, if any, that it considers appropriate.
5. (A) The Commission may employ engineering, technical, legal, clerical, and other personnel on a regular, part-time, or consulting basis to assist in the discharge of its functions.
(B) The Commission is not bound by any statute or regulation of a signatory in the employment or discharge of an officer or employee of the Commission, except that contained in this Compact.
6. The Commission shall establish its office at a location to be determined by the Commission within the Metropolitan District and shall publish rules and regulations governing the conduct of its operations.
Article IV.
1. (A) The signatories shall bear the expenses of the Commission in the manner set forth here.
(B) The Commission shall submit to the Governor of Virginia, the Governor of Maryland, and the Mayor of the District of Columbia, when requested, a budget of its requirements for the period required by the laws of the signatories for presentation to the legislature.
(C) The Commission shall allocate its expenses among the signatories in the proportion that the population of each signatory within the Metropolitan District bears to the total population of the Metropolitan District.
(D) (I) The Commission shall base its allocation on the latest available population statistics of the Bureau of the Census; or
(II) If current population data are not available, the Commission may, upon the request of a signatory, employ estimates of population prepared in a manner approved by the Commission and by the signatory making the request.
(E) The Governors of the two states and the Mayor of the District of Columbia shall approve the allocation made by the Commission.
2. (A) The signatories shall appropriate their proportion of the budget for the expenses of the Commission and shall pay that appropriation to the Commission.
(B) The budget of the Commission and the appropriations of the signatories may not include a sum for the payment of salaries or expenses of the Commissioners.
(C) The provisions of § 2.1-30 of the Code of Virginia do not apply to any official or employee of the Commonwealth of Virginia acting or performing services under this Act.
3. (A) If the Commission requests and a signatory makes available personnel, services, or material which the Commission would otherwise have to employ or purchase, the Commission shall:
(I) determine an amount; and
(II) reduce the expenses allocable to a signatory.
(B) If any services in kind are rendered, the Commission shall return to the signatory an amount equivalent to the savings to the Commission represented by the contribution in kind.
4. (A) The Commission shall have the power to establish fees under regulations, including but not limited to filing fees and annual fees.
(B) The Commission shall return to the signatories fees established by it in proportion to the share of the Commission's expenses home by each signatory in the fiscal year during which the fees were collected.
5. (A) The Commission shall keep accurate books of account, showing in full its receipts and disbursements.
(B) The books of account shall be open for inspection by representatives of the respective signatories at any reasonable time.)
Article V.
1. An action by the Commission may not be effective unless a majority of the members concur.
2. An order entered by the Commission under the provisions of Title II of this Act which affect operations or matters solely intrastate or solely within the District of Columbia may not be effective unless the Commissioner from the affected signatory concurs.
3. Two members of the Commission are a quorum.
4. The Commission may delegate by regulation the tasks that it considers appropriate.
Article VI.
This Compact does not amend, alter, or affect the power of the signatories and their political subdivisions to levy and collect taxes on the property or income of any person or company subject to this Act or upon any material, equipment, or supplies purchased by that person or company or to levy, assess, and collect franchise or other similar taxes, or fees for the licensing of vehicles and their operation.
Article VII.
This amended Compact shall become effective ninety days after the signatories adopt it.
Article VIII.
1. (A) This Compact may be amended from time to time without the prior consent or approval of the Congress of the United States and any amendment shall be effective unless, within one year, the Congress disapproves that amendment.
(B) An amendment may not be effective unless adopted by each of the signatories.
2. (A) A signatory may withdraw from the Compact upon written notice to the other signatories.
(B) In the event of a withdrawal, the Compact shall be terminated at the end of the Commission's next full fiscal year following the notice.
3. Upon the termination of this Compact, the jurisdiction over the matters and persons covered by this Act shall revert to the signatories and the federal government, as their interests may appear, and the applicable laws of the signatories and the federal government shall be reactivated without further legislation.
Article IX.
Each of the signatories pledges to each of the other signatories faithful cooperation in the regulation of passenger transportation within the Metropolitan District and agrees to enact any necessary legislation to achieve the objectives of the Compact for the mutual benefit of the citizens living in the Metropolitan District.
Article X.
1. If a provision of this Act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid in a court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or any other application of this Act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and for this purpose the provisions of this Act are declared severable.
2. In accordance with the ordinary rules for construction of interstate compacts, this Act shall be liberally construed to effectuate its purposes.
TITLE II. COMPACT REGULATORY PROVISIONS.
Article XI.
1. This Act shall apply to the transportation for hire by any carrier of persons between any points in the Metropolitan District, including but not limited to:
(A) As to interstate and foreign commerce, transportation performed over a regular route between a point in the Metropolitan District and a point outside the Metropolitan District if:
(I) The majority of passengers transported over that regular route are transported between points within the Metropolitan District; and
(II) That regular route is authorized by a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the Interstate Commerce Commission; and
(B) The rates, charges, regulations, and minimum insurance requirements for taxicabs and other vehicles that perform a bona fide taxicab service, where the taxicab or other vehicle:
(I) has a seating capacity of nine persons or less, including the driver; and
(II) provides transportation from one signatory to another within the Metropolitan District.
2. Solely for the purposes of this section and Section 18 of this Article:
(A) The Metropolitan District shall include that portion of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, occupied by the Baltimore-Washington International Airport; and
(B) Jurisdiction of the Commission shall apply to taxicab rates, charges, regulations, and minimum insurance requirements for interstate transportation between the Baltimore-Washington International Airport and other points in the Metropolitan District, unless conducted by a taxicab licensed by the state of Maryland or a political subdivision of the state of Maryland, or operated under a contract with the state of Maryland.
3. Excluded from the application of this Act are:
(A) Transportation by water, air, or rail;
(B) Transportation performed by the federal government, the signatories to this Compact, or any political subdivision of the signatories;
(C) Transportation performed by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority;
(D) Transportation by a motor vehicle employed solely in transporting teachers and school children through grade 12 to or from public or private schools;
(E) Transportation performed over a regular route between a point in the Metropolitan District and a point outside the Metropolitan District, including transportation between those points on the regular route that are within the Metropolitan District, if:
(I) the majority of passengers transported over the regular route are not transported between points in the Metropolitan District; and
(II) the regular route is authorized by a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the Interstate Commerce Commission;
(F) Matters other than rates, charges, regulations, and minimum insurance requirements relating to vehicles and operations described in sections 1(B) and 2 of this article;
(G) Transportation solely within the Commonwealth of Virginia and the activities of persons performing that transportation; and
(H) The exercise of any power or the discharge of any duty conferred or imposed upon the State Corporation Commission of the Commonwealth of Virginia by the Virginia Constitution.
Definitions.
4. In this Act the following words have the meanings indicated.
(A) "Carrier" means a person who engages in the transportation of passengers by motor vehicle or other form or means of conveyance for hire.
(B) "Motor vehicle" means an automobile, bus, or other vehicle propelled or drawn by mechanical or electrical power on the public streets or highways of the Metropolitan District and used for the transportation of passengers.
(C) "Person" means an individual, firm, copartnership, corporation, company, association or joint stock association, and includes a trustee, receiver, assignee, or personal representative of them.
(D) "Taxicab" means a motor vehicle for hire (other than a vehicle operated under a certificate of Authority issued by the Commission) having a seating capacity of nine persons or less, including the driver, used to accept or solicit passengers along the public streets for transportation.
General Duties of Carriers.
5. Each authorized carrier shall:
(A) Provide safe and adequate transportation service, equipment, and facilities; and
(B) Observe and enforce Commission regulations established under this Act.
Certificates of Authority.
6. (A) A person may not engage in transportation subject to this Act unless there is in force a "certificate of Authority" issued by the Commission authorizing the person to engage in that transportation.
(B) On the effective date of this Act a person engaged in transportation subject to this Act under an existing "certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity" or order issued by the Commission shall be issued a new "certificate of Authority" within 120 days after the effective date of this amendment.
(C) (I) Pending issuance of the new certificate of Authority, the continuance of operations shall be permitted under an existing certificate or order issued by the Commission which will continue in effect on the effective date of this Act.
(II) The operations described in paragraph (I) of this subsection shall be performed according to the rates, regulations, and practices of the certificate holder on file with the Commission on the effective date of this Act.
7. (A) When an application is made under this section for a certificate of Authority, the Commission shall issue a certificate to any qualified applicant, authorizing all or any part of the transportation covered by the application, if it finds that:
(I) The applicant is fit, willing, and able to perform that transportation properly, conform to the provisions of this Act, and conform to the rules, regulations and requirements of the Commission; and
(II) That the transportation is consistent with the public interest.
(B) If the Commission finds that the requirements of subsection (A) of this section have not been met, the application shall be denied by the Commission.
(C) The Commission shall act upon applications under this Act as soon as possible.
(D) The Commission may attach to the issuance of a certificate and to the exercise of the rights granted under it any term, condition, or limitation that is consistent with the public interest.
(E) A term, condition, or limitation imposed by the Commission may not restrict the right of a carrier to add to equipment and facilities over the routes or within the territory specified in the certificate, as business development and public demand may require.
(F) A person applying for or holding a certificate of Authority shall comply with Commission regulations regarding maintenance of a surety bond, insurance policy, self-insurance qualification, or other security or agreement in an amount that the Commission may require to pay any final judgment against a carrier for bodily injury or death of a person, or for loss or damage to property of another, resulting from the operation, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle or other equipment in performing transportation subject to this Act.
(G) A certificate of Authority is not valid unless the holder is in compliance with the insurance requirements of the Commission.
8. Application to the Commission for a certificate under this Act shall be:
(A) Made in writing;
(B) Verified; and
(C) In the form and with the information that the Commission regulations require.
9. (A) A certificate of Authority issued by the Commission shall specify the route over which a regularly scheduled commuter service or other regular-route service will operate.
(B) A certificate issued by the Commission authorizing irregular-route service shall be coextensive with the Metropolitan District.
(C) A carrier subject to this Act may not provide any passenger transportation for hire on an individual fare paying basis in competition with an existing, scheduled, regular-route, passenger transportation service performed by, or under a contract with, the federal government, a signatory to the Compact, a political subdivision of a signatory, or the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, notwithstanding any "Certificate of Authority."
(D) A certificate for the transportation of passengers may include authority to transport newspapers, passenger baggage, express, or mail in the same vehicle, or to transport passenger baggage in a separate vehicle.
10. (A) Certificates shall be effective from the date specified on them and shall remain in effect until amended, suspended, or terminated.
(B) Upon application by the holder of a certificate, the Commission may suspend, amend, or terminate the Certificate of Authority.
(C) Upon complaint or the Commission's own initiative, the Commission, after notice and hearing, may suspend or revoke all or part of any Certificate of Authority for willful failure to comply with:
(I) A provision of this Act;
(II) An order, rule, or regulation of the Commission; or
(III) A term, condition, or limitation of the certificate.
(D) The Commission may direct that a carrier cease an operation conducted under a certificate if the Commission finds the operation, after notice and hearing, to be inconsistent with the public interest.
11. (A) A person may not transfer a Certificate of Authority unless the Commission approves the transfer as consistent with the public interest.
(B) A person other than the person to whom an operating authority is issued by the Commission may not lease, rent, or otherwise use that operating authority.
12. (A) A carrier may not abandon any scheduled commuter service operated under a Certificate of Authority issued to the carrier under this Act, unless the Commission authorizes the carrier to do so by a Commission order.
(B) Upon application by a carrier, the Commission shall issue an order, after notice and hearing, if it finds that abandonment of the route is consistent with the public interest.
(C) The Commission, by regulation or otherwise, may authorize the temporary suspension of a route if it is consistent with the public interest.
(D) As long as the carrier has an opportunity to earn a reasonable return in all its operations, the fact that a carrier is operating a service at a loss will not, of itself, determine the question of whether abandonment of service is consistent with the public interest.
13. (A) When the Commission finds that there is an immediate need for service that is not available, the Commission may grant temporary authority for that service without a hearing or other proceeding up to a maximum of 180 consecutive days, unless suspended or revoked for good cause.
(B) A grant of temporary authority does not create any presumption that permanent authority will be granted at a later date.
Rates and Tariffs.
14. (A) Each carrier shall file with the Commission, publish, and keep available for public inspection tariffs showing:
(I) Fixed-rates and fixed-fares for transportation subject to this Act; and
(II) Practices and regulations, including those affecting rates and fares, required by the Commission.
(B) Each effective tariff shall:
(I) Remain in effect for at least 60 days from its effective date, unless the Commission orders otherwise; and
(II) Be published and kept available for public inspection in the form and manner prescribed by the Commission.
(C) A carrier may not charge a rate or fare for transportation subject to this Act other than the applicable rate or fare specified in a tariff filed by the carrier under this Act and in effect at the time.
15. (A) A carrier proposing to change a rate, fare, regulation, or practice specified in an effective tariff shall file a tariff showing the change in the form and manner, and with the information, justification, notice, and supporting material prescribed by the Commission.
(B) Each tariff filed under subsection (A) of this section shall state a date on which the tariff shall take effect, which shall be at least seven calendar days after the date on which the tariff is filed, unless the Commission orders an earlier effective date or rejects the tariff.
(C) (I) A tariff filed for approval with the Commission may be refused acceptance for filing if it is not consistent with this Act and Commission regulations; and
(II) A tariff refused for filing shall be void.
16. (A) The Commission may hold a hearing upon complaint or upon the Commission's own initiative after reasonable notice to determine whether a rate, fare, regulation, or practice relating to a tariff is unjust, unreasonable, unduly discriminatory, or unduly preferential between classes of riders or between locations within the Metropolitan District.
(B) Within 120 days of the hearing, the Commission shall pass an order prescribing the lawful rate, fare, regulation, or practice, or affirming the tariff.
Through Routes, Joint Fares.
17. With the approval of the Commission, any carrier subject to this Act may establish through routes and joint fares with any other lawfully authorized carrier.
Taxicab Fares.
18. (A) the Commission shall prescribe reasonable rates for transportation by taxicab, only when:
(I) The trip is between a point in the jurisdiction of one signatory and a point in the jurisdiction of another signatory; and
(II) Both points are within the Metropolitan District.
(B) The fare or charge for taxicab transportation may be calculated on a mileage basis, a zone basis, or on any other basis approved by the Commission.
(C) The Commission may not require the installation of a taximeter in any taxicab when a taximeter is not permitted or required by the jurisdiction licensing and otherwise regulating the operation and service of the taxicab.
(D) A person licensed by a signatory to own or operate a taxicab shall comply with Commission regulations regarding maintenance of a surety bond, insurance policy, self-insurance qualification, or other security or agreement in an amount that the Commission may require to pay a final judgment for bodily injury or death of a person, or for loss or damage to property of another, resulting from the operation, maintenance, or use of a taxicab in performing transportation subject to this Act.
Article XII.
Accounts, Records, and Reports.
1. (A) The Commission may prescribe that any carrier subject to this Act:
(I) Submit special reports and annual or other periodic reports;
(II) Make reports in a form and manner required by the Commission;
(III) Provide a detailed answer to any question about which the Commission requires information;
(IV) Submit reports and answers under oath; and
(V) Keep accounts, records, and memoranda of its activity, including movement of traffic and receipt and expenditure of money in a form and for a period required by the Commission.
(B) The Commission shall have access at all times to the accounts, records, memoranda, lands, buildings, and equipment of any carrier for inspection purposes.
(C) This section shall apply to any person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with a carrier subject to this Act, whether or not that person otherwise is subject to this Act.
(D) A carrier that has its principal office outside of the Metropolitan District J operates both inside and outside of the Metropolitan District may keep all accounts, records, and memoranda at its principal office, but the carrier shall produce those materials before the Commission when directed by the Commission.
(E) This section does not relieve a carrier from recordkeeping or reporting obligations imposed by a state or federal agency or regulatory commission for transportation service rendered outside the Metropolitan District.
Issuance of Securities.
2. This Act does not impair any authority of the federal government and the signatories to regulate the issuance of securities by a carrier.
Consolidations, Mergers, and Acquisition of Control.
3. (A) A carrier or any person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with a carrier shall obtain Commission approval to;
(I) Consolidate or merge any part of the ownership, management, or operation of its property or franchise with a carrier that operates in the Metropolitan District;
(II) Purchase, lease, or contract to operate a substantial part of the property or franchise of another carrier that operates in the Metropolitan District; or
(III) Acquire control of another carrier that operates in the Metropolitan District through ownership of its stock or other means.
(B) Application for Commission approval of a transaction under this section shall be made in the form and with the information that the regulations of the Commission require.
(C) If the Commission finds, after notice and hearing, that the proposed transaction is consistent with the public interest, the Commission shall pass an order authorizing the transaction.
(D) Pending determination of an application filed under this section, the Commission may grant "temporary approval" without a hearing or other proceeding up to a maximum of 180 consecutive days if the Commission determines that grant to be consistent with the public interest.
Article XIII.
Investigations by the Commission and Complaints.
1. (A) A person may file a written complaint with the Commission regarding anything done or omitted by a person in violation of a provision of this Act, or in violation of a requirement established under it.
(B) (I) If the respondent does not satisfy the complaint and the facts suggest that there are reasonable grounds for an investigation, the Commission shall investigate the matter.
(II) If the Commission determines that a complaint does not state facts which warrant action, the Commission may dismiss the complaint without hearing.
(III) The Commission shall notify a respondent that a complaint has been filed at least ten days before a hearing is set on the complaint.
(C) The Commission may investigate on its own motion a fact, condition, practice, or matter to;
(I) Determine whether a person has violated or will violate a provision of this Act or a rule, regulation, or order;
(II) Enforce the provisions of this Act or prescribe or enforce rules or regulations under it; or
(III) Obtain information to recommend further legislation.
(D) If, after hearing, the Commission finds that a respondent has violated a provision of this Act or any requirement established under it, the Commission shall;
(I) Issue an order to compel the respondent to comply with this Act; and
(II) Effect other just and reasonable relief.
(E) For the purpose of an investigation or other proceeding under this Act, the Commission may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, take evidence, and require the production of books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, contracts, agreements, or other records or evidence which the Commission considers relevant to the inquiry.
Hearings; Rules of Procedure.
2. (A) Hearings under this Act shall be held before the Commission, and records shall be kept.
(B) Rules of practice and procedure adopted by the Commission shall govern all hearings, investigations, and proceedings under this Act, but the Commission may apply the technical rules of evidence when appropriate.
Administrative powers of Commission; Rules, Regulations, and Orders.
3. (A) The Commission shall perform any act, and prescribe, issue, make, amend, or rescind any order, rule, or regulation that it finds necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
(B) The rules and regulations of the Commission shall prescribe the form of any statement, declaration, application, or report filed with the Commission, the information it shall contain, and the time of filing.
(C) The rules and regulations of the Commission shall be effective thirty days after publication in the manner which the Commission shall prescribe, unless a different date is specified.
(D) Orders of the Commission shall be effective on the date and in the manner which the Commission shall prescribe.
(E) For the purposes of its rules and regulations, the Commission may classify persons and matters within its jurisdiction and prescribe different requirements for them.
(F) Commission rules and regulations shall be available for public inspection during reasonable business hours.
Reconsideration of Orders.
4. (A) A party to a proceeding affected by a final order or decision of the Commission may file within thirty days of its publication a written application requesting Commission reconsideration of the matter involved, and stating specifically the errors claimed as grounds for the reconsideration.
(B) The Commission shall grant or deny the application within thirty days after it has been filed.
(C) If the Commission does not grant or deny the application by order within thirty days, the application shall be deemed denied.
(D) If the application is granted, the Commission shall rescind, modify, or affirm its order or decision with or without a hearing, after giving notice to all parties.
(E) Filing an application for reconsideration may not act as a stay upon the execution of a Commission order or decision, or any part of it unless the Commission orders otherwise.
(F) An appeal may not be taken from an order or decision of the Commission until an application for reconsideration has been filed and determined.
(G) Only an error specified as a ground for reconsideration may be used as a ground for judicial review.
Judicial Review.
5. (A) Any party to a proceeding under this Act may obtain a review of the Commission's order in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, or in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, by filing within sixty days after Commission determination of an application for reconsideration, a written petition praying that the order of the Commission be modified or set aside.
(B) A copy of the petition shall be delivered to the office of the Commission and the Commission shall certify and file with the court a transcript of the record upon which the Commission order was entered.
(C) The court shall have exclusive jurisdiction to affirm, modify, remand for reconsideration, or set aside the Commission's order.
(D) The court's judgment shall be final, subject to review by the Supreme Court of the United States upon certiorari or certification as provided in Title 28 U.S.C. §§ 1254 and 2350.
(E) The commencement of proceedings under subsection (A) of this section may not operate as a stay of the Commission's order unless specifically ordered by the court.
(F) The Commission and its members, officers, agents, employees, or representatives are not liable to suit or action or for any judgment or decree for damages, loss, or injury resulting from action taken under the Act, nor required in any case arising or any appeal taken under this Act to make a deposit, pay costs, or pay for service to the clerks of a court or to the marshal of the United States or give a supersedeas bond or security for damages.
Enforcement of Act; Penalty for Violations.
6. (A) Whenever the Commission determines that a person is engaged or will engage in an act or practice which violates a provision of this Act or a rule, regulation, or order under it, the Commission may bring an action in the United States District Court in the district in which the person resides or conducts business or in which the violation occurred to enjoin the act or practice and to enforce compliance with this Act or a rule, regulation, or order under it.
(B) If the court makes a determination under subsection (A) of this section, that a person has violated or will violate this Act or a rule, regulation, or order under the Act, the court shall grant a permanent or temporary injunction or decree or restraining order without bond.
(C) Upon application of the Commission, the United States District Court for the district in which the person resides or conducts business, or in which the violation occurred, shall have jurisdiction to issue an order directing that person to comply with the provisions of this Act or a rule, regulation, or order of the Commission under it, and to effect other just and reasonable relief.
(D) The Commission may employ attorneys necessary for:
(I) The conduct of its work;
(II) Representation of the public interest in Commission investigations, cases or proceedings on the Commission's own initiative or upon complaint; or
(III) Representation of the Commission in any court case.
(E) The expenses of employing an attorney shall be paid out of the funds of the Commission, unless otherwise directed by the court.
(F)(I) A person who knowingly and willfully violates a provision of this Act, or a rule, regulation, requirement, or order issued under it, or a term or condition of a certificate shall be subject to a civil forfeiture of not more than $1,000 for the first violation and not more than $5,000 for any subsequent violation.
(II) Each day of the violation shall constitute a separate violation.
(III) Civil forfeitures shall be paid to the Commission with interest as assessed by the court.
(IV) The Commission shall pay to each signatory a share of the civil forfeitures and interest equal to the proportional share of the Commission's expenses borne by each signatory in the fiscal year during which the civil forfeiture is collected by the Commission.
Article XIV.
Expenses of Investigations and Other Proceedings.
1. (A) A carrier shall bear all expenses of an investigation or other proceeding conducted by the Commission concerning the carrier, and all litigation expenses, including appeals, arising from an investigation or other proceeding.
(B) When the Commission initiates an investigation or other proceeding, the Commission may require the carrier to pay to the Commission a sum estimated to cover the expenses that will be incurred under this section.
(C) Money paid by the carrier shall be deposited in the name and to the credit of the Commission, in any bank or other depository located in the Metropolitan District designated by the Commission, and the Commission may disburse that money to defray expenses of the investigation, proceeding, or litigation in question.
(D) The Commission shall return to the carrier any unexpended balance remaining after payment of expenses.
Applicability of Other Laws.
2. (A) The applicability of each law, rule, regulation, or order of a signatory relating to transportation subject to this Act shall be suspended on the effective date of this Act.
(B) The provisions of subsection (A) of this section do not apply to a law of a signatory relating to inspection of equipment and facilities.
(C) During the existence of the Compact, the jurisdiction of the Interstate Commerce Commission is suspended to the extent it is in conflict with the provisions of this Act.
Existing Rules, Regulations, Orders, and Decisions.
3. All Commission rules, regulations, orders, or decisions that are in force on the effective date of this Act shall remain in effect and be enforceable under this Act, unless otherwise provided by the Commission.
Pending Actions or Proceedings.
4. A suit, action, or other judicial proceeding commenced prior to the effective date of this Act by or against the Commission is not affected by the enactment of this Act and shall be prosecuted and determined under the law applicable at the time the proceeding was commenced.
Annual Report of the Commission.
5. The Commission shall make an annual report for each fiscal year ending June 30, to the Governor of Virginia and the Governor of Maryland, and to the Mayor of the District of Columbia as soon as practicable after June 30, but no later than the first day of January of each year, which may contain, in addition to a report of the work performed under this Act, other information and recommendations concerning passenger transportation within the Metropolitan District as the Commission considers advisable.
1958, c. 627; 1988, c. 890; 2007, c. 378; 2009, c. 540, § 56-530; 2014, c. 805.
Chapter 31. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Compact of 1966.
§ 33.2-3100. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Compact of 1966.§ 3. Whereas, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia heretofore have entered into the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Regulation Compact (Virginia—Ch. 627, 1958 Acts of Assembly; Maryland—Ch. 613, Acts of General Assembly 1959; District of Columbia—Resolution of the Board of Commissioners adopted December 22, 1960), with the consent of the Congress (J.R., September 15, 1960, P.L., 86-794, 74 Stat. 1031, as amended by 76 Stat. 764), as a first step toward the improvement of transit service in the metropolitan area of Washington, D.C.;
Whereas, in said Compact each of the Signatories pledged to each of the other signatory parties faithful cooperation in the solution and control of transit and traffic problems within said metropolitan area and, in order to effect such purposes, agreed to enact any necessary legislation to achieve the objectives of the Compact to the mutual benefit of the citizens living within said metropolitan area and for the advancement of the interests of the Signatories;
Whereas, it has been established by a decade of studies that a regional system of improved and expanded transit facilities, including grade-separated rail facilities in congested areas, is essential in said metropolitan area for the satisfactory movement of people and goods, the alleviation of present and future traffic congestion, the economic welfare and vitality of all parts of the area, the effectiveness of the departments and agencies of the federal government located within the area, the orderly growth and development of the District of Columbia and the Maryland and Virginia portions of the area, the comfort and convenience of the residents of and visitors to the area, and the preservation of the beauty and dignity of the Nation's Capital;
Whereas, the Congress has authorized Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia to negotiate a Compact for the establishment of an organization empowered to provide necessary transit facilities (P.L. 86-669, 74 Stat. 537) and in said legislation declared the policy, inter alia, that the development and administration of such transit facilities requires (1) cooperation among the federal, state and local government of the area, (2) financial participation by the federal government in the creation of major facilities that are beyond the financial capacity or borrowing powers of the private carriers, the District of Columbia and the local governments of the area, and (3) coordination of transit facilities with other public facilities and with the use of land, public and private;
Whereas, private transit companies should be utilized to the extent practicable in providing the regional transit facilities and services, consistent with the requirements of the public interest that the publicly and privately owned facilities be operated as a coordinated regional system without unnecessary duplicating services;
Whereas, adequate provision should be made for the protection of transit labor in the development and operation of the regional system;
Whereas, adequate provisions should be made to eliminate any requirement of additional authentication of manual signature of bonds guaranteed by the United States of America; and
Whereas, it is hereby determined that an Authority to be created by interstate compact between the District of Columbia, the State of Maryland and the Commonwealth of Virginia, is the most suitable form of organization to achieve the stated objectives;
Now, therefore, the District of Columbia, the State of Maryland and the Commonwealth of Virginia, hereinafter referred to as Signatories, do hereby amend the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Regulation Compact by adding thereto Title III, as hereinafter set forth, and do hereby covenant and agree substantially, as follows:
Title III
Article I Definitions
Definitions
1. As used in this Title, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly requires a different meaning:
(a) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority;
(b) "Director" means a member of the Board of Directors of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority;
(c) "Private transit companies" and "private carriers" means corporations, persons, firms or associations rendering transit service within the Zone pursuant to a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission or by a franchise granted by the United States or any Signatory party to this Title;
(d) "Signatory" means the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia;
(e) "State" includes District of Columbia;
(f) "Transit facilities" means all real and personal property located in the Zone, necessary or useful in rendering transit service between points within the Zone, by means of rail, bus, water or air and any other mode of travel, including, without limitation, tracks, rights-of-way, bridges, tunnels, subways, rolling stock for rail, motor vehicle, marine and air transportation, stations, terminals and ports, areas for parking and all equipment, fixtures, buildings and structures and services incidental to or required in connection with the performance of transit service;
(g) "Transit services" means the transportation of persons and their packages and baggage by means of transit facilities between points within the Zone including the transportation of newspapers, express and mail between such points, and charter service which originates within the Zone but does not include taxicab service or individual-ticket-sales sightseeing operations;
(h) "Transit Zone" or "Zone" means the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Zone created and described in Section 3 as well as any additional area that may be added pursuant to Section 83(a) of this Compact; and
(i) "WMATC" means Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission.
Article II Purpose and Functions
Purpose
2. The purpose of this Title is to create a regional instrumentality, as a common agency of each Signatory party, empowered, in the manner hereinafter set forth, (1) to plan, develop, finance and cause to be operated improved transit facilities, in coordination with transportation and general development planning for the Zone, as part of a balanced regional system of transportation, utilizing to their best advantage the various modes of transportation, (2) to coordinate the operation of the public and privately owned or controlled transit facilities, to the fullest extent practicable, into a unified regional transit system without unnecessary duplicating service, and (3) to serve such other regional purposes and to perform such other regional functions as the Signatories may authorize by appropriate legislation.
Article III Organization and Area
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Zone
3. There is hereby created the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Zone which shall embrace the District of Columbia, the Cities of Alexandria, Falls Church and Fairfax and the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun and political subdivisions of the Commonwealth of Virginia located within those counties, and the counties of Montgomery and Prince George's in the State of Maryland and political subdivisions of the State of Maryland located in said counties.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
4. There is hereby created, as an instrumentality and agency of each of the Signatory parties hereto, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority which shall be a body corporate and politic, and which shall have the powers and duties granted herein and such additional powers as may hereafter be conferred upon it pursuant to law.
Board Membership
5. (a) The Authority shall be governed by a Board of eight Directors consisting of two Directors for each Signatory and two for the federal government (one of whom shall be a regular passenger and customer of the bus or rail service of the Authority). For Virginia, the Directors shall be appointed by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission; for the District of Columbia by the Council of the District of Columbia; for Maryland, by the Washington Suburban Transit Commission; and for the federal government, by the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation. For Virginia and Maryland, the Directors shall be appointed from among the members of the appointing body, except as otherwise provided herein, and shall serve for a term coincident with their term on the appointing body. A Director for a Signatory may be removed or suspended from office only as provided by the law of the Signatory from which he was appointed. The nonfederal appointing authorities shall also appoint an alternate for each Director. In addition, the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation shall also appoint two nonvoting members who shall serve as the alternates for the federal Directors. An alternate Director may act only in the absence of the Director for whom he has been appointed an alternate, except that, in the case of the District of Columbia where only one Director and his alternate are present, such alternate may act on behalf of the absent Director. Each alternate, including the federal nonvoting Directors, shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. In the event of a vacancy in the office of Director or alternate, it shall be filled in the same manner as an original appointment.
(b) Before entering upon the duties of his office each Director and alternate director shall take and subscribe to the following oath (or affirmation) of office or any such other oath or affirmation, if any, as the Constitution or laws of the Government he represents shall provide:
"I, ____________________, hereby solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and Laws of the state or political jurisdiction from which I was appointed as a Director (alternate director) of the Board of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and will faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter."
Compensation of Directors and Alternates
6. Members of the Board and alternates shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred as an incident to the performance of their duties.
Organization and Procedure
7. The Board shall provide for its own organization and procedure. It shall organize annually by the election of a Chairman and Vice-Chairman from among its members. Meetings of the Board shall be held as frequently as the Board deems that the proper performance of its duties requires and the Board shall keep minutes of its meetings. The Board shall adopt rules and regulations governing its meeting, minutes and transactions.
Quorum and Actions by the Board
8. (a) Four Directors or alternates consisting of at least one Director or alternate appointed from each Signatory, shall constitute a quorum and no action by the Board shall be effective unless a majority of the Board present and voting, which majority shall include at least one Director or alternate from each Signatory, concur therein; provided, however, that a plan of financing may be adopted or a mass transit plan adopted, altered, revised or amended by the unanimous vote of the Directors representing any two Signatories.
(b) The actions of the Board shall be expressed by motion or resolution. Actions dealing solely with internal management of the Authority shall become effective when directed by the Board, but no other action shall become effective prior to the expiration of thirty days following its adoption; provided, however, that the Board may provide for the acceleration of any action upon a finding that such acceleration is required for the proper and timely performance of its functions.
Officers
9. (a) The officers of the Authority, none of whom shall be members of the Board, shall consist of a general manager, a secretary, a treasurer, a comptroller, an inspector general, and a general counsel and such other officers as the Board may provide. Except for the office of general manager, inspector general, and comptroller, the Board may consolidate any of such other offices in one person. All such officers shall be appointed and may be removed by the Board, shall serve at the pleasure of the Board and shall perform such duties and functions as the Board shall specify. The Board shall fix and determine the compensation to be paid to all officers and, except for the general manager who shall be a full-time employee, all other officers may be hired on a full-time or part-time basis and may be compensated on a salary or fee basis, as the Board may determine. All employees and such officers as the Board may designate shall be appointed and removed by the general manager under such rules of procedure and standards as the Board may determine.
(b) The general manager shall be the chief administrative officer of the Authority and, subject to policy direction by the Board, shall be responsible for all activities of the Authority.
(c) The treasurer shall be the custodian of the funds of the Authority, shall keep an account of all receipts and disbursements and shall make payments only upon warrants duly and regularly signed by the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Board, or other person authorized by the Board to do so, and by the secretary or general manager; provided, however, that the Board may provide that warrants not exceeding such amounts or for such purposes as may from time to time be specified by the Board may be signed by the general manager or by persons designated by him.
(d) The inspector general shall report to the Board and head the Office of the Inspector General, an independent and objective unit of the Authority that conducts and supervises audits, program evaluations, and investigations relating to Authority activities; promotes economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in Authority activities; detects and prevents fraud and abuse in Authority activities; and keeps the Board fully and currently informed about deficiencies in Authority activities as well as the necessity for and progress of corrective action.
(e) An oath of office in the form set out in § 5 (b) of this Article shall be taken, subscribed and filed with the Board by all appointed officers.
(f) Each Director, officer and employee specified by the Board shall give such bond in such form and amount as the Board may require, the premium for which shall be paid by the Authority.
Conflict of Interest
10. (a) No Director, officer or employee shall:
(1) be financially interested, either directly or indirectly, in any contract, sale, purchase, lease or transfer of real or personal property to which the Board or the Authority is a party;
(2) in connection with services performed within the scope of his official duties, solicit or accept money or any other thing of value in addition to the compensation or expenses paid to him by the Authority;
(3a) offer money or any thing of value for or in consideration of obtaining an appointment, promotion or privilege in his employment with the Authority.
(b) Any Director, officer or employee who shall willfully violate any provision of this section shall, in the discretion of the Board, forfeit his office or employment.
(c) Any contract or agreement made in contravention of this section may be declared void by the Board.
(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to abrogate or limit the applicability of any federal or state law which may be violated by any action prescribed by this section.
Article IV Pledge of Cooperation
11. Each Signatory pledges to each other faithful cooperation in the achievement of the purposes and objects of this Title.
Article V General Powers
Enumeration
12. In addition to the powers and duties elsewhere described in this Title, and except as limited in this Title, the Authority may:
(a) Sue and be sued;
(b) Adopt and use a corporate seal and alter the same at pleasure;
(c) Adopt, amend, and repeal rules and regulations respecting the exercise of the powers conferred by this Title;
(d) Construct, acquire, own, operate, maintain, control, sell and convey real and personal property and any interest therein by contract, purchase, condemnation, lease, license, mortgage or otherwise but all of said property shall be located in the Zone and shall be necessary or useful in rendering transit service or in activities incidental thereto;
(e) Receive and accept such payments, appropriations, grants, gifts, loans, advances and other funds, properties and services as may be transferred or made available to it by any Signatory party, any political subdivision or agency thereof, by the United States, or by any agency thereof, or by any other public or private corporation or individual, and enter into agreements to make reimbursement for all or any part thereof;
(f) Enter into and perform contracts, leases and agreements with any person, firm or corporation or with any political subdivision or agency of any Signatory party or with the federal government, or any agency thereof, including, but not limited to, contracts or agreements to furnish transit facilities and service;
(g) Create and abolish offices, employments and positions (other than those specifically provided for herein) as it deems necessary for the purposes of the Authority, and fix and provide for the qualification, appointment, removal, term, tenure, compensation, pension and retirement rights of its officers and employees without regard to the laws of any of the Signatories;
(h) Establish, in its discretion, a personnel system based on merit and fitness and, subject to eligibility, participate in the pension and retirement plans of any Signatory, or political subdivision or agency thereof, upon terms and conditions mutually acceptable;
(i) Contract for or employ any professional services;
(j) Control and regulate the use of facilities owned or controlled by the Authority, the service to be rendered and the fares and charges to be made therefor;
(k) Hold public hearings and conduct investigations relating to any matter affecting transportation in the Zone with which the Authority is concerned and, in connection therewith, subpoena witnesses, papers, records and documents; or delegate such authority to any officer. Each Director may administer oaths or affirmations in any proceeding or investigation;
(l) Make or participate in studies of all phases and forms of transportation, including transportation vehicle research and development techniques and methods for determining traffic projections, demand motivations, and fiscal research and publicize and make available the results of such studies and other information relating to transportation;
(m) Exercise, subject to the limitations and restrictions herein imposed, all powers reasonably necessary or essential to the declared objects and purposes of this Title; and
(n) Establish regulations providing for public access to Board records.
Article VI Planning
Mass Transit Plan
13. (a) The Board shall develop and adopt, and may from time to time review and revise, a mass transit plan for the immediate and long-range needs of the Zone. The mass transit plan shall include one or more plans designating (1) the transit facilities to be provided by the Authority, including the locations of terminals, stations, platforms, parking facilities and the character and nature thereof; (2) the design and location of such facilities; (3) whether such facilities are to be constructed or acquired by lease, purchase or condemnation; (4) a timetable for the provision of such facilities; (5) the anticipated capital cost; (6) estimated operating expenses and revenues relating thereto; and (7) the various other factors and considerations, which, in the opinion of the Board, justify and require the projects therein proposed. Such plan shall specify the type of equipment to be utilized, the areas to be served, the routes and schedules of service expected to be provided and probable fares and charges therefor.
(b) In preparing the mass transit plan, and in any review or revision thereof, the Board shall make full utilization of all data, studies, reports and information available from the National Capital Transportation Agency and from any other agencies of the federal government, and from Signatories and the political subdivisions thereof.
Planning Process
14. (a) The mass transit plan, and any revisions, alterations or amendments thereof, shall be coordinated, through the procedures hereinafter set forth, with
(1) other plans and programs affecting transportation in the Zone in order to achieve a balanced system of transportation, utilizing each mode to its best advantage;
(2) the general plan or plans for the development of the Zone; and
(3) the development plans of the various political subdivisions embraced within the Zone.
(b) It shall be the duty and responsibility of each member of the Board to serve as liaison between the Board and the body which appointed him to the Board. To provide a framework for regional participation in the planning process, the Board shall create technical committees concerned with planning and collection and analyses of data relative to decision-making in the transportation planning process and the Mayor and Council of the District of Columbia, the component governments of the Northern Virginia Transportation District and the Washington Suburban Transit District shall appoint representatives to such technical committees and otherwise cooperate with the Board in the formulation of a mass transit plan, or in revisions, alterations or amendments thereof.
(c) The Board, in the preparation, revision, alteration or amendment of a mass transit plan, shall
(1) consider data with respect to current and prospective conditions in the Zone, including, without limitation, land use, population, economic factors affecting development plans, goals or objectives for the development of the Zone and the separate political subdivisions, transit demands to be generated by such development, travel patterns, existing and proposed transportation and transit facilities, impact of transit plans on the dislocation of families and businesses, preservation of the beauty and dignity of the Nation's Capital, factors affecting environmental amenities and aesthetics and financial resources;
(2) cooperate with and participate in any continuous, comprehensive transportation planning process cooperatively established by the highway agencies of the Signatories and the local political subdivisions in the Zone to meet the planning standards now or hereafter prescribed by the Federal-Aid Highway Acts; and
(3) to the extent not inconsistent with or duplicative of the planning process specified in subdivision (2) of this subsection (c), cooperate with the National Capital Planning Commission, the National Capital Regional Planning Council, the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission, the highway agencies of the Signatories, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the Northern Virginia Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission, the Maryland State Planning Department and the Commission of Fine Arts. Such cooperation shall include the creation, as necessary, of technical committees composed of personnel, appointed by such agencies, concerned with planning and collection and analysis of data relative to decision-making in the transportation planning process.
Adoption of Mass Transit Plan
15. (a) Before a mass transit plan is adopted, altered, revised or amended, the Board shall transmit such proposed plan, alteration, revision or amendment for comment to the following and to such other agencies as the Board shall determine:
(1) the Mayor and Council of the District of Columbia, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission and the Washington Suburban Transit Commission;
(2) the governing bodies of the counties and cities embraced within the Zone;
(3) the transportation agencies of the Signatories;
(4) the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission;
(5) the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments;
(6) the National Capital Planning Commission;
(7) the National Capital Regional Planning Council;
(8) the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission;
(9) the Northern Virginia Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission;
(10) the Maryland State Planning Department; and
(11) the private transit companies operating in the Zone and the Labor Unions representing the employees of such companies and employees of contractors providing services under operating contracts.
(b) A copy of the proposed mass transit plan, amendment or revision, shall be kept at the office of the Board and shall be available for public inspection. Information with respect thereto shall be released to the public. After thirty days' notice published once a week for two successive weeks in one or more newspapers of general circulation within the Zone, a public hearing shall be held with respect to the proposed plan, alteration, revision or amendment. The thirty days' notice shall begin to run on the first day the notice appears in any such newspaper. The Board shall consider the evidence submitted and statements and comments made at such hearing and may make any changes in the proposed plan, amendment or revision which it deems appropriate and such changes may be made without further hearing.
Article VII Financing
Policy
16. With due regard for the policy of Congress for financing a mass transit plan for the Zone set forth in Section 204 (g) of the National Capital Transportation Act of 1960 (74 Stat. 537), it is hereby declared to be the policy of this Title that, as far as possible, the payment of all costs shall be borne by the persons using or benefiting from the Authority's facilities and services and any remaining costs shall be equitably shared among the federal, District of Columbia and participating local governments in the Zone. The allocation among such governments of such remaining cost shall be determined by agreement among them and shall be provided in the manner hereinafter specified.
Plan of Financing
17. (a) The Authority, in conformance with said policy, shall prepare and adopt a plan for financing the construction, acquisition and operation of facilities specified in a mass transit plan adopted pursuant to Article VI hereof, or in any alteration, revision or amendment thereof. Such plan of financing shall specify the facilities to be constructed or acquired, the cost thereof, the principal amount of revenue bonds, equipment trust certificates and other evidences of debt proposed to be issued, the principal terms and provisions of all loans and underlying agreements and indentures, estimated operating expenses and revenues and the proposed allocation among the federal, District of Columbia and participating local governments of the remaining costs and deficits, if any, and such other information as the Commission may consider appropriate.
(b) Such plan of financing shall constitute a proposal to the interested governments for financial participation and shall not impose any obligation on any government and such obligations shall be created only as provided in § 18 of this Article VII.
Commitments for Financial Participation
18. (a) Commitments on behalf of the portion of the Zone located in Virginia shall be by contract or agreement by the Authority with the Northern Virginia Transportation District, or its component governments, as authorized in the Transportation District Act of 1964 (Ch. 631, 1964 Virginia Acts of Assembly), to contribute to the capital required for the construction and/or acquisition of facilities specified in a mass transit plan adopted as provided in Article VI, or any alteration, revision or amendment thereof, and for meeting expenses and obligations in the operation of such facilities. No such contract or agreement, however, shall be entered into by the Authority with the Northern Virginia Transportation District unless said District has entered into the contracts or agreements with its member governments, as contemplated by § 1 (b)(4) of Article 4 of said Act, which contracts or agreements expressly provide that such contracts or agreements shall inure to the benefit of the Authority and shall be enforceable by the Authority in accordance with the provisions of § 2, Article 5 of said Act, and such contracts or agreements are acceptable to the Board. The General Assembly of Virginia hereby authorizes and designates the Authority as the agency to plan for and provide transit facilities and services for the area of Virginia encompassed within the Zone within the contemplation of Article 1, § 3 (c) of said Act.
(b) Commitments on behalf of the portion of the Zone located in Maryland shall be by contract or agreement by the Authority with the Washington Suburban Transit District, pursuant to which the Authority undertakes to provide transit facilities and service in consideration for the agreement by said District to contribute to the capital required for the construction and/or acquisition of facilities specified in a mass transit plan adopted as provided in Article VI, or in any alteration, revision or amendment thereof, and for meeting expenses and obligations incurred in the operation of such facilities.
(c) With respect to the federal government, the commitment or obligation to render financial assistance shall be created by appropriation or in such other manner, or by such other legislation, as the Congress shall determine. Commitments by the District of Columbia shall be by contract or agreement between the governing body of the District of Columbia and the Authority, pursuant to which the Authority undertakes, subject to the provisions of § 20 hereof, to provide transit facilities and service in consideration for the undertaking by the District of Columbia to contribute to the capital required for the construction and/or acquisition of facilities specified in a mass transit plan adopted as provided in Article VI, or in any alteration, revision or amendment thereof, and for meeting expenses and obligations incurred in the operation of such facilities.
(d) (1) All payments made by the local Signatory governments for the Authority for the purpose of matching federal funds appropriated in any given year as authorized under Title VI, § 601, P.L. 110-432 regarding funding of capital and preventive maintenance projects of the Authority shall be made from amounts derived from dedicated funding sources.
(2) For purposes of this paragraph (d), a "dedicated funding source" means any source of funding that is earmarked or required under state or local law to be used to match federal appropriations authorized under Title VI, § 601, P.L. 110-432 for payments to the Authority.
Administrative Expenses
19. Prior to the time the Authority has receipts from appropriations and contracts or agreements as provided in § 18 of this Article VII, the expenses of the Authority for administration and for preparation of a mass transit and financing plan, including all engineering, financial, legal and other services required in connection therewith, shall, to the extent funds for such expenses are not provided through grants by the federal government, be borne by the District of Columbia, by the Washington Suburban Transit District and the component governments of the Northern Virginia Transportation District. Such expenses shall be allocated among such governments on the basis of population as reflected by the latest available population statistics of the Bureau of the Census; provided, however, that upon the request of any director the Board shall make the allocation upon estimates of population acceptable to the Board. The allocations shall be made by the Board and shall be included in the annual current expense budget prepared by the Board.
Acquisition of Facilities from Federal or Other Agencies
20. (a) The Authority is authorized to acquire by purchase, lease or grant or in any manner other than condemnation, from the federal government or any agency thereof, from the District of Columbia, Maryland or Virginia, or any political subdivision or agency thereof, any transit and related facilities, including real and personal property and all other assets, located within the Zone, whether in operation or under construction. Such acquisition shall be made upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon and subject to such authorization or approval by the Congress and the governing body of the District of Columbia, as may be required; provided, however, that if such acquisition imposes or may impose any further or additional obligation or liability upon the Washington Suburban Transit District, the Northern Virginia Transportation District, or any component government thereof, under any contract with the Authority, the Authority shall not make the acquisition until any such affected contract has been appropriately amended.
(b) For such purpose, the Authority is authorized to assume all liabilities and contracts relating thereto, to assume responsibility as primary obligor, endorser or guarantor on any outstanding revenue bonds, equipment trust certificates or other form of indebtedness authorized in this Act issued by such predecessor agency or agencies and, in connection therewith, to become a party to, and assume the obligations of, any indenture or loan agreement underlying or issued in connection with any outstanding securities or debts.
Temporary Borrowing
21. The Board may borrow, in anticipation of receipts, from any Signatory, the Washington Suburban Transit District, the Northern Virginia Transportation District, or any component government thereof, or from any lending institution for any purposes of this Title, including administrative expenses. Such loans shall be for a term not to exceed two years and at such rates on interest as shall be acceptable to the Board. The Signatories and any such political subdivision or agency may, in its discretion, make such loans from any available money.
Funding
22. The Board shall not construct or acquire any of the transit facilities specified in a mass transit plan adopted pursuant to the provisions of Article VI of this Title, or in any alteration, revision or amendment thereof, nor make any commitments or incur any obligations with respect thereto until funds are available therefor.
Article VIII Budget
Capital Budget
23. The Board shall annually adopt a capital budget, including all capital projects it proposes to undertake or continue during the budget period, containing a statement of the estimated cost of each project and the method of financing thereof.
Current Expense Budget
24. The Board shall annually adopt a current expense budget for each fiscal year. Such budget shall include the Board's estimated expenditures for administration, operation, maintenance and repairs, debt service requirements and payments to be made into any funds required to be maintained. The total of such expenses shall be balanced by the Board's estimated revenues and receipts from all sources, excluding funds included in the capital budget or otherwise earmarked for other purposes.
Adoption and Distribution of Budgets
25. (a) Following the adoption by the Board of annual capital and current expense budgets, the general manager shall transmit certified copies of such budgets to the principal budget officer of the federal government, the District of Columbia, the Washington Suburban Transit District and of the component governments of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission at such time and in such manner as may be required under their respective budgetary procedures.
(b) Each budget shall indicate the amounts, if any, required from the federal government, the government of the District of Columbia, the Washington Suburban Transit District and the component governments of the Northern Virginia Transportation District, determined in accordance with the commitments made pursuant to Article VII, § 18 of this Title, to balance each of said budgets.
Payment
26. Subject to such review and approval as may be required by their budgetary or other applicable processes, the federal government, the Government of the District of Columbia, the Washington Suburban Transit District and the component governments of the Northern Virginia Transportation District shall include in their respective budgets next to be adopted and appropriate or otherwise provide the amounts certified to each of them as set forth in the budgets.
Article IX Revenue Bonds
Borrowing Power
27. The Authority may borrow money for any of the purposes of this Title, may issue its negotiable bonds and other evidences of indebtedness in respect thereto and may mortgage or pledge its properties, revenues and contracts as security therefor.
All such bonds and evidences of indebtedness shall be payable solely out of the properties and revenues of the Authority. The bonds and other obligations of the Authority, except as may be otherwise provided in the indenture under which they were issued, shall be direct and general obligations of the Authority and the full faith and credit of the Authority are hereby pledged for the prompt payment of the debt service thereon and for the fulfillment of all other undertakings of the Authority assumed by it to or for the benefit of the holders thereof.
Funds and Expenses
28. The purposes of this Title shall include, without limitation, all costs of any project or facility or any part thereof, including interest during a period of construction and for a period not to exceed two years thereafter and any incidental expenses (legal, engineering, fiscal, financial, consultant and other expenses) connected with issuing and disposing of the bonds; all amounts required for the creation of an operating fund, construction fund, reserve fund, sinking fund, or other special fund; all other expenses connected with administration, the planning, design, acquisition, construction, completion, improvement or reconstruction of any facility or any part thereof; and reimbursement of advances by the Board or by others for such purposes and for working capital.
Credit Excluded; Officers, State, Political Subdivisions and Agencies
29. The Board shall have no power to pledge the credit of any Signatory party, political subdivision or agency thereof, or to impose any obligation for payment of the bonds upon any Signatory party, political subdivision or agency thereof, but may pledge the contracts of such governments and agencies; provided, however, that the bonds may be underwritten in whole or in part as to principal and interest by the United States, or by any political subdivision or agency of any Signatory; provided, further, that any bonds underwritten in whole or in part as to principal and interest by the United States shall not be issued without approval of the Secretary of the Treasury. Neither the Directors nor any person executing the bonds shall be liable personally on the bonds of the Authority or be subject to any personal liability or accountability by reason of the issuance thereof.
Funding and Refunding
30. Whenever the Board deems it expedient, it may fund and refund the bonds and other obligations of the Authority whether or not such bonds and obligations have matured. It may provide for the issuance, sale or exchange of refunding bonds for the purpose of redeeming or retiring any bonds (including the payment of any premium, duplicate interest or cash adjustment required in connection therewith) issued by the Authority or issued by any other issuing body, the proceeds of the sale of which have been applied to any facility acquired by the Authority or which are payable out of the revenues of any facility acquired by the Authority. Bonds may be issued partly to refund bonds and other obligations then outstanding, and partly for any other purpose of the Authority. All provisions of this Title applicable to the issuance of bonds are applicable to refunding bonds and to the issuance, sale or exchange thereof.
Bonds; Authorization Generally
31. Bonds and other indebtedness of the Authority shall be authorized by resolution of the Board. The validity of the authorization and issuance of any bonds by the Authority shall not be dependent upon nor affected in any way by: (i) the disposition of bond proceeds by the Board or by contract, commitment or action taken with respect to such proceeds; or (ii) the failure to complete any part of the project for which bonds are authorized to be issued. The Authority may issue bonds in one or more series and may provide for one or more consolidated bond issues, in such principal amounts and with such terms and provisions as the Board may deem necessary. The bonds may be secured by a pledge of all or any part of the property, revenues and franchises under its control. Bonds may be issued by the Authority in such amount, with such maturities and in such denominations and form or forms, whether coupon or registered, as to principal alone or as to both principal and interest, as may be determined by the Board. The Board may provide for redemption of bonds prior to maturity on such notice and at such time or times and with such redemption provisions, including premiums, as the Board may determine.
Bonds; Resolution and Indentures Generally
32. The Board may determine and enter into indentures or adopt resolutions providing for the principal amount, date or dates, maturities, interest rate, or rates, denominations, form, registration, transfer, interchange and other provisions of bonds and coupons and the terms and conditions upon which the same shall be executed, issued, secured, sold, paid, redeemed, funded and refunded. The resolution of the Board authorizing any bond or any indenture so authorized under which the bonds are issued may include all such covenants and other provisions not inconsistent with the provisions of this Title, other than any restriction on the regulatory powers vested in the Board by this Title, as the Board may deem necessary or desirable for the issue, payment, security, protection or marketing of the bonds, including without limitation covenants and other provisions as to the rates or amounts of fees, rents and other charges to be charged or made for use of the facilities; the use, pledge, custody, securing, application and disposition of such revenues, of the proceeds of the bonds, and of any other moneys or contracts of the Authority; the operation, maintenance, repair and reconstruction of the facilities and the amounts which may be expended therefor; the sale, lease or other disposition of the facilities; the insuring of the facilities and of the revenues derived therefrom; the construction or other acquisition of other facilities; the issuance of additional bonds or other indebtedness; the rights of the bondholders and of any trustee for the bondholders upon default by the Authority or otherwise; and the modification of the provisions of the indenture and of the bonds. Reference on the face of the bonds to such resolution or indenture by its date of adoption or the apparent date on the face thereof is sufficient to incorporate all of the provisions thereof and of this Title into the body of the bonds and their appurtenant coupons. Each taker and subsequent holder of the bonds or coupons, whether the coupons are attached to or detached from the bonds, has recourse to all of the provisions of the indenture and of this Title and is bound thereby.
Maximum Maturity
33. No bond or its terms shall mature in more than fifty years from its own date and in the event any authorized issue is divided into two or more series or divisions, the maximum maturity date herein authorized shall be calculated from the date on the face of each bond separately, irrespective of the fact that different dates may be prescribed for the bonds of each separate series or division of any authorized issue.
Tax Exemption
34. All bonds and all other evidences of debt issued by the Authority under the provisions of this Title and the interest thereon shall at all times be free and exempt from all taxation by or under authority of any Signatory parties, except for transfer, inheritance and estate taxes.
Interest
35. Bonds shall bear interest at such rate or rates as may be determined by the Board, payable annually or semiannually.
Place of Payment
36. The Board may provide for the payment of the principal and interest of bonds at any place or places within or without the Signatory states, and in any specified lawful coin or currency of the United States of America.
Execution
37. The Board may provide for the execution and authentication of bonds by the manual, lithographed or printed facsimile signature of members of the Board, and by additional authentication by a trustee or fiscal agent appointed by the Board; provided, however, that one of such signatures shall be manual; and provided, further, that no such additional authentication or manual signatures need be required in the case of bonds guaranteed by the United States of America. If any of the members whose signatures or countersignatures appear upon the bonds or coupons cease to be members before the delivery of the bonds or coupons, their signatures or countersignatures are nevertheless valid and of the same force and effect as if the members had remained in office until the delivery of the bonds and coupons.
Holding Own Bonds
38. The Board shall have power out of any funds available therefor to purchase its bonds and may hold, cancel or resell such bonds.
Sale
39. The Board may fix terms and conditions for the sale or other disposition of any authorized issue of bonds. The Board may sell bonds at less than their par or face value but no issue of bonds may be sold at an aggregate price below the par or face value thereof if such sale would result in a net interest cost to the Authority calculated upon the entire issue so sold in excess of the applicable rate determined by the Board, payable semiannually, computed with relation to the absolute maturity of the bonds according to standard tables of bond values, deducting the amount of any premium to be paid on the redemption of any bonds prior to maturity. All bonds issued and sold pursuant to this Title may be sold in such manner, either at public or private sale, as the Board shall determine.
Negotiability
40. All bonds issued under the provisions of this Title are negotiable instruments.
Bonds Eligible for Investment and Deposit
41. Bonds issued under the provisions of this Title are hereby made securities in which all public officers and public agencies of the Signatories and their political subdivisions and all banks, trust companies, savings and loan associations, investment companies and others carrying on a banking business, all insurance companies and insurance associations and others carrying on an insurance business, all administrators, executors, guardians, trustees and other fiduciaries, and all other persons may legally and properly invest funds, including capital in their control or belonging to them. Such bonds are hereby made securities which may properly and legally be deposited with and received by any officer of any Signatory, or of any agency or political subdivision of any Signatory, for any purpose for which the deposit of bonds or other obligations of such Signatory is now or may hereafter be authorized by law.
Validation Proceedings
42. Prior to the issuance of any bonds, the Board may institute a special proceeding to determine the legality of proceedings to issue the bonds and their validity under the laws of any of the Signatory parties. Such proceeding shall be instituted and prosecuted in rem and the final judgment rendered therein shall be conclusive against all persons whomsoever and against each of the Signatory parties.
43. No indenture need be recorded or filed in any public office, other than the office of the Board. The pledge of revenues provided in any indenture shall take effect forthwith as provided therein and irrespective of the date of receipt of such revenues by the Board or the indenture trustee. Such pledge shall be effective as provided in the indenture without physical delivery of the revenues to the Board or to the indenture trustee.
Pledged Revenues
44. Bond redemption and interest payments shall, to the extent provided in the resolution or indenture, constitute a first, direct and exclusive charge and lien on all revenues received from the use and operation of the facility, and on any sinking or other funds created therefrom. All such revenues, together with interest thereon, shall constitute a trust fund for the security and payment of such bonds and except as and to the extent provided in the indenture with respect to the payment therefrom of expenses for other purposes including administration, operation, maintenance, improvements or extensions of the facilities or other purposes shall not be used or pledged for any other purpose so long as such bonds, or any of them, are outstanding and unpaid.
Remedies
45. The holder of any bond may for the equal benefit and protection of all holders of bonds similarly situated: (1) by mandamus or other appropriate proceedings require and compel the performance of any of the duties imposed upon the Board or assumed by it, its officers, agents or employees under the provisions of any indenture, in connection with the acquisition, construction, operation, maintenance, repair, reconstruction or insurance of the facilities, or in connection with the collection, deposit, investment, application and disbursement of the revenues derived from the operation and use of the facilities, or in connection with the deposit, investment and disbursement of the proceeds received from the sale of bonds; or (2) by action or suit in a court of competent jurisdiction of any Signatory party require the Authority to account as if it were the trustee of an express trust, or enjoin any acts or things which may be unlawful or in violation of the rights of the holders of the bonds. The enumeration of such rights and remedies does not, however, exclude the exercise or prosecution of any other rights or remedies available to the holders of bonds.
Article X Equipment Trust Certificates
Power
46. The Board shall have power to execute agreements, leases and equipment trust certificates with respect to the purchase of facilities or equipment such as cars, trolley buses and motor buses, or other craft, in the form customarily used in such cases and appropriate to effect such purchase, and may dispose of such equipment trust certificates in such manner as it may determine to be for the best interests of the Authority. Each vehicle covered by an equipment trust certificate shall have the name of the owner and lessor plainly marked upon both sides thereof, followed by the words "Owner and Lessor".
Payments
47. All moneys required to be paid by the Authority under the provisions of such agreements, leases and equipment trust certificates shall be payable solely from the revenue to be derived from the operation of the transit system or from such grants, loans, appropriations or other revenues, as may be available to the Board under the provisions of this Title. Payment for such facilities or equipment, or rentals thereof, may be made in installments, and the deferred installments may be evidenced by equipment trust certificates as aforesaid, and title to such facilities or equipment may not vest in the Authority until the equipment trust certificates are paid.
Procedure
48. The agreement to purchase facilities or equipment by the Board may direct the vendor to sell and assign the equipment to a bank or trust company, duly authorized to transact business in any of the Signatory states, or to the Housing and Home Finance Administrator, as trustee, lessor or vendor, for the benefit and security of the equipment trust certificates and may direct the trustee to deliver the facilities and equipment to one or more designated officers of the Board and may authorize the trustee simultaneously therewith to execute and deliver a lease of the facilities or equipment to the Board.
Agreements and Leases
49. The agreements and leases shall be duly acknowledged before some person authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds and in the form required for acknowledgment of deeds and such agreements, leases, and equipment trust certificates shall be authorized by resolution of the Board and shall contain such covenants, conditions and provisions as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to insure the payment of the equipment trust certificates from the revenues to be derived from the operation of the transit system and other funds.
The covenants, conditions and provisions of the agreements, leases and equipment trust certificates shall not conflict with any of the provisions of any resolution or trust agreement securing the payment of bonds or other obligations of the Authority then outstanding or conflict with or be in derogation of the rights of the holders of any such bonds or other obligations.
Law Governing
50. The equipment trust certificates issued hereunder shall be governed by Laws of the District of Columbia and for this purpose the chief place of business of the Authority shall be considered to be the District of Columbia. The filing of any documents required or permitted to be filed shall be governed by the Laws of the District of Columbia.
Article XI Operation of Facilities
Operation by Contract or Lease
51. Any facilities and properties owned or controlled by the Authority may be operated by the Authority directly or by others pursuant to contract or lease as the Board may determine.
The Operating Contract
52. Without limitation upon the right of the Board to prescribe such additional terms and provisions as it may deem necessary and appropriate, the operating contract shall:
(a) specify the services and functions to be performed by the Contractor;
(b) provide that the Contractor shall hire, supervise and control all personnel required to perform the services and functions assumed by it under the operating contract and that all such personnel shall be employees of the Contractor and not of the Authority;
(c) require the Contractor to assume the obligations of the labor contract or contracts of any transit company which may be acquired by the Authority and assume the pension obligations of any such transit company;
(d) require the Contractor to comply in all respects with the labor policy set forth in Article XIV of this Title;
(e) provide that no transfer of ownership of the capital stock, securities or interests in any Contractor, whose principal business in the operating contract, shall be made without written approval of the Board and the certificates or other instruments representing such stock, securities or interests shall contain a statement of this restriction;
(f) provide that the Board shall have the sole authority to determine the rates or fares to be charged, the routes to be operated and the service to be furnished;
(g) specify the obligations and liabilities which are to be assumed by the Contractor and those which are to be the responsibility of the Authority;
(h) provide for an annual audit of the books and accounts of the Contractor by an independent certified public accountant to be selected by the Board and for such other audits, examinations and investigations of the books and records, procedures and affairs of the Contractor at such times and in such manner as the Board shall require, the cost of such audits, examinations and investigations to be borne as agreed by the parties in the operating contracts; and
(i) provided that no operating contract shall be entered into for a term in excess of five years; provided, that any such contract may be renewed for successive terms, each of which shall not exceed five years. Any such operating contract shall be subject to termination by the Board for cause only.
Compensation for Contractor
53. Compensation to the Contractor under the operating contract may, in the discretion of the Board, be in the form of (1) a fee paid by the Board to the Contractor for services, (2) a payment by the Contractor to the Board for the right to operate the system, or (3) such other arrangement as the Board may prescribe; provided, however, that the compensation shall bear a reasonable relationship to the benefits to the Authority and to the estimated costs the Authority would incur in directly performing the functions and duties delegated under the operating contract; and provided, further that no such contract shall create any right in the Contractor (1) to make or change any rate or fare or alter or change the service specified in the contract to be provided or (2) to seek judicial relief by any form of original action, review or other proceeding from any rate or fare or service prescribed by the Board. Any assertion, or attempted assertion, by the Contractor of the right to make or change any rate or fare or service prescribed by the Board shall constitute cause for termination of the operating contract. The operating contract may provide incentives for efficient and economical management.
Selection of Contractor
54. The Board shall enter into an operating contract only after formal advertisement and negotiations with all interested and qualified parties, including private transit companies rendering transit service within the Zone; provided, however, that, if the Authority acquires transit facilities from any agency of the federal or District of Columbia governments, in accordance with the provisions of Article VII, § 20 of this Title, the Authority shall assume the obligations of any operating contract which the transferor agency may have entered into.
Article XII Coordination of Private and Public Facilities
Declaration of Policy
55. It is hereby declared that the interest of the public in efficient and economical transit service and in the financial well-being of the Authority and of the private transit companies requires that the public and private segments of the regional transit system be operated, to the fullest extent possible, as a coordinated system without unnecessary duplicating service.
Implementation of Policy
56. In order to carry out the legislative policy set forth in § 55 of this Article XII
(a) The Authority—
(1) except as herein provided, shall not, directly or through a Contractor, perform transit service by bus or similar motor vehicles;
(2) shall, in cooperation with the private carriers and WMATC coordinate to the fullest extent practicable, the schedules for service performed by its facilities with the schedules for service performed by private carriers; and
(3) shall enter into agreements with the private carriers to establish and maintain, subject to approval by WMATC, through routes and joint fares and provide for the division thereof, or, in the absence of such agreements, establish and maintain through routes and joint fares in accordance with orders issued by WMATC directed to the private carriers when the terms and conditions for such through service and joint fares are acceptable to it.
(b) The WMATC, upon application, complaint, or upon its own motion, shall—
(1) direct private carriers to coordinate their schedules for service with the schedules for service performed by facilities owned or controlled by the Authority;
(2) direct private carriers to improve or extend any existing services or provide additional service over additional routes;
(3) authorize a private carrier, pursuant to agreement between said carrier and the Authority, to establish and maintain through routes and joint fares for transportation to be rendered with facilities owned or controlled by the Authority if, after hearing held upon reasonable notice, WMATC finds that such through routes and joint fares are required by the public interest; and
(4) in the absence of such an agreement with the Authority, direct a private carrier to establish and maintain through routes and joint fares with the Authority, if, after hearing held upon reasonable notice, WMATC finds that such through service and joint fares are required by the public interest; provided, however, that no such order, rule or regulation of WMATC shall be construed to require the Authority to establish and maintain any through route and joint fare.
(c) WMATC shall not authorize or require a private carrier to render any service, including the establishment or continuation of a joint fare for a through route service with the Authority which is based on a division thereof between the Authority and private carrier which does not provide a reasonable return to the private carrier, unless the carrier is currently earning a reasonable return on its operation as a whole in performing transportation subject to the jurisdiction of WMATC. In determining the issue of reasonable return, WMATC shall take into account any income attributable to the carrier, or to any corporation, firm or association owned in whole or in part by the carrier, from the Authority whether by way of payment for services or otherwise.
(d) If the WMATC is unable, through the exercise of its regulatory powers over the private carriers granted in subsection (b) hereof or otherwise, to bring about the requisite coordination of operations and service between the private carriers and the Authority, the Authority may in the situations specified in subsection (b) hereof, cause such transit service to be rendered by its Contractor by bus or other motor vehicle, as it shall deem necessary to effectuate the policy set forth in § 55 hereof. In any such situation, the Authority, in order to encourage private carriers to render bus service to the fullest extent practicable, may, pursuant to agreement, make reasonable subsidy payments to any private carrier.
(e) The Authority may acquire the capital stock or the transit facilities of any private transit company and may perform transit service, including service by bus or similar motor vehicle, with transit facilities so acquired, or with transit facilities acquired pursuant to Article VII, § 20. Upon acquisition of the capital stock or the transit facilities of any private transit company, the Authority shall undertake the acquisition, as soon as possible, of the capital stock or the transit facilities of each of the other private transit companies within the Zone requesting such acquisition. Lack of such request, however, shall not be construed to preclude the Authority from acquiring the capital stock or the transit facilities of any such company pursuant to § 82 of Article XVI.
Rights of Private Carriers Unaffected
57. Nothing in this title shall restrict or limit such rights and remedies, if any, that any private carrier may have against the Authority arising out of acts done or actions taken by the Authority hereunder. In the event any court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that the Authority has unlawfully infringed any rights of any private carrier or otherwise caused or permitted any private carrier to suffer legally cognizable injury, damages or harm and shall award a judgment therefor, such judgment shall constitute a lien against any and all of the assets and properties of the Authority.
Financial Assistance to Private Carriers
58. (a) The Board may accept grants from and enter into loan agreements with the Housing and Home Finance Administrator, pursuant to the provisions of the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 302), or with any successor agency or under any law of similar purport, for the purpose of rendering financial assistance to private carriers.
(b) An application by the Board for any such grant or loan shall be based on and supported by a report from WMATC setting forth for each private carrier to be assisted (1) the equipment and facilities to be acquired, constructed, reconstructed, or improved, (2) the service proposed to be rendered by such equipment and facilities, (3) the improvement in service expected from such facilities and equipment, (4) how the use of such facilities and equipment will be coordinated with the transit facilities owned by the Authority, (5) the ability of the affected private carrier to repay any such loans or grants and (6) recommended terms for any such loans or grants.
(c) Any equipment or facilities acquired, constructed, reconstructed or improved with the proceeds of such grants or loans shall be owned by the Authority and may be made available to private carriers only by lease or other agreement which contain provisions acceptable to the Housing and Home Finance Administrator assuring that the Authority will have satisfactory continuing control over the use of such facilities and equipment.
Article XIII Jurisdiction; Rates and Service
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission
59. Except as provided herein, this Title shall not affect the functions and jurisdiction of WMATC, as granted by Titles I and II of this Compact, over the transportation therein specified and the persons engaged therein and the Authority shall have no jurisdiction with respect thereto.
Public Facilities
60. Service performed by transit facilities owned or controlled by the Authority, and the rates and fares to be charged for such service, shall be subject to the sole and exclusive jurisdiction of the Board and, notwithstanding any other provision in this Compact contained, WMATC shall have no authority with respect thereto, or with respect to any contractor in connection with the operation by it of transit facilities owned or controlled by the Authority. The determinations of the Board with respect to such matters shall not be subject to judicial review nor to the processes to any court.
Standards
61. Insofar as practicable, and consistent with the provision of adequate service at reasonable fares, the rates and fares and service shall be fixed by the Board so as to result in revenues which will:
(a) pay the operating expenses and provide for repairs, maintenance and depreciation of the transit system owned or controlled by the Authority;
(b) provide for payment of all principal and interest on outstanding revenue bonds and other obligations and for payment of all amounts to sinking funds and other funds as may be required by the terms of any indenture of loan agreement;
(c) provide for the purchase, lease or acquisition of rolling stock, including provisions for interest, sinking funds, reserve funds, or other funds required for the payment of any obligations incurred by the Authority for the acquisition of rolling stock; and
(d) provide funds for any purpose the Board deems necessary and desirable to carry out the purposes of this title.
Hearings
62. (a) The Board shall not raise any fare or rate, nor implement a major service reduction, except after holding a public hearing with respect thereto.
(b) Any Signatory, any political subdivision thereof, any agency of the federal government and any person, firm or association served by or using the transit facilities of the Authority and any private carrier may file a request with the Board for a hearing with respect to any rates or charges made by the Board or any service rendered with the facilities owned or controlled by the Authority. Such request shall be in writing, shall state the matter on which a hearing is requested and shall set forth clearly the matters and things on which the request relies. As promptly as possible after such a request is filed, the Board, or such officer or employee as it may designate, shall confer with the protestant with respect to the matters complained of. After such conference, the Board, if it deems the matter meritorious and of general significance, may call a hearing with respect to such request.
(c) The Board shall give at least fifteen days' notice for all public hearings. The notice shall be given by publication in a newspaper of daily circulation throughout the Transit Zone and such notice shall be published once a week for two successive weeks. The notice period shall start with the first day of publication. Notices of public hearings shall be posted in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Board.
(d) Prior to calling a hearing on any matter specified in this section, the Board shall prepare and file at its main office and keep open for public inspection its report relating to the proposed action to be considered at such hearing. Upon receipt by the Board of any report submitted by WMATC, in connection with a matter set for hearing, pursuant to the provisions of § 63 of this Article XIII, the Board shall file such report at its main office and make it available for public inspection. For hearings called by the Board pursuant to paragraph (b), above, the Board also shall cause to be lodged and kept open for public inspection the written request upon which the hearing is granted and all documents filed in support thereof.
Reference of Matters to WMATC
63. To facilitate the attainment of the public policy objectives for operation of the publicly and privately owned or controlled transit facilities as stated in Article XII, § 55, prior to the hearings provided for by § 62 hereof—
(a) The Board shall refer to WMATC for its consideration and recommendations, any matter which the Board considers may affect the operation of the publicly and privately owned or controlled transit facilities as a coordinated regional transit system and any matter for which the Board has called a hearing, pursuant to § 62 of this Article XIII, except that temporary or emergency changes in matters affecting service shall not be referred; and
(b) WMATC, upon such reference of any matter to it, shall give the referred matter preference over any other matters pending before it and shall, as expeditiously as practicable, prepare and transmit its report thereon to the Board. The Board may request WMATC to reconsider any part of its report or to make any supplemental reports it deems necessary. All of such reports shall be advisory only.
(c) Any report submitted by WMATC to the Board shall consider, without limitation, the probable effect of the matter or proposal upon the operation of the publicly and privately owned or controlled transit facilities as a coordinated regional system, passenger movements, fare structures, service and the impact on the revenues of both the public and private facilities.
Article XIV Labor Policy
Construction
64. The Board shall take such action as may be necessary to insure that all laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors in the construction, alteration or repair, including painting and decorating, of projects, buildings and works which are undertaken by the Authority or are financially assisted by it, shall be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on similar construction in the locality as determined by the Secretary of Labor in accordance with the Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 276a-276a-5), and every such employee shall receive compensation at a rate not less than one and one-half times his basic rate of pay for all hours worked in any workweek in excess of eight hours in any workday or forty hours in any workweek, as the case may be. A provision stating the minimum wages thus determined and the requirement that overtime be paid as above provided shall be set out in each project advertisement for bids and in each bid proposal form and shall be made a part of the contract covering the project, which contract shall be deemed to be a contract of the character specified in § 103 of the Contract Work Hours Standards Act (76 Stat. 357), as now or as may hereafter be in effect. The Secretary of Labor shall have, with respect to the administration and enforcement of the labor standards specified in this provision, the supervisory, investigatory and other authority and functions set forth in Reorganization Plan Numbered 14 of 1950 (15 F.R. 3176, 64 Stat. 1267,5 U.S.C. 133z-15), and § 2 of the Act of June thirteen, nineteen hundred thirty-four, as amended (48 Stat. 948, as amended; 40 U.S.C. 276 (c)). The requirements of this section shall also be applicable with respect to the employment of laborers and mechanics in the construction, alteration or repair, including painting and decorating, of the transit facilities owned or controlled by the Authority where such activities are performed by a contractor pursuant to agreement with the operator of such facilities.
Equipment and Supplies
65. Contracts for the manufacture or furnishing of materials, supplies, articles and equipment shall be subject to the provisions of the Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act (41 U.S.C. 35 et seq.), as now or as may hereafter be in effect.
Operations
66. (a) The rights, benefits, and other employee protective conditions and remedies of § 13 (c) of the Federal Transit Act, as amended (49 U.S.C. Section 5333 (b)), as determined by the Secretary of Labor, shall apply to Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority employees otherwise covered by the Act. The Authority shall extend to employees whose positions are adversely affected by the expenditure of federal funds obtained by WMATA pursuant to congressional appropriations, the rights, benefits, and other employee protective conditions and remedies of section 13 (c) of the Federal Transit Act, as amended (49 U.S.C. § 5333(b)).
(b) The Authority shall deal with and enter into written contracts with employees as defined in § 152 of Title 29, United States Code, through accredited representatives of such employees or representatives of any labor organization authorized to act for such employees concerning wages, salaries, hours, working conditions, and pension or retirement provisions. Each such contract entered into after the effective date of this act shall prohibit the contracting employees from engaging in any strike or an employer from engaging in any lockout.
(c) In case of any labor dispute involving the Authority and such employees where collective bargaining does not result in agreement, either party may declare that an impasse has been reached between the parties and may, by written notification to the other party and to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, request the Service to appoint a mediator for the purpose of assisting them in reconciling their differences and resolving the controversy on terms which are mutually acceptable. Within five days of the receipt of the request the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service shall appoint a mediator in accordance with its rules and procedures for such appointment. The mediator shall meet with the parties forthwith, either jointly or separately, and shall take such steps as he or she deems appropriate to persuade the parties to resolve their differences and effect a mutually acceptable agreement. The mediator shall not, however, make findings of fact or recommend terms of settlement. Each party shall pay one-half of the expenses of such mediator. If the mediator is unable to effect settlement of the controversy within fifteen days after his or her appointment, the Authority shall submit such dispute to fact finding by a board composed of three persons, one appointed by the Authority, one appointed by the labor organization representing the employees, and a third member to be agreed upon by the labor organization and the Authority. The member agreed upon by the labor organization and the Authority shall act as chairman of the board. The determination of the majority of the fact finding board thus established shall be advisory as to all matters in dispute. If after a period of ten days from the date of the appointment of the two persons representing the Authority and the labor organization, the third person has not been selected, then either of the two persons may request the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to furnish a list of five persons from which the third person shall be selected; provided, however, that the list shall not include the name of the person who served as mediator unless inclusion of his or her name is mutually agreed to by both parties. The persons appointed by the Authority and the labor organization, promptly after the receipt of such list shall determine by lot the order of elimination, and thereafter each shall in that order alternately eliminate one name until only one name remains. The remaining person on the list shall be the third member of the fact finding board. The term "labor dispute" shall be broadly construed and shall include any controversy concerning wages, salaries, hours, working conditions, or benefits including health and welfare, sick leave, insurance or pension or retirement provisions but not limited thereto, and including any controversy concerning any differences or questions that may arise between the parties including but not limited to the making or maintaining of collective bargaining agreements, the terms to be included in such agreements, and the interpretation or application of such collective bargaining agreements. Each party shall pay one-half of the expenses of such fact finding. Under no circumstances may the parties resort to binding arbitration after the date of enactment of this act or the expiration date of any contract requiring binding arbitration, whichever is later. This prohibition against binding arbitration shall not be interpreted to preclude such arbitration of individual employee grievances.
(d) The Authority is hereby authorized and empowered to establish and maintain a system of pensions and retirement benefits for such officers and employees of the Authority as may be designated or described by resolution of the Authority; to fix the terms of and restrictions on admission to such system and the classifications therein; to provide that persons eligible for admission in such pension system shall not be eligible for admission to, or receive any benefits from, any other pension system (except Social Security benefits), which is financed or funded, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly by funds paid or appropriated by the Authority to such other pension system, and to provide in connection with such pension system, a system of benefits payable to the beneficiaries and dependents of any participant in such pension system after the death of such participant (whether accidental or otherwise, whether occurring in the actual performance of duty or otherwise, or both) subject to such exceptions, conditions, restrictions and classifications as may be provided by resolution of the Authority. Such pension system shall be financed or funded by such means and in such manner as may be determined by the Authority to be economically feasible. Unless the Authority shall otherwise determine, no officer or employee of the Authority and no beneficiary or dependent of any such officer or employee shall be eligible to receive any pension or retirement or other benefits both from or under any such pension system and from or under any pension or retirement system established by an acquired transportation system or established or provided for, by or under the provisions of any collective bargaining agreement between the Authority and the representatives of its employees.
(e) Whenever the Authority acquires existing transit facilities from a public or privately owned utility either in proceeding by eminent domain or otherwise, the Authority shall assume and observe all existing labor contracts and pension obligations. When the Authority acquires an existing transportation system, all employees who are necessary for the operation thereof by the Authority shall be transferred to and appointed as employees of the Authority, subject to all the rights and benefits of this Title. These employees shall be given seniority credit and sick leave, vacation, insurance and pension credits in accordance with the records or labor agreements from the acquired transportation system. Members and beneficiaries of any pension or retirement system or other benefits established by the acquired transportation system shall continue to have rights, privileges, benefits, obligations and status with respect to such established system. The Authority shall assume the obligations of any transportation system acquired by it with regard to wages, salaries, hours, working conditions, sick leave, health and welfare and pension or retirement provisions for employees. It shall assume the provisions of any collective bargaining agreement between such acquired transportation system and the representatives of its employees. The Authority and the employees, through their representatives for collective bargaining purposes, shall take whatever action may be necessary to have pension trust funds presently under the joint control of the acquired transportation system and the participating employees through their representative transferred to the trust fund to be established, maintained and administered jointly by the Authority and the participating employees through their representatives. No employee of any acquired transportation system who is transferred to a position with the Authority shall by reason of such transfer be placed in any worse position with respect to workmen's compensation, pension, seniority, wages, sick leave, vacation, health and welfare insurance or any other benefits, than he enjoyed as an employee of such acquired transportation system.
(f) The Authority shall not require any person, as a condition of employment or continuation of employment, to join any labor union or labor organization. The Authority shall not require any person, as a condition of employment or continuation of employment, to pay any dues, fees, or other charges of any kind to any labor union or labor organization.
Article XV Relocation Assistance
Relocation Program and Payments
67. Section 7 of the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964, and as the same may from time to time be amended, and all regulations promulgated thereunder, are hereby made applicable to individuals, families, business concerns and nonprofit organizations displaced from real property by actions of the Authority without regard to whether financial assistance is sought by or extended to the Authority under any provision of that Act; provided, however, that in the event real property is acquired for the Authority by an agency of the federal government, or by a State or local agency or instrumentality, the Authority is authorized to reimburse the acquiring agency for relocation payments made by it.
Relocation of Public or Public Utility Facilities
68. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 67 of this Article XV, any highway or other public facility or any facilities of a public utility company which will be dislocated by reason of a project deemed necessary by the Board to effectuate the authorized purposes of this Title shall be relocated if such facilities are devoted to a public use, and the reasonable cost of relocation, if substitute facilities are necessary, shall be paid by the Board from any of its moneys.
Article XVI General Provisions
Creation and Administration of Funds
69. (a) The Board may provide for the creation and administration of such funds as may be required. The funds shall be disbursed in accordance with rules established by the Board and all payments from any fund shall be reported to the Board. Moneys and such funds and other moneys of the Authority shall be deposited, as directed by the Board, in any branch or subsidiary of any state or national bank which has operations within the Zone, and having a total paid-in capital of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000). The trust department of any such state or national bank may be designated as a depositary to receive any securities acquired or owned by the Authority. The restriction with respect to paid-in capital may be waived for any such bank which agrees to pledge federal securities to protect the funds and securities of the Authority in such amounts and pursuant to such arrangements as may be acceptable to the Board.
(b) Any moneys of the Authority may, in the discretion of the Board and subject to any agreement or covenant between the Authority and the holders of any of its obligations limiting or restricting classes of investments, be invested in: (i) Direct obligations of or obligations guaranteed by the United States of America; (ii) Bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued by agencies of the United States of America, including but not limited to the following: Bank for Cooperatives; Federal Intermediate Credit Banks; Federal Home Loan Bank System; Export-Import Bank of the United States; Federal Land Banks, Federal National Mortgage Association; Student Loan Marketing Association; Government National Mortgage Association; Tennessee Valley Authority; or United States Postal Service; (iii) Securities that qualify as lawful investments and may be accepted as security for fiduciary, trust and public funds under the control of the United States or any officer or officers thereof, or securities eligible as collateral for deposits of moneys of the United States, including United States Treasury tax and loan accounts; (iv) Domestic and Eurodollar certificates of deposit; and (v) Bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued by a domestic corporation, such as a corporation organized under the laws of one of the states of the United States, provided that such obligations are nonconvertible and at the time of their purchase are rated in the highest rating categories by a nationally recognized bond rating agency.
Annual Independent Audit
70. (a) As soon as practical after the closing of the fiscal year, an audit shall be made of the financial accounts of the Authority. The audit shall be made by qualified certified public accountants selected by the Board, who shall have no personal interest direct or indirect in the financial affairs of the Authority or any of its officers or employees. The report of audit shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing principles and shall be filed with the Chairman and other officers as the Board shall direct. Copies of the report shall be distributed to each Director, to the Congress, to the Mayor and Council of the District of Columbia, to the Governors of Virginia and Maryland, to the Washington Suburban Transit Commission, to the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission and to the governing bodies of the political subdivisions located within the Zone which are parties to commitments for participation in the financing of the Authority and shall be made available for public distribution.
(b) The financial transactions of the Board shall be subject to audit by the United States General Accounting Office in accordance with the principles and procedures applicable to commercial corporate transactions and under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Comptroller General of the United States. The audit shall be conducted at the place or places where the accounts of the Board are kept.
(c) Any Director, officer or employee who shall refuse to give all required assistance and information to the accountants selected by the Board or who shall refuse to submit to them for examination such books, documents, records, files, accounts, papers, things or property as may be requested shall, in the discretion of the Board, forfeit his office.
Reports
71. The Board shall make and publish an annual report on its programs, operations, and finances, which shall be distributed in the same manner provided by § 70 of this Article XVI for the report of annual audit. It may also prepare, publish and distribute such other public reports and informational materials as it may deem necessary or desirable.
Insurance
72. The Board may self-insure or purchase insurance and pay the premiums therefor against loss or damage to any of its properties; against liability for injury to persons or property; and against loss of revenue from any cause whatsoever. Such insurance coverage shall be in such form and amount as the Board may determine, subject to the requirements of any agreement arising out of insurance of bonds or other obligations by the Authority.
Contracting and Purchasing
73. (a) (1) Except as provided in subsections (b), (c), and (f) of this section, and except in the case of procurement procedures otherwise expressly authorized by statute, the Authority in conducting a procurement of property, services, or construction shall:
(A) obtain full and open competition through the use of competitive procedures in accordance with the requirements of this Section; and
(B) use the competitive procedure or combination of competitive procedures that is best suited under the circumstances of the procurement.
(2) In determining the competitive procedure appropriate under the circumstances, the Authority shall:
(A) solicit sealed bids if:
(i) time permits the solicitation, submission, and evaluation of sealed bids;
(ii) the award will be made on the basis of price and other price-related factors;
(iii) it is not necessary to conduct discussions with the responding sources about their bids; and
(iv) there is a reasonable expectation of receiving more than one sealed bid; or
(B) request competitive proposals if sealed bids are not appropriate under clause (A) of this paragraph.
(b) The Authority may provide for the procurement of property, services, or construction covered by this Section using competitive procedures but excluding a particular source in order to establish or maintain an alternative source or sources of supply for that property, service, or construction if the Authority determines that excluding the source would increase or maintain competition and would likely result in reduced overall costs for procurement of property, services, or construction.
(c) The Authority may use procedures other than competitive procedures if:
(1) the property, services, or construction needed by the Authority is available from only one responsible source and no other type of property, services, or construction will satisfy the needs of the Authority; or
(2) the Authority's need for the property, services, or construction is of such an unusual and compelling urgency that the Authority would be seriously injured unless the Authority limits the number of sources from which it solicits bids or proposals; or
(3) the Authority determines that it is necessary in the public interest to use procedures other than competitive procedures in the particular procurement; or
(4) the property or services needed can be obtained through federal or other governmental sources at reasonable prices.
(d) For the purpose of applying subsection (c)(1) of this Section:
(1) in the case of a contract for property, services, or construction to be awarded on the basis of acceptance of an unsolicited proposal, the property, services, or construction shall be deemed to be available from only one responsible source if the source has submitted an unsolicited proposal that demonstrates a concept:
(A) that is unique and innovative or, in the case of a service, for which the source demonstrates a unique capability to provide the service; and
(B) the substance of which is not otherwise available to the Authority and does not resemble the substance of a pending competitive procurement.
(2) in the case of a follow-on contract for the continued development or production of a major system or highly specialized equipment or the continued provision of highly specialized services, the property, services, or construction may be deemed to be available from only the original source and may be procured through procedures other than competitive procedures if it is likely that award to a source other than the original source would result in:
(A) substantial duplication of cost to the Authority that is not expected to be recovered through competition; or
(B) unacceptable delays in fulfilling the Authority's needs.
(e) If the Authority uses procedures other than competitive procedures to procure property, services, or construction under subsection (c)(2) of this Section, the Authority shall request offers from as many potential sources as is practicable under the circumstances.
(f) (1) To promote efficiency and economy in contracting, the Authority may use simplified acquisition procedures for purchases of property, services and construction.
(2) For the purposes of this subsection, simplified acquisition procedures may be used for purchases for an amount that does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold adopted by the federal government.
(3) A proposed purchase or contract for an amount above the simplified acquisition threshold may not be divided into several purchases or contracts for lesser amounts in order to use the procedures under paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(4) In using simplified acquisition procedures, the Authority shall promote competition to the maximum extent practicable.
(g) The Board shall adopt policies and procedures to implement this Section. The policies and procedures shall provide for publication of notice of procurements and other actions designed to secure competition where competitive procedures are used.
(h) The Authority in its discretion may reject any and all bids or proposals received in response to a solicitation.
Rights-of-Way
74. The Board is authorized to locate, construct and maintain any of its transit and related facilities in, upon, over, under or across any streets, highways, freeways, bridges and any other vehicular facilities, subject to the applicable laws governing such use of such facilities by public agencies. In the absence of such laws, such use of such facilities by the Board shall be subject to such reasonable conditions as the highway department or other affected agency of a Signatory party may require; provided, however, that the Board shall not construct or operate transit or related facilities upon, over, or across any parkways or park lands without the consent of, and except upon the terms and conditions required by, the agency having jurisdiction with respect to such parkways and park lands, but may construct or operate such facilities in a subway under such parkways or park lands upon such reasonable terms and conditions as may be specified by the agency having jurisdiction with respect thereto.
Compliance with Laws, Regulations and Ordinances
75. The Board shall comply with all laws, ordinances and regulations of the Signatories and political subdivisions and agencies thereof with respect to use of streets, highways and all other vehicular facilities, traffic control and regulation, zoning, signs and buildings.
Police Security
76. (a) The Authority is authorized to establish and maintain a regular police force, to be known as the Metro Transit Police, to provide protection for its patrons, personnel, and Transit facilities. The Metro Transit Police shall have the powers and duties and shall be subject to the limitations set forth in this section. It shall be composed of both uniformed and plain clothes personnel and shall be charged with the duty of enforcing the laws of the Signatories, and the laws, ordinances, and regulations of the political subdivisions thereof in the Transit Zone, and the rules and regulations of the Authority. The jurisdiction of the Metro Transit Police shall include all the Transit facilities (including bus stops) owned, controlled, or operated by the Authority, but this restriction shall not limit the power of the Metro Transit Police to make arrests in the Transit Zone for violations committed upon, to, or against such Transit facilities committed from within or outside such Transit facilities while in hot or close pursuit, or to execute traffic citations and criminal process in accordance with subsection (c) below. The members of the Metro Transit Police shall have concurrent jurisdiction in the performance of their duties with the duly constituted law-enforcement agencies of the Signatories and of the political subdivisions thereof in which any Transit facility of the Authority is located or in which the Authority operates any Transit service. On-duty Metro Transit Police officers are authorized to make arrests off of Transit facilities within the Transit Zone when immediate action is necessary to protect the health, safety, welfare or property of an individual from actual or threatened harm or from an unlawful act. Nothing contained in this section shall either relieve any Signatory or political subdivision or agency thereof from its duty to provide police, fire, and other public safety service and protection, or limit, restrict, or interfere with the jurisdiction of or the performance of duties by the existing police, fire, and other public safety agencies. For purposes of this section, "bus stop" means that area within 150 feet of a MetroBus bus stop sign, excluding the interior of any building not owned, controlled or operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
(b) A member of the Metro Transit Police shall have same powers, including the power of arrest, and shall be subject to the same limitations, including regulatory limitations, in the performance of his duties as a member of the duly constituted police force of the political subdivision in which the Metro Transit Police member is engaged in the performance of his duties. A member of the Metro Transit Police is authorized to carry and use only such weapons, including handguns, as are issued by the Authority. A member of the Metro Transit Police is subject to such additional limitations in the use of weapons as are imposed on the duly constituted police force for the political subdivision in which he is engaged in the performance of his duties.
(c) Members of the Metro Transit Police shall have power to execute on the Transit facilities owned, controlled, or operated by the Authority any traffic citation or any criminal process issued by any court of any Signatory or of any political subdivision of a Signatory, for any felony, misdemeanor, or other offense against the laws, ordinances, rules, or regulations specified in subsection (a). With respect to offenses committed upon, to, or against the Transit facilities owned, controlled, or operated by the Authority, the Metro Transit Police shall have power to execute criminal process within the Transit Zone.
(d) Upon the apprehension or arrest of any person by a member of the Metro Transit Police pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b), the officer, as required by the law of the place of apprehension or arrest, shall either issue a summons or a citation against the person, book the person, or deliver the person to the duly constituted police or judicial officer of the Signatory or political subdivision where the apprehension or arrest is made, for disposition as required by law.
(e) The Authority shall have the power to adopt rules and regulations for the safe, convenient, and orderly use of the Transit facilities owned, controlled, or operated by the Authority, including the payment and the manner of the payment of fares or charges therefor, the protection of the Transit facilities, the control of traffic and parking upon the Transit facilities, and the safety and protection of the riding public. In the event that any such rules and regulations contravene the laws, ordinances, rules, or regulations of a Signatory or any political subdivision thereof which are existing or subsequently enacted, these laws, ordinances, rules, or regulations of the Signatory or the political subdivision shall apply and the conflicting rule or regulation, or portion thereof, of the Authority shall be void within the jurisdiction of that Signatory or political subdivision. In all other respects the rules and regulations of the Authority shall be uniform throughout the Transit Zone. The rules and regulations established under this subsection shall be adopted by the Board following public hearings held in accordance with Section 62 (c) and (d) of this Compact. The final regulation shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation within the Zone at least 15 days before its effective date. Any person violating any rule or regulation of the Authority shall be subject to arrest and, upon conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction, shall pay a fine of not more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) and costs. Criminal violations of any rule or regulation of the Authority shall be prosecuted by the Signatory or political subdivision in which the violation occurred, in the same manner by which violations of law, ordinances, rules and regulations of the Signatory or political subdivisions are prosecuted.
(f) With respect to members of the Metro Transit Police, the Authority shall:
(1) Establish classifications based on the nature and scope of duties, and fix and provide for their qualification, appointment, removal, tenure, term, compensation, pension, and retirement benefits;
(2) Provide for their training and, for this purpose, the Authority may enter into contracts or agreements with any public or private organization engaged in police training, and this training and the qualifications of the uniformed and plain clothes personnel shall at least equal the requirements of each Signatory and of the political subdivisions therein in the Transit Zone for their personnel performing comparable duties; and
(3) Prescribe distinctive uniforms to be worn.
(g) The Authority shall have the power to enter into agreements with the Signatories, the political subdivisions thereof in the Transit Zone, and public safety agencies located therein, including those of the Federal Government, for the delineation of the functions and responsibilities of the Metro Transit Police and the duly constituted police, fire, and other public safety agencies, and for mutual assistance.
(h) Before entering upon the duties of office, each member of the Metro Transit Police shall take or subscribe to an oath or affirmation, before a person authorized to administer oaths, faithfully to perform the duties of that office.
Exemption from Regulation
77. Except as otherwise provided in this Title, any Transit service rendered by Transit facilities owned or controlled by the Authority and the Authority or any corporation, firm or association performing such transit service pursuant to an operating contract with the Authority, shall, in connection with the performance of such service, be exempt from all laws, rules, regulations and orders of the Signatories and of the United States otherwise applicable to such transit service and persons, except that laws, rules, regulations and orders relating to inspection of equipment and facilities, safety and testing shall remain in force and effect; provided, however, that the Board may promulgate regulations for the safety of the public and employees not inconsistent with the applicable laws, rules, regulations or orders of the Signatories and of the United States.
Tax Exemption
78. It is hereby declared that the creation of the Authority and the carrying out of the corporate purposes of the Authority is in all respects for the benefit of the people of the Signatory states and is for a public purpose and that the Authority and the Board will be performing an essential governmental function, including, without limitation, proprietary, governmental and other functions, in the exercise of the powers conferred by this Title. Accordingly, the Authority and the Board shall not be required to pay taxes or assessments upon any of the property acquired by it or under its jurisdiction, control, possession or supervision or upon its activities in the operation and maintenance of any Transit facilities or upon any revenues therefrom and the property and income derived therefrom shall be exempt from all federal, State, District of Columbia, municipal and local taxation. This exemption shall include, without limitation, all motor vehicle license fees, sales taxes and motor fuel taxes.
Reduced Fares
79. The District of Columbia, the Northern Virginia Transportation District, the Washington Suburban Transit District and the component governments thereof, may enter into contracts or agreements with the Authority to make equitable payments for fares lower than those established by the Authority pursuant to the provisions of Article XIII hereof for any specified class or category of riders.
Liability for Contracts and Torts
80. The Authority shall be liable for its contracts and for its torts and those of its Directors, officers, employees and agents committed in the conduct of any proprietary function, in accordance with the law of the applicable Signatory (including rules on conflict of laws), but shall not be liable for any torts occurring in the performance of a governmental function. The exclusive remedy for such breach of contracts and torts for which the Authority shall be liable, as herein provided, shall be by suit against the Authority. Nothing contained in this Title shall be construed as a waiver by the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and the counties and cities within the Zone of any immunity from suit.
Jurisdiction of Courts
81. The United States District Courts shall have original jurisdiction, concurrent with the courts of Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, of all actions brought by or against the Authority and to enforce subpoenas issued under this Title. Any such action initiated in a State or District of Columbia Court shall be removable to the appropriate United States District Court in the manner provided by Act of June 25, 1948, as amended (28 U.S.C. 1446).
Condemnation
82. (a) The Authority shall have the power to acquire by condemnation, whenever in its opinion it is necessary or advantageous to the Authority to do so, any real or personal property, or any interest therein, necessary or useful for the transit system authorized herein, except property owned by the United States, by a Signatory, or any political subdivision thereof, whenever such property cannot be acquired by negotiated purchase at a price satisfactory to the Authority.
(b) Proceedings for the condemnation of property in the District of Columbia shall be instituted and maintained under the Act of December 23, 1963 (77 Stat. 577-581, D.C. Code 1961, Supp. IV, Sections 1351-1368). Proceedings for the condemnation of property located elsewhere within the Zone shall be instituted and maintained, if applicable, pursuant to the provisions of the Act of August 1, 1888, as amended (25 Stat. 357,40 U.S.C. 257) and the Act of June 25, 1948 (62 Stat. 935 and 937,28 U.S.C. 1358 and 1403) or any other applicable act; provided, however, that if there is no applicable federal law, condemnation proceedings shall be in accordance with the provisions of the state law of the Signatory in which the property is located governing condemnation by the highway agency of such state. Whenever the words "real property," "realty," "land," "easement," "right-of-way," or words of similar meaning are used in any applicable federal or state law relating to procedure, jurisdiction and venue, they shall be deemed, for the purposes of this Title, to include any personal property authorized to be acquired hereunder.
(c) Any award or compensation for the taking of property pursuant to this Title shall be paid by the Authority, and none of the Signatory parties nor any other agency, instrumentality or political subdivision thereof shall be liable for such award or compensation.
Enlargement and Withdrawal; Duration
83. (a) When advised in writing by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission or the Washington Suburban Transit Commission that the geographical area embraced therein has been enlarged, the Board, upon such terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate, shall by resolution enlarge the Zone to embrace the additional area.
(b) The duration of this Title shall be perpetual but any Signatory thereto may withdraw therefrom upon two years' written notice to the Board.
(c) The withdrawal of any Signatory shall not relieve such Signatory, any transportation district, county or city or other political subdivision thereof from any obligation to the Authority, or inuring to the benefit of the Authority, created by contract or otherwise.
Amendments and Supplements
84. Amendments and supplements to this Title to implement the purposes thereof may be adopted by legislative action of any of the Signatory parties concurred in by all of the others. When one Signatory adopts an amendment or supplement to an existing Section of the Compact, that amendment or supplement shall not be immediately effective, and the previously enacted provision or provisions shall remain in effect in each jurisdiction until the amendment or supplement is approved by the other Signatories and is consented to by Congress.
Construction and Severability
85. The provisions of this Title and of the agreements thereunder shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provision of this Title or any such agreement is declared to be unconstitutional or the applicability thereof to any Signatory party, political subdivision or agency thereof is held invalid, the constitutionality of the remainder of this Title or any such agreement and the applicability thereof to any other Signatory party, political subdivision or agency thereof or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. It is the legislative intent that the provisions of this Title be reasonably and liberally construed.
Effective Date; Execution
86. This Title shall be adopted by the Signatories in the manner provided by law therefor and shall be signed and sealed in four duplicate original copies. One such copy shall be filed with the Secretary of State of each of the Signatory parties or in accordance with laws of the State in which the filing is made, and one copy shall be filed and retained in the archives of the Authority upon its organization. This Title shall become effective ninety days after the enactment of concurring legislation by or on behalf of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia and consent thereto by the Congress and all other acts or actions have been taken, including the signing and execution of the Title by the Governors of Maryland and Virginia and the Mayor and Council of the District of Columbia.
1966, c. 2; 1969, Ex. Sess., c. 21; 1970, c. 590; 1972, c. 571; 1973, c. 508; 1974, c. 576; 1977, c. 592; 1981, c. 378; 1984, c. 610; 1987, c. 112; 1995, c. 150; 1997, c. 736; 2009, cc. 771, 828; § 56-529; 2014, c. 805; 2016, c. 535.
Chapter 31.01. Metro Reform Commission.
§ 33.2-3100.1. Metro Reform Commission established; membership; duties.A. As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Commission" means the Metro Reform Commission.
"WMATA" means the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
B. There is hereby created the Metro Reform Commission. The Commission shall consist of four members appointed as follows: two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates and two members appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. Members of the Commission may or may not be members of the General Assembly. Members shall be citizens of the Commonwealth, but shall not be required to reside in the area served by WMATA. Members shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties pursuant to §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825.
C. The Commission shall advise and make recommendations to the Signatories of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Compact of 1966 on reforms to the National Capital Area Interest Arbitration Standards Act.
Chapter 31.1. Washington Metrorail Safety Commission Interstate Compact.
§ 33.2-3101. Washington Metrorail Safety Commission Interstate Compact.The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission Interstate Compact is hereby enacted into law and entered into with all other jurisdictions legally joining therein in the form substantially as follows:
WASHINGTON METRORAIL SAFETY COMMISSION INTERSTATE COMPACT
Preamble
WHEREAS, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, an interstate compact agency of the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the State of Maryland, provides transportation services to millions of people each year, the safety of whom is paramount; and
WHEREAS, an effective and safe Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority system is essential to the commerce and prosperity of the National Capital region; and
WHEREAS, the Tri-State Oversight Committee, created by a memorandum of understanding amongst these three jurisdictions, has provided safety oversight of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority; and
WHEREAS, an amendment to 49 U.S.C. § 5329 requires the creation of a legally and financially independent state authority for safety oversight of all fixed rail transit facilities; and
WHEREAS, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the State of Maryland intend to create a Washington Metrorail Safety Commission to act as the state safety oversight authority for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority system under 49 U.S.C. § 5329; and
WHEREAS, this act is created for the benefit of the people of the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the State of Maryland and for the increase of their safety, commerce, and prosperity.
Article I. Definitions.
A. As used in this MSC Compact, the following words and terms shall have the meanings set forth below, unless the context clearly requires a different meaning. Capitalized terms used herein, but not otherwise defined in this act, shall have the definition set forth in regulations issued under 49 U.S.C. § 5329, as they may be revised from time to time:
"Alternate member" means an alternate member of the Board.
"Board" means the board of directors of the Commission.
"Commission" means the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission.
"Member" means a member of the Board.
"MSC Compact" means the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission Interstate Compact created by this act.
"Public transportation agency safety plan" means the comprehensive agency safety plan for a rail transit agency required by 49 U.S.C. § 5329 and the regulations thereunder, as may be amended or revised from time to time.
"Public transportation safety certification training program" means the federal certification training program, as established and amended from time to time by applicable federal laws and regulations, for federal and state employees, or other designated personnel, who conduct safety audits and examinations of public transportation systems and employees of public transportation agencies directly responsible for safety oversight.
"Safety-sensitive position" means any position held by a WMATA employee or contractor designated in the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan for the WMATA Rail System and approved by the Commission as directly or indirectly affecting the safety of the passengers or employees of the WMATA Rail System.
"Signatory" means the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
"State" or "jurisdiction" means the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
"Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority" or "WMATA" means the entity created by the WMATA Compact, which entity is responsible for providing certain rail fixed guideway public transportation system services.
"WMATA Compact" means the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Compact (Public Law 89 774; 80 Stat. 1324).
"WMATA Rail System" or "Metrorail" means the rail fixed guideway public transportation system and all other real and personal property owned, leased, operated, or otherwise used by WMATA rail services and shall include WMATA rail projects under design or construction by owners other than WMATA.
Article II. Purpose and Functions.
A. The Signatories to the WMATA Compact hereby adopt this MSC Compact pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 5329. The Commission created hereunder shall have safety regulatory and enforcement authority over the WMATA Rail System and shall act as the state safety oversight authority for WMATA under 49 U.S.C. § 5329, as may be amended from time to time. WMATA shall be subject to the Commission's rules, regulations, actions, and orders.
B. The purpose of this MSC Compact is to create a state safety oversight authority for the WMATA Rail System, pursuant to the mandate of federal law, as a common agency of each Signatory, empowered in the manner hereinafter set forth to review, approve, oversee, and enforce the safety of the WMATA Rail System, including, without limitation, to (i) have exclusive safety oversight authority and responsibility over the WMATA Rail System pursuant to federal law, including, without limitation, the power to restrict, suspend, or prohibit rail service on all or part of the WMATA Rail system as set forth in this MSC Compact; (ii) develop and adopt a written state safety oversight program standard; (iii) review and approve the WMATA public transportation agency safety plan; (iv) investigate Hazards, Incidents, and Accidents on the WMATA Rail System; (v) require, review, approve, oversee, and enforce Corrective Action Plans developed by WMATA; and (vi) meet other requirements of federal and state law relating to safety oversight of the WMATA Rail System.
Article III. Establishment and Organization.
A. Washington Metrorail Safety Commission.
1. The Commission is hereby created as an instrumentality of each Signatory, which shall be a public body corporate and politic, and which shall have the powers and duties set forth in this MSC Compact.
2. The Commission shall be financially and legally independent from WMATA.
B. Board Membership.
1. The Commission shall be governed by a Board of six members with two members appointed or reappointed, including to fill an unexpired term, by each Signatory pursuant to the signatory's applicable laws.
2. Each Signatory shall also appoint or reappoint, including to fill an unexpired term, one alternate member pursuant to the signatory's applicable laws.
3. An alternate member shall participate and take action as a member only in the absence of one or both members appointed from the same jurisdiction as the alternate member's appointing jurisdiction and, in such instances, may cast a single vote.
4. Members and alternate members shall have backgrounds in transit safety, transportation, relevant engineering disciplines, or public finance.
5. No member or alternate member shall simultaneously hold an elected public office, serve on the WMATA board of directors, be employed by WMATA, or be a contractor to WMATA.
6. Each member and alternate member shall serve a four-year term and may be reappointed for additional terms, except that each Signatory shall make its initial appointments as follows:
a. One member shall be appointed for a four-year term;
b. One member shall be appointed for a two-year term; and
c. The alternate member shall be appointed for a three-year term.
7. Any person appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve for the unexpired term.
8. Members and alternate members shall be entitled to reimbursement for reasonable and necessary expenses and shall be compensated for each day spent meeting on the business of the Commission at a rate of $ 200 per day or at such other rate as may be adjusted in appropriations approved by all of the Signatories.
9. A member or an alternate member may be removed or suspended from office only for cause in accordance with the laws of such member's or alternate member's appointing jurisdiction.
C. Quorum and Actions of the Board.
1. Four members shall constitute a quorum. The affirmative vote of four members is required for action of the Board, other than as provided in subdivision A 3 of Article IV. Quorum and voting requirements under this paragraph may be met with one or more alternate members pursuant to subdivision B 3.
2. The Commission's action shall become effective upon enactment unless otherwise provided for by the Commission.
D. Oath of Office.
1. Before entering office, each member and alternate member shall take and subscribe to the following oath or affirmation of office or any such other oath or affirmation as the constitution or laws of the Signatory he or she represents shall provide: "I, , hereby solemnly swear or affirm that I will support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States as a member (or alternate member) of the Board of the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission and will faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter."
E. Organization and Procedure.
1. The Board shall provide for its own organization and procedure. Meetings of the Board shall be held as frequently as the Board determines, but in no event less than quarterly. The Board shall keep minutes of its meetings and establish rules and regulations governing its transactions and internal affairs, including, without limitation, policies regarding records retention that are not in conflict with applicable federal record retention laws.
2. The Commission shall keep commercially reasonable records of its financial transactions in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
3. The Commission shall establish an office for the conduct of its affairs at a location to be determined by the Commission.
4. The Commission shall adopt the Federal Freedom of Information Act, codified at 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)-(d) and (g), and Government in the Sunshine Act, codified at 5 U.S.C. 552b, as both may be amended from time to time, as its freedom of information policy and open meeting policy, respectively, and shall not be subject to the comparable laws or policies of any Signatory.
5. Reports of investigations or inquiries adopted by the Board shall be made publicly available.
6. The Commission shall adopt a policy on conflict of interest that shall be consistent with the regulations issued under 49 U.S.C. § 5329, as they may be revised from time to time, which, among other things, places appropriate separation between members, officers, employees, contractors, and agents of the Commission and WMATA.
7. The Commission shall adopt and utilize its own administrative procedure and procurement policies in conformance with applicable federal regulations and shall not be subject to the administrative procedure or procurement laws of any Signatory.
F. Officers and Employees.
1. The Board shall elect a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer from among its members, each for a two-year term, and shall prescribe their powers and duties.
2. The Board shall appoint and fix the compensation and benefits of a chief executive officer who shall be the chief administrative officer of the Commission and who shall have expertise in transportation safety and one or more industry-recognized transportation safety certifications.
3. Consistent with 49 U.S.C. § 5329, as may be amended from time to time, the Commission may employ, under the direction of the chief executive officer, such other technical, legal, clerical, and other employees on a regular, part-time, or as-needed basis as it determines necessary or desirable for the discharge of its duties.
4. The Commission shall not be bound by any statute or regulation of any Signatory in the employment or discharge of any officer or employee of the Commission, but shall develop its own policies in compliance with federal law. The MSC shall, however, consider the laws of the Signatories in devising its employment and discharge policies, and when it deems it practical, devise policies consistent with the laws of the Signatories.
5. The Board may fix and provide policies for the qualification, appointment, removal, term, tenure, compensation benefits, workers' compensation, pension, and retirement rights of its employees subject to federal law. The Board may also establish a personnel system based on merit and fitness and, subject to eligibility, participate in the pension, retirement, and workers' compensation plans of any Signatory or agency or political subdivision thereof.
Article IV. Powers.
A. Safety Oversight Power.
1. In carrying out its purposes, the Commission, through its Board or designated employees or agents, shall, consistent with federal law:
a. Adopt, revise, and distribute a written State Safety Oversight Program;
b. Review, approve, oversee, and enforce the adoption and implementation of WMATA's public transportation agency safety plan;
c. Require, review, approve, oversee, and enforce the adoption and implementation of any Corrective Action Plans that the Commission deems appropriate;
d. Implement and enforce relevant federal and state laws and regulations relating to safety of the WMATA Rail System; and
e. Audit every three years the compliance of WMATA with WMATA's public transportation agency safety plan or conduct such an audit on an ongoing basis over a three-year time frame.
2. In performing its duties, the Commission, through its Board or designated employees or agents, may:
a. Conduct, or cause to be conducted, inspections, investigations, examinations, and testing of WMATA personnel and contractors, property, equipment, facilities, rolling stock, and operations of the WMATA Rail System, including, without limitation, electronic information and databases through reasonable means, which may include issuance of subpoenas;
b. Enter upon the WMATA Rail System and, upon reasonable notice and a finding by the chief executive officer that a need exists, upon any lands, waters, and premises adjacent to the WMATA Rail System, including, without limitation, property owned or occupied by the federal government, for the purpose of making inspections, investigations, examinations, and testing as the Commission may deem necessary to carry out the purposes of this MSC Compact, and such entry shall not be deemed a trespass. The Commission shall make reasonable reimbursement for any actual damage resulting to any such adjacent lands, waters, and premises as a result of such activities;
c. Compel WMATA's compliance with any Corrective Action Plan or order of the Commission by such means as the Commission deems appropriate, including, without limitation, by:
(1) Taking legal action in a court of competent jurisdiction;
(2) Issuing citations or fines with funds going into an escrow account for spending by WMATA on Commission-directed safety measures;
(3) Directing WMATA to prioritize spending on safety-critical items;
(4) Removing a specific vehicle, infrastructure element, or Hazard from the WMATA Rail System; and
(5) Compelling WMATA to restrict, suspend, or prohibit rail service on all or part of the WMATA Rail System with an appropriate notice period dictated by the circumstances.
d. Direct WMATA to suspend or disqualify from performing in any safety-sensitive position an individual who is alleged to or has violated safety rules, regulations, policies, or laws;
e. Compel WMATA's Office of the Inspector General, created under WMATA board resolution 2006-18, or any successor WMATA office or organization having similar duties, to conduct safety-related audits or investigations and to provide its findings to the Commission; and
f. Take such other actions as the Commission may deem appropriate consistent with its purpose and powers.
3. Action by the Board under subdivision 2 c (5) of subsection A of Article IV shall require the unanimous vote of all members present and voting. The Commission shall coordinate its enforcement activities with appropriate federal and state governmental authorities.
B. General Powers.
1. In addition to the powers and duties set forth above, the Commission may:
a. Sue and be sued;
b. Adopt, amend, and repeal rules and regulations respecting the exercise of the powers conferred by this MSC Compact;
c. Create and abolish offices, employments, and positions, other than those specifically provided for in this MSC Compact, necessary or desirable for the purposes of the Commission;
d. Determine a staffing level for the Commission that is commensurate with the size and complexity of the WMATA Rail System, and require that employees and other designated personnel of the Commission, who are responsible for safety oversight, be qualified to perform such functions through appropriate training, including, without limitation, successful completion of the public transportation safety certification training program;
e. Contract for or employ consulting attorneys, inspectors, engineers, and such other experts necessary or desirable and, within the limitations prescribed in this MSC Compact, prescribe their powers and duties and fix their compensation;
f. Enter into and perform contracts, leases, and agreements necessary or desirable in the performance of its duties and in the execution of the powers granted under this MSC Compact;
g. Apply for, receive, and accept such payments, appropriations, grants, gifts, loans, advances, and other funds, properties, and services as may be transferred or made available to it by the United States government or any other public or private entity or individual, subject to the limitations specified in subdivision D 3 of Article V;
h. Adopt an official seal and alter the same at its pleasure;
i. Adopt and amend by-laws, policies, and procedures governing the regulation of its affairs;
j. Appoint one or more advisory committees; and
k. Do such other acts necessary or desirable for the performance of its duties and the execution of its powers under this MSC Compact.
2. Consistent with this MSC Compact, the Commission shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the purposes of this MSC Compact.
Article V. General Provisions.
A. Annual Safety Report.
1. The Commission shall make and publish annually a status report on the safety of the WMATA Rail System, which shall include, among other requirements established by the Commission and federal law, status updates of outstanding Corrective Action Plans, Commission directives, and ongoing investigations. A copy of each such report shall be provided to:
a. The Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration;
b. The Governor of Virginia, the Governor of Maryland, and the Mayor of the District of Columbia;
c. The Chair of the Council of the District of Columbia;
d. The President of the Maryland Senate and the Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates;
e. The President of the Senate of Virginia and the Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates; and
f. The General Manager and each member of the board of directors of WMATA.
2. The Commission may prepare, publish, and distribute such other safety reports that it deems necessary or desirable.
B. Annual Report of Operations.
1. The Commission shall make and publish an annual report on its programs, operations, and finances, which shall be distributed in the same manner provided by subdivision A 1.
2. The Commission may also prepare, publish, and distribute such other public reports and informational materials as it deems necessary or desirable.
C. Annual Independent Audit.
An independent annual audit shall be made of the financial accounts of the Commission. The audit shall be made by qualified certified public accountants selected by the Board, who shall have no personal interest, direct or indirect, in the financial affairs of the Commission or any of its officers or employees. The report of audit shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing principles and shall be distributed in the same manner provided by subdivision A 1. Members, employees, agents, and contractors of the Commission shall provide access to information necessary or desirable for the conduct of the annual audit.
D. Financing.
1. The Commission's operations shall be funded, independently of WMATA, by the Signatory jurisdictions and, when available, by federal funds. The Commission shall have no authority to levy taxes.
2. The Signatories shall unanimously agree on adequate funding levels for the Commission and make equal contributions of such funding, subject to annual appropriation, to cover the portion of Commission operations not funded by federal funds.
3. The Commission may borrow up to five percent of its last annual appropriations budget in anticipation of receipts, or as otherwise set forth in the appropriations budget approved by all of the Signatories, from any lawful lending institution for any purpose of this Compact, including, without limitation, for administrative expenses. Such loans shall be for a term not to exceed two years, or at such longer term approved by each Signatory pursuant to its laws as evidenced by the written authorization by the Mayor of the District of Columbia and the Governors of Maryland and Virginia, and at such rates of interest as shall be acceptable to the Commission.
4. With respect to the District of Columbia, the commitment or obligation to render financial assistance to the Commission shall be created, by appropriation or in such other manner, or by such other legislation, as the District of Columbia shall determine; provided, that any such commitment or obligation shall be approved by Congress pursuant to the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 774; D.C. Official Code § 1-201.01 et seq.).
5. Pursuant to the requirements of 31 U.S.C. §§ 1341, 1342, 1349 to 1351, and 1511 to 1519, and D.C. Official Code §§ 47-105 and 47-355.01 to 355.08 (collectively, the "Anti-Deficiency Acts"), the District cannot obligate itself to any financial commitment in any present or future year unless the necessary funds to pay that commitment have been appropriated and are lawfully available for the purpose committed. Thus, pursuant to the Anti-Deficiency Acts, nothing in this MSC Compact creates an obligation of the District in anticipation of an appropriation for such purpose, and the District's legal liability for the payment of any amount under this MSC Compact does not and may not arise or obtain in advance of the lawful availability of appropriated funds for the applicable fiscal year.
E. Tax Exemption.
The exercise of the powers granted by this MSC Compact shall in all respects be for the benefit of the people of the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the State of Maryland and for the increase of their safety, commerce, and prosperity, and as the activities associated with this MSC Compact shall constitute the performance of essential governmental functions, the Commission shall not be required to pay any taxes or assessments upon the services or any property acquired or used by the Commission under the provisions of this MSC Compact or upon the income therefrom, and shall at all times be free from taxation within the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the State of Maryland.
F. Reconsideration of Commission Orders.
1. WMATA shall have the right to petition the Commission for reconsideration of an order based on rules and procedures developed by the Commission.
2. Consistent with subdivision C 2 of Article III, the filing of a petition for reconsideration shall not act as a stay upon the execution of a Commission order, or any part of it, unless the Commission orders otherwise. WMATA may appeal any adverse action on a petition for reconsideration as set forth in subdivision G 1.
G. Judicial Matters.
1. The United States District Courts for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, the United States District Courts for the District of Maryland, Southern Division, and the United States District Courts for the District of Columbia shall have exclusive and original jurisdiction of all actions brought by or against the Commission and to enforce subpoenas under this MSC Compact.
2. The commencement of a judicial proceeding shall not operate as a stay of a Commission order unless specifically ordered by the court.
H. Liability and Indemnification.
1. The Commission and its members, alternate members, officers, agents, employees, or representatives shall not be liable for suit or action or for any judgment or decree for damages, loss, or injury resulting from action taken within the scope of their employment or duties under this MSC Compact, nor required in any case arising or any appeal taken under this MSC Compact to give a supersedeas bond or security for damages. Nothing in this section shall be construed to protect such person from suit or liability for damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of such person.
2. The Commission shall be liable for its contracts and for its torts and those of its members, alternate members, officers, agents, employees, and representatives committed in the conduct of any proprietary function, in accordance with the law of the applicable Signatory, including, without limitation, rules on conflict of laws but shall not be liable for any torts occurring in the performance of a governmental function. The exclusive remedy for such breach of contract or tort for which the Commission shall be liable, as herein provided, shall be by suit against the Commission. Nothing contained in this MSC Compact shall be construed as a waiver by the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Virginia, or the State of Maryland of any immunity from suit.
I. Commitment of Parties.
Each of the Signatories pledges to each other faithful cooperation in providing safety oversight for the WMATA Rail System, and, to affect such purposes, agrees to consider in good faith and request any necessary legislation to achieve the objectives of this MSC Compact.
J. Amendments and Supplements.
Amendments and supplements to this MSC Compact shall be adopted by legislative action of each of the Signatories and the consent of Congress. When one Signatory adopts an amendment or supplement to an existing section of this MSC Compact, that amendment or supplement shall not be immediately effective, and the previously enacted provision or provisions shall remain in effect in each jurisdiction until the amendment or supplement is approved by the other Signatories and is consented to by Congress.
K. Withdrawal and Termination.
1. Any Signatory may withdraw from this MSC Compact, which action shall constitute a termination of this MSC Compact.
2. Withdrawal from this MSC Compact shall be by a Signatory's repeal of this MSC Compact from its laws, but such repeal shall not take effect until two years after the effective date of the repealed statute and written notice of the withdrawal being given by the withdrawing Signatory to the governors or mayors, as appropriate, of the other Signatories.
3. Prior to termination of this MSC Compact, the Commission shall provide to each Signatory:
a. A mechanism for concluding the operations of the Commission;
b. A proposal to maintain state safety oversight of the WMATA Rail System in compliance with applicable federal law;
c. A plan to hold surplus funds in a trust for a successor regulatory entity for four years after the termination of this MSC Compact; and
d. A plan to return any surplus funds that remain four years after the creation of the trust.
L. Construction and Severability.
1. This MSC Compact shall be liberally construed to effectuate the purposes for which it is created.
2. If any part or provision of this MSC Compact or the application thereof to any person or circumstances be adjudged invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall be confined in its operation to the part, provision, or application directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered and shall not affect or impair the validity of the remainder of this MSC Compact or the application thereof to other persons or circumstances, and the Signatories hereby declare that they would have entered into this MSC Compact or the remainder thereof had the invalidity of such provision or application thereof been apparent.
M. Adoption; Effective Date.
This MSC Compact shall be adopted by the Signatories in the manner provided by law therefor and shall be signed and sealed in four duplicate original copies. One such copy shall be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Maryland, the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the Secretary of the District of Columbia in accordance with the laws of each jurisdiction. One copy shall be filed and retained in the archives of the Commission upon its organization. This MSC Compact shall become effective upon the enactment of concurring legislation by the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the State of Maryland, and consent thereto by Congress and when all other acts or actions have been taken, including, without limitation, the signing and execution of this MSC Compact by the Governors of Maryland and Virginia and the Mayor of the District of Columbia.
N. Conflict of Laws.
1. Any conflict between any authority granted herein, or the exercise of such authority, and the provisions of the WMATA Compact shall be resolved in favor of the exercise of such authority by the Commission.
2. All other general or special laws inconsistent with this MSC Compact are hereby declared to be inapplicable to the Commission or its activities.
§ 33.2-3102. Virginia-specific requirements.A. Members of the Board of Directors of the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission for the Commonwealth of Virginia shall be appointed by the Governor of Virginia and subject to confirmation by the General Assembly.
B. The Secretary of Transportation, in coordination with the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, shall engage his counterparts in Maryland and Washington, D.C., and the appropriate officials in the federal government for the purpose of revising the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Compact of 1966 and implementing other reforms necessary to ensure the near-term and long-term viability of the Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA). In doing so, the Secretary shall develop, propose, and seek agreement on reforms related to the following: (i) the legal and organizational structure of WMATA; (ii) the composition and qualifications of the WMATA Board of Directors and the length of terms of its members; (iii) labor costs and labor relations; (iv) measures necessary to resolve WMATA's unfunded pension liability and other postemployment benefits; (v) measures necessary to better ensure the safety of riders and employees, including safety in the event of a homeland security emergency in the national capital area; and (vi) financial and operational improvements necessary to ensure that WMATA's performance is at least as efficient as its closest comparable transit systems in the United States. The Secretary shall report to and consult quarterly beginning June 30, 2017, with the Chairmen of the House and Senate Transportation Committees regarding activity taken in accordance with this subsection.
Chapter 32. Metropolitan Planning Organizations.
§ 33.2-3200. Metropolitan planning organizations; membership.Any metropolitan planning organization may vote, upon the prior written authorization of the Governor, to have its membership expanded to include members of the House of Delegates as selected by the Speaker of the House of Delegates and members of the Senate as selected by the Senate Committee on Rules.
2010, c. 45, § 33.1-223.2:23; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-3201. Transportation planning duties and responsibilities of Metropolitan planning organizations.The metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) of the Commonwealth shall be responsible for the development of regional long-range transportation plans for the regions they represent in accordance with federal regulation. Each such long-range plan shall include a fiscally constrained list of all multi-modal transportation projects, including those managed at the statewide level either by the Department of Transportation or the Department of Rail and Public Transportation. The purpose of the regional long-range transportation plan is to comply with federal regulations and provide the MPOs and the region a source of candidate projects for use by the MPOs in developing regional Transportation Improvement Programs (TIPs) and serving as an input to assist the Commonwealth with the development of the Statewide Transportation Plan (VTrans).
The MPOs shall:
1. Develop amendments for their regional TIPs in accordance with federal regulations;
2. Coordinate planning and programming actions with those of the Commonwealth and duly established public transit agencies in accordance with federal regulations;
3. Examine the structure and cost of transit operations within the regions they represent and incorporate the results of these inquiries into their plans and endorse long-range plans for assuring maximum utilization and integration of mass transportation facilities throughout the Commonwealth; and
4. Conduct a public involvement process focused on projects and topics that will best enable them to develop and approve Long Range Transportation Plans (LRTPs) that shall be submitted for approval by their board and forwarded to the Commonwealth Transportation Board and updated as required by federal regulations.
2011, c. 554, § 33.1-223.2:25; 2014, c. 805.
§ 33.2-3202. Distribution of certain federal funds.Metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) as defined under 23 U.S.C. § 134 and § 8 of the Federal Transit Act shall be authorized to issue contracts for studies and to develop and approve transportation plans and improvement programs to the full extent permitted by federal law.
The Commonwealth Transportation Board, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall develop and implement a decision-making process that provides MPOs and regional transportation planning bodies a meaningful opportunity for input into transportation decisions that impact the transportation system within their boundaries. Such a process shall provide the MPOs and regional transportation planning bodies with the Commonwealth Transportation Board's priorities for development of the Six-Year Improvement Program developed pursuant to § 33.2-214 and an opportunity for them to identify their regional priorities for consideration.
1994, c. 741, § 33.1-23.03:01; 2011, c. 554; 2014, c. 805.
Chapter 33. Williamsburg Area Transit Authority.
§ 33.2-3300. Authority created.There is hereby created a political subdivision of the Commonwealth known as the Williamsburg Area Transit Authority, hereinafter known as "the Authority."
In addition to such other powers vested in the Authority by this chapter, the Authority shall have the following powers and functions:
1. The Authority shall prepare a regional transit plan for all or a portion of the areas located within the jurisdictional boundaries of each member locality. The regional transit plan may include all or portions of those areas within the City of Williamsburg, the County of James City and such portions of York County as its governing body desires to have covered, and the areas owned or operated by the College of William and Mary in Virginia and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, including transit improvements of regional significance, and those improvements necessary or incidental thereto, and the Authority shall from time to time revise and amend the plan.
2. The Authority may, when a transit plan is adopted according to subdivision 1, construct or acquire, by purchase, lease, contract, or otherwise, the transit facilities specified in such transit plan.
3. The Authority may enter into agreements or leases with public or private entities for the operation of its facilities, or may operate such facilities itself.
4. The Authority may enter into contracts or agreements with the counties and cities embraced by the Authority, with other transit commissions of transportation districts adjoining any county or city embraced by the Authority, with any transportation authority, or with any state, local, private, or federal entity to provide, or cause to be provided, transit facilities and services to the area embraced by the Authority. Such contracts or agreements, together with any agreements or leases for the operation of such facilities, may be used by the Authority to finance the construction and operation of transit facilities, and such contracts, agreements, or leases shall inure to the benefit of any creditor of the Authority.
5. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Authority may:
a. Acquire land or any interest therein by purchase, lease, or gift and provide transit facilities thereon for use in connection with any transit service;
b. Acquire land or any interest therein by purchase, lease, or gift in advance of the need for sale or contribution to an agency, for use by that agency in connection with an adopted transit plan; or
c. Prepare a plan for mass transit services with persons, cities, counties, agencies, authorities, or transportation commissions and may further contract with any such person or other entity to provide necessary facilities, equipment, operations and maintenance, access, and insurance pursuant to such plan.
2006, c. 179, § 15.2-6801; 2015, c. 256.
§ 33.2-3301. Counties and cities embraced by the Authority.Upon adoption of an approving ordinance by each of the respective governing bodies wishing to join the Authority, the Authority shall embrace the County of James City, such portions of York County as its governing body desires to have covered, and the City of Williamsburg.
2006, c. 179, § 15.2-6802; 2015, c. 256.
§ 33.2-3302. Composition of Authority; membership; terms.Upon adoption of an approving ordinance by each of the respective governing bodies wishing to join the Authority, the Authority may consist of up to seven members as follows:
Two members representing James City County;
One member representing York County; and
One member representing the City of Williamsburg.
In addition, the county and municipal corporation members may elect up to three additional members to represent the interests of higher-education facilities and private, nonprofit tourist-driven agencies in the Williamsburg area, provided that such member facilities and organizations contribute significant financial resources to the Authority.
The Authority shall appoint the chairman and vice-chairman.
2006, c. 179, § 15.2-6803; 2015, c. 256.
§ 33.2-3303. Staff.The Authority shall employ an executive director and such staff as it deems necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities under this chapter. No such person shall contemporaneously serve as a member of the Authority. The Department of Transportation and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall make their employees available to assist the Authority, upon request.
2006, c. 179, § 15.2-6804; 2015, c. 256.
§ 33.2-3304. Decisions of Authority.A majority of the members of the Authority shall constitute a quorum. Decisions of the Authority shall require a quorum and shall be in accordance with voting procedures established by the Authority.
2006, c. 179, § 15.2-6805; 2015, c. 256.
§ 33.2-3305. Allocation of certain Authority expenses among component members.The administrative expenses of the Authority, as provided in an annual budget adopted by the Authority, to the extent funds for such expenses are not provided from other sources, shall be allocated among the component counties, city, and educational and nonprofit agencies pursuant to a funding formula as duly adopted by the Authority.
2006, c. 179, § 15.2-6806; 2015, c. 256.
§ 33.2-3306. Payment to members of Authority.The members of the Authority may be paid for their services compensation in either (i) the amount provided in the general appropriation act for members of the General Assembly engaged in legislative business between sessions or (ii) a lesser amount as determined by the Authority. Members may be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825, if approved by the Authority. Funding for the costs of compensation and expenses of the members shall be provided by the Authority.
2006, c. 179, § 15.2-6807; 2015, c. 256.
§ 33.2-3307. Formation of advisory committees.The Authority may, in its discretion, form advisory committees to assist the Authority.
2006, c. 179, § 15.2-6808; 2015, c. 256.
§ 33.2-3308. Other duties and responsibilities of Authority.In addition to other powers herein granted, the Authority shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
1. General oversight of Williamsburg area programs involving mass transit or congestion mitigation;
2. Long-range transit planning in the Williamsburg area, both financially constrained and financially unconstrained;
3. Recommending to state, regional, and federal agencies regional transit priorities, including public-private transit projects and funding allocations;
4. Allocating to priority regional transit projects any funds made available to the Authority and, at the discretion of the Authority, directly overseeing such projects;
5. Recommending to the Commonwealth Transportation Board priority regional transit projects for receipt of federal and state funds;
6. Serving as an advocate for the transit needs of the Williamsburg area before the state and federal governments;
7. Applying to and negotiating with the government of the United States, the Commonwealth, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, for grants and any other funds available to carry out the purposes of this chapter and receiving, holding, accepting, and administering from any source gifts, bequests, grants, aid, or contributions of money, property, labor, or other things of value to be held, used, and applied to carry out the purposes of this chapter subject, however, to any conditions upon which gifts, bequests, grants, aid, or contributions are made. Unless otherwise restricted by the terms of the gift, bequest, or grant, the Authority may sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of such money, securities, or other property given or bequeathed to it in furtherance of its purposes.
2006, c. 179, § 15.2-6809; 2015, c. 256.
Chapter 34. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Capital Fund.
§ 33.2-3400. Definitions.As used in this chapter:
"Fund" means the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Capital Fund.
"NVTC" means the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission.
"WMATA" means the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
§ 33.2-3401. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Capital Fund.A. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund for the benefit of the Northern Virginia Transportation District to be known as the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Capital Fund. The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All revenues dedicated to the Fund pursuant to §§ 33.2-2400, 33.2-3404, 58.1-802.3, 58.1-1741, 58.1-1743, and 58.1-2299.20 shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund as set forth in subsection B and shall be used for the payment of capital purposes incurred, or to be incurred, by WMATA. Interest on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. The Comptroller shall disburse funds to WMATA on a monthly basis if NVTC has provided the certification required by subsection B of § 33.2-3402.
B. 1. Within the Fund, there shall be established a separate, segregated account into which revenues dedicated to the Fund pursuant to §§ 33.2-2400 and 58.1-1741 shall be deposited (the Restricted Account). Revenues deposited into the Restricted Account shall be available for use by WMATA for capital purposes other than for the payment of, or security for, debt service on bonds or other indebtedness of WMATA.
2. Within the Fund, there shall be established a separate, segregated account into which revenues dedicated to the Fund pursuant to §§ 33.2-3404, 58.1-802.3, 58.1-1743, and 58.1-2299.20 shall be deposited (the Non-Restricted Account). Revenues deposited into the Non-Restricted Account shall be available for use by WMATA for capital purposes, including for the payment of, or security for, debt service on bonds or other indebtedness of WMATA, or for any other WMATA capital purposes.
C. The amounts deposited into the Fund and the distribution and expenditure of such amounts shall not be used to calculate or reduce the share of federal, state, or local revenues otherwise available to participating jurisdictions. Further, such revenues and moneys shall not be included in any computation of, or formula for, a locality's ability to pay for public education, upon which appropriations of state revenues to local governments for public education are determined.
§ 33.2-3402. NVTC oversight.A. In any year that funds are deposited into the Fund, the NVTC shall request certain documents and reports from WMATA to confirm the benefits of the WMATA system to persons living, traveling, commuting, and working in the localities that the NVTC comprises. Such documents and reports shall include:
1. WMATA's annual capital budget;
2. WMATA's annual independent financial audit;
3. WMATA's National Transit Data annual profile; and
4. Single audit reports issued in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principals, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 C.F.R. Part 200).
B. NVTC shall be responsible for coordinating the delivery of such documents and reports with WMATA. Funding of the Commonwealth to support WMATA pursuant to § 33.2-1526.1 shall be contingent on WMATA providing the documents and reports described in subsection A, and NVTC shall provide annual certification to the Comptroller that such documents and reports have been received.
§ 33.2-3403. NVTC report.By December 15 of each year that funds are deposited into the Fund, NVTC shall report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the performance and condition of WMATA. Such report shall contain, at a minimum, documentation of the following:
1. The safety and reliability of the rapid heavy rail mass transportation system and bus network;
2. The financial performance of WMATA related to the operations of the rapid heavy rail mass transportation system, including farebox recovery, service per rider, and cost per service hour;
3. The financial performance of WMATA related to the operations of the bus mass transportation system, including farebox recovery, service per rider, and cost per service hour;
4. Potential strategies to reduce the growth in such costs and to improve the efficiency of WMATA operations;
5. Use of the funds provided from the Fund to improve the safety and condition of the rapid heavy rail mass transportation system; and
6. Ridership of the rapid heavy rail mass transportation system and the bus mass transportation system.
2018, cc. 854, 856; 2020, c. 792.
§ 33.2-3404. Local transportation support for WMATA.A. Each county or city that (i) is located in a transportation district that as of January 1, 2018, meets the criteria established in § 33.2-1936 and (ii) has financial obligations to a transit system that operates a rapid heavy rail mass transit system operating on an exclusive right-of-way that is funded and controlled in part by such transportation district shall annually pay to the Fund an amount as determined by subsection B.
B. The amount to be paid by each local government pursuant to subsection A shall be determined by multiplying $27.12 million by a fraction the numerator of which shall be such local government's share of capital funding for WMATA and the denominator of which shall be the total share of capital funding for WMATA for all local governments in the Commonwealth.
C. A locality subject to subsection A shall pay the amount determined by subsection B by transferring a portion of the revenues received pursuant to subsection B of § 33.2-2510 to the Fund. However, in any fiscal year in which a locality subject to subsection A has adopted a budget and a corresponding resolution to provide the amount of funds determined pursuant to subsection B from a source other than the revenues received pursuant to subsection B of § 33.2-2510, such locality may provide the funds for that fiscal year from such other source, and shall not be required to transfer funds received pursuant to subdivision B of § 33.2-2510.
Chapter 35. Commuter Rail Operating and Capital Fund.
§ 33.2-3500. Commuter Rail Operating and Capital Fund.A. The General Assembly declares it to be in the public interest that developing and continuing commuter rail operations and developing rail infrastructure, rolling stock, and support facilities to support commuter rail service are important elements of a balanced transportation system in the Commonwealth and further declares that retaining, maintaining, improving, and developing commuter rail-related infrastructure improvements and operations are essential to the Commonwealth's continued economic growth, vitality, and competitiveness in national and world markets.
B. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Commuter Rail Operating and Capital Fund, referred to in this section as "the Fund." The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller and shall consist of funds deposited into the Fund pursuant to § 58.1-2299.20 and other funds as may be set forth in a general appropriation act or allocated by the Commonwealth Transportation Board. Such funds shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. The Comptroller shall disburse funds in the Fund monthly to transportation districts established pursuant to Chapter 19 (§ 33.2-1900 et seq.) that on July 1, 2018, jointly operate a commuter rail system. The amount distributed to each transportation district shall be determined by multiplying the total amount of funds available for disbursement by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be such transportation district's share of funding for the commuter rail service jointly operated by the two transportation districts and the denominator of which shall be the total funding provided by both transportation districts for such commuter rail service.
C. If the transportation districts described in subsection B determine that such moneys distributed to the districts exceed the amount required to meet the current capital and operating needs of the commuter rail system, they may invest such excess moneys to the same extent as provided in subsection A of § 33.2-1525 for excess funds in the Transportation Trust Fund.
D. The amounts deposited into the Fund and the distribution and expenditure of such amounts shall not be used to calculate or reduce the share of federal, state, or local revenues otherwise available to participating jurisdictions. Further, such revenues and moneys shall not be included in any computation of, or formula for, a locality's ability to pay for public education, upon which appropriations of state revenues to local governments for public education are determined. Any amounts deposited pursuant to § 58.1-2299.20 shall be considered local funds when used to make a required match for state or federal transportation grant funds.
§ 33.2-3501. Use of revenues in the Fund.A. The transportation districts described in subsection B of § 33.2-3500 shall administer and expend, or commit, funds from the Fund to support the cost of operating commuter rail service; acquiring, leasing, or improving railways or railroad equipment, rolling stock, rights-of-way, or facilities; or assisting other appropriate entities to acquire, lease, or improve railways or railroad equipment, rolling stock, rights-of-way, or facilities for commuter rail transportation purposes whenever such transportation districts have determined that such acquisition, lease, or improvement is for the common good of a region of the Commonwealth or the Commonwealth as a whole. Funds provided in this section may also be used as matching funds for federal grants to support commuter rail projects.
B. Capital projects, including tracks and facilities constructed, and property, equipment, and rolling stock purchased, with funds from the Fund pursuant to this section shall be owned, leased, or otherwise subject to the continuing use of the transportation districts described in subsection B of § 33.2-3500 for the useful life of the projects and property, equipment, and rolling stock, as determined by such transportation districts, and shall be made available for use by all commuter rail operations and common carriers using the railway system to which they connect under the trackage rights or operating agreements between the parties. Such transportation districts may transfer ownership of any tracks or property to the Commonwealth. Projects undertaken pursuant to this section shall be limited to those providing benefits to a region of the Commonwealth, the Commonwealth as a whole, or an adjacent jurisdiction served by commuter rail originating in the Commonwealth.
§ 33.2-3502. Authority to issue bonds.The transportation districts described in subsection B of § 33.2-3500 may issue bonds and other evidences of debt as may be authorized by this section or other law. The provisions of Article 5 (§ 33.2-1920 et seq.) of Chapter 19 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the issuance of such bonds or other debt. The Authority may issue bonds or other debt in such amounts as it deems appropriate. The bonds may be supported by any funds available in the Fund, provided that the total amount of debt service for all outstanding bonds may not exceed 66 percent of the revenues dedicated to the Fund pursuant to § 58.1-2299.20.
Chapter 36. Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Program and Fund.
§ 33.2-3600. Definitions.As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Committee" means the Interstate 81 Committee established pursuant to § 33.2-3603.
"Fund" means the Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Fund.
"Interstate 81 corridor" means Interstate 81, Route 11, and other parallel highways, parallel railways, and related transportation facilities that help move people and goods.
"Plan" means the Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Plan adopted by the Board on December 5, 2018, and any updates or amendments made thereto in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
"Program" means an Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Program.
§ 33.2-3601. Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Fund.A. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Fund. The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All revenues dedicated to the Fund pursuant to §§ 33.2-372 and 58.1-2299.20, any other funds that may be appropriated by the General Assembly, and any funds that may be received for credit to the Fund from any other sources shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund.
B. Moneys in the Fund shall be used only for capital, operating, and other improvement costs identified in the Plan.
C. The amounts deposited into the Fund and the distribution and expenditure of such amounts shall not be used to calculate or reduce the share of federal, state, or local revenues otherwise available to jurisdictions along the Interstate 81 corridor. Further, such revenues and moneys shall not be included in any computation of, or formula for, a locality's ability to pay for public education, upon which appropriations of state revenues to local governments for public education are determined.
2019, cc. 837, 846; 2020, cc. 1230, 1275.
§ 33.2-3602. Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Program; report.A. The Board shall adopt an Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Program. The Program shall, at a minimum:
1. Allocate year by year the revenues, if any, from the Fund and bond proceeds, if any, backed by the Fund to projects and strategies identified in the Plan adopted by the Board;
2. Include a financing plan to support such allocation; and
3. Include a schedule for all new projects and strategies identified in the Plan adopted by the Board.
B. Prior to the adoption of such Program, the Board shall review the recommendations of and consult with the Committee.
C. The Board shall update the Program annually by July 1.
D. By December 15 of each year, the Board shall report to the General Assembly regarding the status and progress of implementation of the Program. The report shall be submitted to the Chairmen of the House Committees on Appropriations and Transportation and the Senate Committees on Finance and Appropriations and on Transportation. Prior to the submission of such report each year, the Board shall consult with the Committee. The report shall include, at a minimum:
1. The safety and performance of the Interstate 81 corridor, including the number of incidents, the average duration of incidents, the number and average duration of incidents involving lane closures, and the person-hours of delay along the Interstate 81 corridor;
2. An assessment of the effectiveness of the operational strategies and capital projects implemented and funded through the Program;
3. The status of capital projects funded through the Program; and
4. The current and projected balances of the Fund.
§ 33.2-3603. Interstate 81 Committee.A. The Board shall establish an Interstate 81 Committee.
B. The purpose of the Committee shall be to provide advice and recommendations to the Board regarding (i) the development of the Program pursuant to § 33.2-3602 and (ii) updates to the Plan pursuant to § 33.2-3604.
C. The Committee shall hold at least four meetings each year and consult with interested stakeholders. The Committee's meetings shall rotate among locations in Planning Districts 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.
D. The Committee shall be composed of 15 voting members and two ex officio members as follows:
1. The chairs of planning district commissions for Planning Districts 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, or in the discretion of a chairman, his designee, who shall be a current elected official serving on such commission;
2. Four members of the House of Delegates, each of whom resides in Planning District 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates. None of the four members shall live in the same planning district;
3. Three members of the Senate, each of whom resides in Planning District 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. None of the three members shall live in the same planning district;
4. The three members of the Board representing the Bristol, Salem, and Staunton highway construction districts; and
5. The Commissioner of Highways and the Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall serve ex officio with nonvoting privileges.
E. The Committee shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its membership. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.
F. All members of the Committee shall serve terms coincident with their terms in office or position. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
G. The Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall support the Committee, as appropriate.
§ 33.2-3604. Updates to the Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Plan; requirements.A. The Board, in consultation with the Committee and with the support of the Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment, shall regularly update the Plan. In updating the Plan, the Board and Committee shall, at a minimum:
1. Analyze existing conditions of the Interstate 81 corridor to identify key needs related to safety, congestion, and incident-related delays;
2. Identify potential improvements to address the needs identified pursuant to subdivision 1, including roadway improvements, multimodal improvements, speed enforcement strategies, operational strategies, and upgrades to adjacent and parallel transportation facilities;
3. Prioritize potential improvements in a manner consistent with § 33.2-214.1;
4. Identify corridor-wide incident management strategies;
5. Analyze and review truck parking needs along the Interstate 81 corridor;
6. Hold public meetings throughout the Interstate 81 corridor; and
7. Consider any other items deemed appropriate by the Board.
B. Technical assistance shall be provided to the Board by the Department of Transportation, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the Department of State Police. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Board to fulfill the requirements of this section, upon request.
§ 33.2-3605. Continuing responsibilities of the Commonwealth Transportation Board and Department of Transportation.The Board shall allocate funding to, and the Department shall perform or cause to be performed, all maintenance and operation of bridges, tunnels, and roadways and shall perform such other required services and activities with respect to such bridges, tunnels, and roadways as were being performed on July 1, 2019.
Chapter 37. Central Virginia Transportation Authority.
§ 33.2-3700. Definitions.As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Authority" means the Central Virginia Transportation Authority.
"Fund" means the Central Virginia Transportation Fund.
2020, c. 1235.
§ 33.2-3701. Central Virginia Transportation Fund.A. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund for Planning District 15 to be known as the Central Virginia Transportation Fund. The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All revenues dedicated to the Fund pursuant to § 58.1-638 and Chapter 22.1 (§ 58.1-2291 et seq.) of Title 58.1 shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. The moneys deposited in the Fund shall be used solely for (i) transportation purposes benefiting the localities comprising Planning District 15 and (ii) administrative and operating expenses as specified in subsection B of § 33.2-3706.
B. The amounts dedicated to the Fund shall be deposited monthly by the Comptroller into the Fund and thereafter distributed to the Authority as soon as practicable for use in accordance with this chapter. If the Authority determines that such moneys distributed to it exceed the amount required to meet the current needs and demands to fund transportation purposes pursuant to this chapter, the Authority may invest such excess moneys to the same extent and in the same manner as provided in subsection A of § 33.2-1525 for excess funds in the Transportation Trust Fund.
C. The amounts deposited into the Fund and the distribution and expenditure of such amounts shall not be used to calculate or reduce the share of federal, state, or local revenues otherwise available to participating localities. Further, such revenues and moneys shall not be included in any computation of, or formula for, a locality's ability to pay for public education, upon which appropriations of state revenues to local governments for public education are determined.
D. After provision for the payment of administrative and operating expenses as specified in subsection B of § 33.2-3706, the revenues in the Fund shall be allocated as follows:
1. Thirty-five percent shall be retained by the Authority to be used for transportation-related purposes benefiting the localities comprising Planning District 15;
2. Fifteen percent shall be distributed to the Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC), or its successor, to provide transit and mobility services in Planning District 15; and
3. Fifty percent shall be returned, proportionally, to each locality located in Planning District 15 to be used to improve local mobility, which may include construction, maintenance, or expansion of roads, sidewalks, trails, mobility services, or transit located in the locality.
E. Each locality's share of the revenues returned pursuant to subdivision D 3 shall be the total of the taxes dedicated to the Fund that are generated or attributable to the locality divided by the total of such taxes dedicated to the Fund. Each locality shall create a separate, special fund in which all revenues received pursuant to subdivision D 3 shall be deposited. Each locality shall annually provide to the Authority sufficient documentation, as required by the Authority, showing that the revenues distributed under subdivision D 3 were used for the purposes set forth therein.
F. The projects and other transportation purposes supported by the revenues allocated under subdivisions D 1 and 2 shall be approved by the Authority.
G. The GRTC shall create a separate, special fund in which all revenues received pursuant to subdivision D 2 shall be deposited. The GRTC shall develop a plan for regional public transportation within Planning District 15 in collaboration with the Richmond Regional Transportation Planning Organization in conformance with the guidelines required by § 33.2-286. The GRTC shall annually provide to the Authority sufficient documentation, as required by the Authority, showing that the revenues distributed under subdivision D 2 were applied in accordance with Authority approval and the guidelines required by § 33.2-286.
H. The Authority shall develop a prioritization process based on an objective and quantifiable analysis that considers the benefits of projects relative to their cost. Only projects evaluated using such process may be funded pursuant to subdivision D 1.
2020, c. 1235.
§ 33.2-3702. Central Virginia Transportation Authority created.The Central Virginia Transportation Authority is hereby created as a body politic and as a political subdivision of the Commonwealth. The Authority shall embrace each county, city, and town located in Planning District 15, which is established pursuant to Chapter 42 (§ 15.2-4200 et seq.) of Title 15.2.
2020, c. 1235.
§ 33.2-3703. Composition of Authority.The Authority shall consist of 18 members as follows:
1. The chief elected officer, or his designee, of the governing body of each of the counties embraced by the Authority;
2. The chief elected officer, or his designee, of the City of Richmond and the Town of Ashland;
3. One member of the House of Delegates who resides in a county or city embraced by the Authority, appointed by the Speaker of the House, and one member of the Senate who resides in a county or city embraced by the Authority, appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules;
4. A member of the Commonwealth Transportation Board who resides in a locality embraced by the Authority and is appointed by the Governor; and
5. The following six persons serving ex officio as nonvoting members of the Authority: the Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, or his designee; the Commissioner of Highways, or his designee; the Executive Director of the Virginia Port Authority, or his designee; the Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC); the Chief Executive Officer of the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority; and the Chief Executive Officer of the Capital Region Airport Commission.
All members of the Authority shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. If a member of the Authority who represents a locality as provided in subdivision 1 or 2 is unable to attend a meeting of the Authority, he may designate another current elected official of such governing body to attend such meeting of the Authority. Such designation shall be for the purposes of one meeting and shall be submitted in writing or electronically to the Chairman of the Authority at least 48 hours prior to the affected meeting.
The Authority shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its voting membership.
The Auditor of Public Accounts, or his legally authorized representatives, shall annually audit the financial accounts of the Authority, and the cost of such audit shall be borne by the Authority.
2020, c. 1235; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 142; 2022, cc. 189, 190.
§ 33.2-3704. Staff.The Authority may employ a chief executive officer and such staff as it shall determine to be necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities under this chapter. No such person shall contemporaneously serve as a member of the Authority. The Department of Transportation and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall make their employees available to assist the Authority, upon request.
2020, c. 1235.
§ 33.2-3705. Decisions of the Authority.A majority of voting members of the Authority shall constitute a quorum. Vacancies shall not be considered in the establishment of a quorum. Votes of the chief elected officers of localities, or their designees, appointed to the Authority shall be weighted, based upon population of the locality, as follows: (i) the chief elected officers, or their designees, from the Counties of Chesterfield and Henrico and the City of Richmond shall each receive four votes; (ii) the chief elected officer, or his designee, from the County of Hanover shall receive three votes; (iii) the chief elected officers, or their designees, from the Counties of Goochland, New Kent, and Powhatan shall each receive two votes; and (iv) the chief elected officers, or their designees, from the Town of Ashland and the County of Charles City shall each receive one vote. The Delegate and Senator appointed to the Authority and the member of the Commonwealth Transportation Board appointed by the Governor shall each receive one vote. Decisions of the Authority shall require an affirmative vote of those present and voting whose votes represent at least four-fifths of the population embraced by the Authority; however, no motion to fund a specific facility or service shall fail because of this population criterion if such facility or service is not located or to be located or provided or to be provided within the county or city whose chief elected officer's or elected official's, or its respective designee's, sole negative vote caused the facility or service to fail to meet the population criterion. The population of counties and cities embraced by the Authority shall be the population as determined by the most recently preceding decennial census, except that on July 1 of the fifth year following such census, the population of each county and city shall be adjusted, based on population estimates made by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service of the University of Virginia.
2020, c. 1235.
§ 33.2-3706. Annual budget and allocation of expenses.A. The Authority shall adopt an annual budget and develop a funding plan to be supported by the revenues allocated under subdivision D 1 of § 33.2-3701 and shall provide for such development and adoption in its bylaws. The funding plan shall provide for the expenditure of funds for transportation purposes over a four-to-six-year period and shall align with the Statewide Transportation Plan established pursuant to § 33.2-353, the long-range transportation plan of Planning District 15, or the long-range transportation plans of participating localities as much as possible. The Authority shall solicit public comment on its budget and funding plan by posting a summary of such budget and funding plan on its website and holding a public hearing. Such public hearing shall be advertised on the Authority's website and in a newspaper of general circulation in Planning District 15.
B. The administrative and operating expenses of the Authority shall be provided in an annual budget adopted by the Authority and to the extent funds for such expenses are not provided from other sources shall be paid from the Fund. Such budget shall be limited solely to the administrative and operating expenses of the Authority and shall not include any funds for construction or acquisition of transportation facilities or the maintenance or performance of any transportation service.
C. Members may be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary expenses provided in §§ 2.2-2813 and 2.2-2825, if approved by the Authority. Funding for the costs of compensation and expenses of the members shall be provided by the Authority.
2020, c. 1235.
§ 33.2-3707. Authority to issue bonds.The Authority may issue bonds and other evidences of debt as may be authorized by this section or other law. The provisions of Article 5 (§ 33.2-1920 et seq.) of Chapter 19 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the issuance of such bonds or other debt. The Authority may issue bonds or other debt in such amounts as it deems appropriate. The bonds may be supported by any funds available.
2020, c. 1235.
§ 33.2-3708. Powers of the Authority.A. The Authority shall have the following powers together with all powers incidental thereto or necessary for the performance of those hereinafter stated:
1. To sue and be sued and to prosecute and defend, at law or in equity, in any court having jurisdiction of the subject matter and of the parties;
2. To adopt and use a corporate seal and to alter the same at its pleasure;
3. To procure insurance, participate in insurance plans, and provide self-insurance; however, the purchase of insurance, participation in an insurance plan, or the creation of a self-insurance plan by the Authority shall not be deemed a waiver or relinquishment of any sovereign immunity to which the Authority or its officers, directors, employees, or agents are otherwise entitled;
4. To establish bylaws and make all rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, deemed expedient for the management of the Authority's affairs;
5. To apply for and accept money, materials, contributions, grants, or other financial assistance from the United States and agencies or instrumentalities thereof, the Commonwealth and any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of the Commonwealth, and any legitimate private source;
6. To acquire real and personal property or any interest therein by purchase, lease, gift, or otherwise for purposes consistent with this chapter and to hold, encumber, sell, or otherwise dispose of such land or interest for purposes consistent with this chapter;
7. To acquire by purchase, lease, contract, or otherwise, highways, bridges, or tunnels and to construct the same by purchase, lease, contract, or otherwise;
8. In consultation with the Commonwealth Transportation Board for projects that encompass a state highway, and with each city or county in which the facility or any part thereof is or is to be located, to repair, expand, enlarge, construct, reconstruct, or renovate any or all highways, bridges, and tunnels within Planning District 15 and to acquire any real or personal property needed for any such purpose;
9. To enter into agreements or leases with public or private entities for the operation and maintenance of bridges, transit and rail facilities, and highways;
10. To make and execute contracts, deeds, mortgages, leases, and all other instruments and agreements necessary or convenient for the performance of its duties and the exercise of its powers and functions under this chapter;
11. To the extent funds are made or become available to the Authority to do so, to employ employees, agents, advisors, and consultants, including without limitation attorneys, financial advisers, engineers, and other technical advisers and, the provisions of any other law to the contrary notwithstanding, to determine their duties and compensation;
12. To exercise the powers of a locality pursuant to § 33.2-269; and
13. To the extent not inconsistent with the other provisions of this chapter, and without limiting or restricting the powers otherwise given the Authority, to exercise all of the powers given to transportation district commissions by § 33.2-1919.
B. The Authority shall comply with the provisions governing localities contained in § 15.2-2108.23.
2020, c. 1235.
§ 33.2-3709. Additional Powers of the Authority.Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this title and in accordance with all applicable federal statutes and requirements, the Authority shall control and operate and may impose and collect tolls in amounts established by the Authority for the use of any new or improved highway, bridge, or tunnel, to increase capacity on such facility or to address congestion within Planning District 15, constructed by the Commission (i) with federal, state, or local funds, (ii) solely with revenues of the Authority, or (iii) with revenues under the control of the Authority. The amount of any such toll may be varied from facility to facility, by lane, by congestion levels, by day of the week, by time of day, by type or size of vehicle, by number of axles, or by any similar combination thereof or any other factor the Authority may deem proper, and a reduced rate may be established for commuters as defined by the Authority. All such tolls shall be used for programs and projects that are reasonably related to or benefit the users of the new or improved highway, bridge, or tunnel, including, but not limited to, for the debt service and other costs of bonds whose proceeds are used for construction or improvement of such highway, bridge, or tunnel.
Any tolls imposed by the Authority shall be collected by an electronic toll system that, to the extent possible, shall not impede the traffic flow of the facility or prohibit a toll facility from retaining means of nonautomated toll collection in some lanes of the facility. For all facilities tolled by the Authority, there shall be signs erected prior to the point of toll collection that clearly state how the majority of the toll revenue is being spent by the Authority to benefit the users of the facility.
2020, c. 1235.
§ 33.2-3710. Authority a responsible public entity under Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995.The Authority is a responsible public entity as defined in § 33.2-1800 and shall be regulated in accordance with the terms of the Public-Private Transportation Act of 1995 (§ 33.2-1800 et seq.) and regulations and guidelines adopted pursuant thereto.
2020, c. 1235.
§ 33.2-3711. Continuing responsibilities of the Commonwealth Transportation Board and the Department of Transportation.Except as otherwise explicitly provided in this chapter, until such time as the Authority and the Department of Transportation, or the Authority and the Commonwealth Transportation Board, agree otherwise in writing, the Commonwealth Transportation Board shall allocate funding to and the Department of Transportation shall perform or cause to be performed all maintenance and operation of the bridges and roadways and shall perform such other required services and activities with respect to such bridges and roadways as were being performed on July 1, 2020.
2020, c. 1235.
§ 33.2-3712. Continued responsibilities for local transit funding.No locality embraced by the Authority shall reduce its local funding for public transit by more than 50 percent of what it appropriated for public transit as of July 1, 2019. Starting in fiscal year 2023, the amount required to be provided by a locality pursuant to this section shall be adjusted annually based on the greater of (i) the change in the United States Average Consumer Price Index for all items, all urban consumers (CPI-U), as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the U.S. Department of Labor for the previous year, or (ii) zero.
2020, c. 1235.
§ 33.2-3713. Use of revenues by the Authority.Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, all moneys received by the Authority shall be used by the Authority solely for the benefit of those counties, cities, and towns that are embraced by the Authority, and such moneys shall be used by the Authority in a manner that is consistent with the purposes stated in this chapter.
2020, c. 1235.
Chapter 38. New River Valley Passenger Rail Station Authority.
§ 33.2-3800. Definitions.As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Authority" means a regional passenger rail station authority created pursuant to this chapter.
"Board" means the board of directors of the authority.
"Facility" means any structure, including real estate and improvements, used for operating passenger rail service and complementary activities. "Facility" includes structures that are not owned by the authority or its members but are subject to a cooperative arrangement pursuant to subdivision 13 of § 15.2-6405.
"Governing bodies" means the county boards of supervisors, city and town councils, and boards of visitors of institutions of higher education that are members of the authority.
"Members" means the counties, cities, towns, and institutions of higher education that comprise the authority.
"Region" means Planning District 4.
2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 353, 354.
§ 33.2-3801. Findings; purpose; governmental function.The General Assembly finds that the creation of a regional passenger rail station authority will enable the members to cost share an economic development asset that is not affordable to individual members. A passenger rail station authority will directly benefit and enhance the economic base of the members by allowing the development, ownership, and operation of a facility on a cooperative basis. The exercise of powers granted by this chapter shall be in all respects for the benefit of the inhabitants of the region and other areas of the Commonwealth, for the increase of their commerce, and for the promotion of their safety, health, welfare, convenience, and prosperity.
2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 353, 354.
§ 33.2-3802. Creation of the authority.The governing bodies of any three or more members within the region may, by ordinance, create a regional passenger rail station authority. The ordinance adopted by each participating governing body shall (i) set forth the name of the proposed passenger rail station authority, which shall include the words "passenger rail station authority"; (ii) name the members; (iii) contain findings that the economic growth and development of the member and the comfort, convenience, and welfare of its citizens require the development of facilities and that the creation of a regional passenger rail station authority will facilitate development of the needed facilities; and (iv) authorize the execution of an agreement establishing the respective rights and obligations of the members regarding the authority consistent with the provisions of this chapter. In the case of a member institution of higher education, the governing body shall adopt a resolution that includes such information and intent. Such ordinances, or resolutions, shall be filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Upon certification by the Secretary of the Commonwealth that the ordinances and resolutions required by this chapter have been filed and, upon the basis of the facts set forth therein, satisfy such requirements, the proposed authority shall be and constitute an authority for all of the purposes of this chapter, to be known and designated by the name stated in the ordinances. Upon the issuance of such certificate, the authority shall be deemed to have been lawfully and properly created and established and authorized to exercise its powers under this chapter. At any time, subsequent to the creation of an authority under this chapter, the members of the authority may, with the approval of the authority's board, be expanded to include any locality or institution of higher education within the region that was eligible to be an initial member of the authority. The governing body seeking to become a member of the authority shall evidence its intent to become a member by adopting an ordinance proposing to join the authority that conforms, to the extent possible, to the requirements for an ordinance set forth in clauses (i), (iii), and (iv).
2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 353, 354.
§ 33.2-3803. Board of the authority.A. All powers, rights, and duties conferred by this chapter, or other provisions of law, upon the authority shall be exercised by a board of directors. The governing body of each member shall appoint two representatives to the board. However, if the authority consists of only two members, the governing body of each member may appoint three members. Representatives of member counties, cities, and towns shall be residents of the appointing member. In any instance in which the members are not contributing equal funding to the authority, and upon agreement by each member of the authority, the number of appointments to be made by each may be made based on the percentage of funds contributed by each of the members.
B. Representatives shall serve terms of four years and may be reappointed. The board may elect to provide for staggered terms, in which case some representatives may draw an initial two-year term. Any appointment to fill a vacancy shall be for the unexpired term.
C. Each member may appoint up to two alternate representatives of the board. Alternates shall be selected in the same manner as regular representatives and may serve as an alternate for any board representative appointed by the member. Alternates shall be appointed for terms that coincide with one or more of the regular representatives appointed by the member. If a representative is not present at a meeting of the authority, the alternate shall have all the voting and other rights of the representative not present and shall be counted for purposes of determining a quorum. Alternates are required to take an oath of office and are entitled to reimbursement for expenses in the same manner as regular representatives.
D. Each member of the board before entering upon the discharge of the duties of his office shall take and subscribe to the oath prescribed in § 49-1.
E. Representatives of the board shall serve without compensation but shall be eligible for reimbursement of actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties from funds available to the authority.
F. A quorum shall exist when a majority of the members of the authority are represented by at least one representative of the board. The affirmative vote of a quorum of the board shall be necessary for any action taken by the board. No vacancy in the membership of the board shall impair the right of a quorum to exercise all the rights and perform all the duties of the board.
G. The board shall determine the times and places of its regular meetings, which may be adjourned or continued, without further public notice. Special meetings of the board shall be held when requested by representatives of the board representing two or more members. Any such request for a special meeting shall be in writing, and the request shall specify the time and place of the meeting and the matters to be considered at the meeting. An effort shall be made to provide members reasonable notice of any special meeting. No matter not specified in the notice shall be considered at such special meeting unless all of the representatives of the board are present. Special meetings may be adjourned or continued without further public notice.
H. The board shall annually elect from its membership a chairman. The board may also appoint an executive director and staff to discharge such functions as may be directed by the board. The executive director and staff shall be paid from funds received by the authority.
I. At the close of each fiscal year, the board shall submit to each governing body an annual report of the authority's activities of the preceding year. Such report shall include a complete operating and financial statement covering the operation of the authority during the preceding year.
2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 353, 354.
§ 33.2-3804. Office of authority; title to property.A. The principal office of the authority shall be within the boundaries of Planning District 4. All records of the authority shall be kept at such office.
B. The title to all property of every kind belonging to the authority shall be titled to the authority and shall be held for the benefit of its members.
2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 353, 354.
§ 33.2-3805. Powers of the authority.An authority created pursuant to this chapter is vested with the powers of a body corporate, including the power to sue and be sued in its own name, plead and be impleaded, and adopt and use a common seal and alter the same as may be deemed expedient. In addition to the powers set forth elsewhere in this chapter, the authority may:
1. Adopt bylaws and rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this chapter;
2. Employ, either as regular employees or as independent contractors, consultants, engineers, architects, accountants, attorneys, financial experts, construction experts and personnel, superintendents, managers, and other professional personnel, personnel, and agents as may be necessary in the judgment of the authority and fix their compensation;
3. Determine the locations of, develop, establish, construct, erect, repair, remodel, add to, extend, improve, equip, operate, regulate, and maintain facilities to the extent necessary or convenient to accomplish the purposes of the authority;
4. Acquire, own, hold, lease, use, sell, encumber, transfer, or dispose of, in its own name, any real or personal property or interests therein. However, nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to provide the authority with the power of condemnation;
5. Invest and reinvest funds of the authority;
6. Enter into contracts of any kind and execute all instruments necessary or convenient with respect to its carrying out the powers in this chapter to accomplish the purposes of the authority;
7. Expend such funds as may be available to it for the purpose of developing facilities, including but not limited to (i) purchasing real estate; (ii) grading sites; (iii) improving, replacing, and extending water, sewer, natural gas, electrical, and other utility lines; (iv) constructing, rehabilitating, and expanding buildings; (v) constructing parking facilities; (vi) constructing access roads, streets, and rail lines; (vii) purchasing or leasing machinery and tools; and (viii) making any other improvements deemed necessary by the authority to meet its objectives;
8. Fix and revise from time to time and charge and collect rates, rents, fees, or other charges for the use of facilities or for services rendered in connection with the facilities;
9. Borrow money from any source for any valid purpose, including working capital for its operations, reserve funds, or interest; mortgage, pledge, or otherwise encumber the property or funds of the authority; and contract with or engage the services of any person in connection with any financing, including financial institutions, issuers of letters of credit, or insurers;
10. Issue bonds under this chapter;
11. Accept funds and property from the Commonwealth, persons, counties, cities, towns, and institutions of higher education, and use the same for any of the purposes for which the authority is created;
12. Apply for and accept grants or loans of money or other property from any federal agency for any of the purposes authorized in this chapter and expend or use the same in accordance with the directions and requirements attached thereto or imposed thereon by any such federal agency;
13. Make loans and grants to, and enter into cooperative arrangements with, any person, partnership, association, corporation, business, or governmental entity in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter, for the purposes of promoting economic development, provided that such loans or grants shall be made only from revenues of the authority that have not been pledged or assigned for the payment of any of the authority's bonds, and enter into such contracts, instruments, and agreements as may be expedient to provide for such loans, and any security therefor. For the purposes of this subdivision, "revenues" includes grants, loans, funds, and property, as set out in subdivisions 11 and 12;
14. Enter into agreements with any other political subdivision of the Commonwealth for joint or cooperative action in accordance with § 15.2-1300; and
15. Do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 353, 354.
§ 33.2-3806. Donations to authority; remittance of tax revenue.Authority members are hereby authorized to lend or donate money or other property to the authority for any of its purposes. The member making the grant or loan may restrict the use of such grants or loans to a specific facility owned by the authority, within or outside the geographical area of the member.
The governing body of the member in which a facility owned by the authority is located may direct, by resolution or ordinance, that all tax revenue collected with respect to the facility shall be remitted to the authority. Such revenues may be used for the payment of debt service on bonds of the authority and other obligations of the authority incurred with respect to such facility. The action of such governing body shall not constitute a pledge of credit or taxing power of such member.
2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 353, 354.
§ 33.2-3807. Revenue sharing agreements.Notwithstanding the requirements of Chapter 34 (§ 15.2-3400 et seq.) of Title 15.2, the members may agree to a revenue and economic growth-sharing arrangement with respect to tax revenues and other income and revenues generated by any facility owned by the authority. Such members may be located in any jurisdiction participating in the Appalachian Region Interstate Compact or a similar agreement of interstate cooperation for economic development authorized by law. The obligations of the parties to any such agreement shall not be construed to be debt within the meaning of Article VII, Section 10 of the Constitution of Virginia. Any such agreement shall be approved by a majority vote of the governing bodies of the members reaching such an agreement but shall not require any other approval.
2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 353, 354.
§ 33.2-3808. Applicability of land use regulations.In any locality where planning, zoning, and development regulations may apply, the authority shall comply with and is subject to those regulations to the same extent as a private commercial or industrial enterprise.
2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 353, 354.
§ 33.2-3809. Bond issues; contesting validity of bonds.A. The authority may at any time and from time to time issue bonds for any valid purpose, including the establishment of reserves and the payment of interest. For purposes of this chapter, "bonds" includes notes of any kind, interim certificates, refunding bonds, or any other evidence of obligation.
B. The bonds of any issue shall be payable solely from the property or receipts of the authority, including but not limited to:
1. Taxes, rents, fees, charges, or other revenues payable to the authority;
2. Payments by financial institutions, insurance companies, or others pursuant to letters or lines of credit, policies of insurance, or purchase agreements;
3. Investment earnings from funds or accounts maintained pursuant to a bond resolution or trust agreement; and
4. Proceeds of refunding bonds.
C. Bonds shall be authorized by resolution of the authority and may be secured by a trust agreement by and between the authority and a corporate trustee or trustees, which may be any trust company or bank having the powers of a trust company within or outside the Commonwealth. The bonds shall:
1. Be issued at, above, or below par value, for cash or other valuable consideration, and mature at a time or times, whether as serial bonds or as term bonds or both, not exceeding 40 years from their respective dates of issue;
2. Bear interest at the fixed or variable rate or rates determined by the method provided in the resolution or trust agreement;
3. Be payable at a time or times, in the denominations and form, and carry the registration and privileges as to conversion and for the replacement of mutilated, lost, or destroyed bonds as the resolution or trust agreement may provide;
4. Be payable in lawful money of the United States at a designated place;
5. Be subject to the terms of purchase, payment, redemption, refunding, or refinancing that the resolution or trust agreement provides;
6. Be executed by the manual or facsimile signatures of the officers of the authority designated by the authority, which signatures shall be valid at delivery even for one who has ceased to hold office; and
7. Be sold in the manner and upon the terms determined by the authority including private (negotiated) sale.
D. Any resolution or trust agreement may contain provisions that shall be a part of the contract with the holders of the bonds as to:
1. Pledging, assigning, or directing the use, investment, or disposition of receipts of the authority or proceeds or benefits of any contract and conveying or otherwise securing any property rights;
2. Setting aside loan funding deposits, debt service reserves, capitalized interest accounts, cost of issuance accounts and sinking funds, and the regulation, investment, and disposition thereof;
3. Limiting the purpose to which, or the investments in which, the proceeds of the sale of any issue of bonds may be applied and restrictions to investments of revenues or bond proceeds in government obligations for which principal and interest are unconditionally guaranteed by the United States of America;
4. Limiting the issuance of additional bonds and the terms upon which additional bonds may be issued and secured and may rank on a parity with, or be subordinate or superior to, other bonds;
5. Refunding or refinancing outstanding bonds;
6. Providing a procedure, if any, by which the terms of any contract with bondholders may be altered or amended and the amount of bonds the holders of which must consent thereto, and the manner in which consent shall be given;
7. Defining the acts or omissions that shall constitute a default in the duties of the authority to bondholders and providing the rights of or remedies for such holders in the event of a default, which may include provisions restricting individual right of action by bondholders;
8. Providing for guarantees, pledges of property, letters of credit, or other security or insurance for the benefit of the bondholders; and
9. Addressing any other matter relating to the bonds that the authority determines appropriate.
E. No member of the authority, member of the board, or any person executing the bonds on behalf of the authority shall be liable personally for the bonds or subject to any personal liability by reason of the issuance of the bonds.
F. The authority may enter into agreements with agents, banks, insurers, or others for the purpose of enhancing the marketability of, or as security for, its bonds.
G. A pledge by the authority of revenues as security for an issue of bonds shall be valid and binding from the time the pledge is made. The revenues pledged shall immediately be subject to the lien of the pledge without any physical delivery or further act, and the lien of any pledge shall be valid and binding against any person having any claim of any kind in tort, contract, or otherwise against the authority, irrespective of whether the person has notice. No resolution, trust agreement or financing statement, continuation statement, or other instrument adopted or entered into by the authority need be filed or recorded in any public record other than the records of the authority in order to perfect the lien against third persons, regardless of any contrary provision of public general or local law.
H. Except to the extent restricted by an applicable resolution or trust agreement, any holder of bonds issued under this chapter or a trustee acting under a trust agreement entered into under this chapter, may, by any suitable form of legal proceedings, protect and enforce any rights granted under the laws of Virginia or by any applicable resolution or trust agreement.
I. The authority may issue bonds to refund any of its bonds then outstanding, including the payment of any redemption premium and any interest accrued or to accrue to the earliest or any subsequent date of redemption, purchase, or maturity of the bonds. Refunding bonds may be issued for the public purposes of realizing savings in the effective costs of debt service, directly or through a debt restructuring, for alleviating impending or actual default and may be issued in one or more series in an amount in excess of that of the bonds to be refunded.
J. For a period of 30 days after the date of the filing with the circuit court having jurisdiction over any of the political subdivisions that are members of the authority and in which the facility or any portion thereof being financed is located a certified copy of the initial resolution of the authority authorizing the issuance of bonds, any person in interest may contest the validity of the bonds, rates, rents, fees, and other charges for the services and facilities furnished by, for the use of, or in connection with, the facility or any portion thereof being financed, the pledge of revenues pledged to payment of the bonds, any provisions that may be recited in any resolution, trust agreement, indenture or other instrument authorizing the issuance of bonds, or any matter contained in, provided for, or done or to be done pursuant to the foregoing. If such contest is not given within the 30-day period, the authority to issue bonds, the validity of any other provision contained in the resolution, trust agreement, indenture, or other instrument, and all proceedings in connection with the authorization and the issuance of the bonds, shall be conclusively presumed to have been legally taken, and no court shall have authority to inquire into such matters and no such contest shall thereafter be instituted.
K. Upon the delivery of any bonds reciting that they are issued pursuant to this chapter and a resolution or resolutions adopted under this chapter, the bonds shall be conclusively presumed to be fully authorized by all of the laws of the Commonwealth and to have been sold, executed, and delivered by the authority in conformity with such laws, and the validity of the bonds shall not be questioned by a party plaintiff, a party defendant, the authority, or any other interested party in any court, anything in this chapter or in any other statutes to the contrary notwithstanding.
2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 353, 354.
§ 33.2-3810. Investment in bonds.Any financial institution, investment company, insurance company, or association, and any personal representative, guardian, trustee, or other fiduciary, may legally invest any moneys belonging to them or within their control in any bonds issued by the authority.
2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 353, 354.
§ 33.2-3811. Bonds exempt from taxation.The authority shall not be required to pay any taxes or assessments of any kind whatsoever, and its bonds, their transfer, the interest payable on them, and any income derived from them, including any profit realized in their sale or exchange, shall be exempt at all times from every kind and nature of taxation by the Commonwealth or by any of its political subdivisions, municipal corporations, or public agencies of any kind.
2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 353, 354.
§ 33.2-3812. Tax revenues of the Commonwealth or any other political subdivisions not pledged.Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as authorizing the pledging of the faith and credit of the Commonwealth, or any of its revenues, or the faith and credit of any other political subdivision of the Commonwealth, or any of its revenues, for the payment of any bonds issued by the authority.
2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 353, 354.
§ 33.2-3813. Forms of accounts and records; audit of same.The accounts and records of the authority showing the receipt and disbursement of funds from whatever source derived shall be in such form as the Auditor of Public Accounts prescribes, provided that such accounts correspond as nearly as possible to the accounts and records for such matters maintained by corporate enterprises. The accounts and records of the authority shall be subject to audit pursuant to § 30-140, and the costs of such audit services shall be borne by the authority. The authority's fiscal year shall be the same as the Commonwealth's.
2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 353, 354.
§ 33.2-3814. Tort liability.No pecuniary liability of any kind shall be imposed on the Commonwealth or on any other political subdivision of the Commonwealth because of any act, agreement, contract, tort, malfeasance, or nonfeasance by or on the part of the authority, its agents, servants, or employees.
2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 353, 354.
§ 33.2-3815. Dissolution of authority.A member of the authority may withdraw from the authority only upon dissolution of the authority as set forth herein. Whenever the board determines that the purpose for which the authority was created has been substantially fulfilled or is impractical or impossible to accomplish and that all obligations incurred by the authority have been paid or that cash or a sufficient amount of United States government securities has been deposited for their payment, or provisions satisfactory for the timely payment of all its outstanding obligations have been arranged, the board may adopt resolutions declaring and finding that the authority shall be dissolved. Appropriate attested copies of such resolutions shall be delivered to the Governor so that legislation dissolving such authority may be introduced in the General Assembly. The dissolution of the authority shall become effective according to the terms of such legislation. The title to all funds and other property owned by such authority at the time of such dissolution shall vest in the members that have contributed to the authority in proportion to their respective contributions.
2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 353, 354.
§ 33.2-3816. Chapter liberally construed.This chapter, being necessary for the welfare of the Commonwealth and its inhabitants, shall be liberally construed to effect the purposes thereof.