SB 303 - This act allows Transportation Development Districts (TDD) to be formed by the property owners in any area where there are no residents, as opposed to using a petition by residents. New procedures are created for applications for ballots in all TDDs; proof of voter registration must be shown. Special board election procedures are provided for TDDs formed by property owners instead of area residents; each property owner gets a vote for each acre owned within the district when electing board members.

FUNDING - The bill allows TDDs to use tax increment financing as a method of funding. The form for a special assessment petition is set out. The combined maximum tax rate for sales taxes by TDDs, local transportation sales taxes and local capital improvement sales taxes may exceed 1/2 of 1%. A sales tax may be repealed only if it will not impair the TDDs ability to pay all debts.

LOCATION - A TDD may be formed in an area smaller than an entire city or an entire county. The act deletes the requirement that the district include all areas to be served by each project and to be large enough to adequately fund the project.

MIKE HOEFERKAMP