Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that allocates funds for transportation projects and establishes local authorities responsible for developing and implementing transportation plans.

Highlights:

-Amends comprehensive transportation and development plan, which includes [sec.1 (15.2-2223.1)(B)]:

-pedestrian-friendly road designs -new local streets that connect with existing streets and roads -preservation of natural areas -requirements for storm water management

-Grants localities the power to impose impact fees to offset costs related to residential development [sec. 1 (15.2-2329)(A)]. -Establishes criteria for creating urban transportation service districts in counties with a population of more than 90,000 and where there is at least one residential unit per acre of land [sec. 1 (15.2-2403.1)(A)]. -Allocates $50 million in bond proceeds annually to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) [sec.1 (15.2-4838.1)(A)]. -Allocates $30 million annually in bond proceeds to the Virginia Railway Express [sec.1 (15.2-4838.1)(B)]. -Creates Joint Commission on Transportation Accountability Act that is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the funding for transporation projects and hiring consultants and advisers [sec. 1 (30-280) (1-4)]. -Creates the Hampton Roads Transportation Authority Act, to collect tolls to fund new construction and improve the quality of existing strutures [sec. 1 (33.1-391.6)]. - Imposes "civil remedial fees" on Virginia residents convicted of certain traffic offenses, in addition to any other fees or costs imposed as a result of the violation. The fees are:

- $750 over three years for driving with a suspended license. - $1050 over three years for reckless driving. - $2250 over three years for driving while intoxicated. - $900 over three years for "any other misdemeanor conviction for a driving and/or motor vehicle-related violation... ." - $3000 over three yearsfor "any felonly conviction for a driving and/or motor vehicle-related offense... [sec. 1 (46.2-206.1)]."

- Provides that the civil remidial fees shall be assessed for a conviction under "substantially similar laws of any locality, territory, other state, or of the United States [sec. 1 (46.2-206.1)]." - Requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to impose an additional fee upon drivers whose record shows greater than eight demerit points of $100 plus $75 per point in excess of eight points (not to exceed $700) [sec. 1 (46.2-206.1)]. -Raises taxation rate from 16.5 cents to 17.5 cents on gasoline, gasohol, diesel fuel, and blended fuel: [sec. 1 (58.1-2217)(B) & (58.1-2249)(A)]. -Establishes an additional $100 fee for first-time driver's license registration [sec.1 (46.2-332)(B)]. -Authorizes local governments to declare their areas "regional transportation tax districts" and to raise commercial real estate property taxes at 0.25% of the "fair market value" [sec. 1 (58.1-3221.2)(A)].

Full Bill Text