Party Features

Governor Kaine’s Transportation Amendments

Posted by Mike on Monday, March 26

Details of Governor's Actions

 

Statewide Funding-Over $375 Million Annually, Plus 2/3 of Surplus

Authorizes $3 billion in new 25-year debt for highway construction, supported by dedication of one-third of insurance premiums to existing and new debt payments (frees up construction funding paying existing debt)

    • Increases percentage of bonds going to transit capital from 15.7% to 20%
    • Removes prohibition on using bond proceeds for urban and secondary roads

Dedicates 3 cents of existing recordation taxes to transportation, with two cents to go to transit funding and one cent to go to highway maintenance

Dedicates 2/3 of surplus revenues to transportation

Equalizes diesel fuel tax (from 16 cents to 17.5 cents), which will be dedicated to highway maintenance

Makes abuser fees legally defensible by eliminating retroactive application

Retains original registration fee increase for cars, trucks and trailers, increased penalties for overweight trucks, and permanent dedication of one-third insurance premium taxes

 

Northern Virginia Regional Package-Approximately $400 Million Annually

Authorizes $400 million annually in locally and regionally imposed taxes and fees

Requires 6 of 9 localities to empower the regional authority to impose seven taxes and fees

Gives localities the option of three additional revenue sources

 

Hampton Roads Regional Package-Approximately $200 Million Annually

Authorizes up to $200 million annually in locally and regionally imposed taxes and fees

Requires 7 of 12 localities to empower the regional authority to impose seven taxes and fees

Gives localities the option of three additional local revenue sources

 

Land Use

Expands scope and application of transportation impact fees for by-right commercial and residential development in communities with growing population, which will encompass about 75 communities across the state

 

Additional Items

Creates a lockbox on new revenues - if transportation funds are diverted to other purposes, revenues in  the bill cease

Maintains current Commonwealth Transportation Board appointments by Governor

In addition, the Governor signed bills submitted in his legislative package, designed to improve land use planning and traffic flow. Senate Bill 1181 (Williams) strengthens standards for accepting subdivision streets into the state system by increasing connectivity standards for roads and subdivisions, enhancing the overall capacity and efficiency of the transportation network.

 

House Bill 2228 (Wardrup)/Senate Bill 1312 (Hawkins) promotes traffic flow and interconnectivity on the state's road system, ensuring that new and existing roadways are not degraded by the creation of too many and poorly spaced intersections, turn lanes, median breaks, and other impediments.  House Bill 2163 (Valentine)/Senate Bill 1144 (Wagner) allows VDOT vehicles to participate in clearing cars and restoring traffic flow after an accident, improving response time.

View all Party Features posts.