This bill purports to allow the City of Atlanta, but not any MARTA county, to levy an additional 3/4 percent MARTA tax. It essentially provides for the same things as SB 330 except it is limited to the city only. The bill does not amend the actual MARTA Act itself, but is a stand-alone local Act.

1) Atlanta can levy an additional 3/4% sales tax for use on MARTA projects. The referendum will be held during the 2016 general election, unless the city adopts a resolution or ordinance stating that it will not levy the additional 3/4% sales tax or stating that the referendum will be held in 2017.  

2) By May 31, 2016 (and again in 2017, if the 2016 referendum fails), MARTA must submit a preliminary list of rapid transit projects within or serving the city that could be funded by the proceeds of the 3/4% additional sales tax. By July 31, 2016 (and again in 2017, if the 2016 referendum fails), MARTA must submit a final list of rapid transit projects to the city that must be incorporated into the rapid transit contract.  

3) Atlanta can hold a referendum in the city limits only.

4) The additional MARTA tax must first be spent on the cost of the rapid transit projects included in the contract between the city and MARTA.

5) Once the additional MARTA tax is imposed, the effective rate of the single county TSPLOST is reduced such that the combined rate of the new additional MARTA tax and TSPLOST 2 does not exceed 1%.

6) The additional MARTA tax is excluded from the 2% cap on local sales and use taxes under 48-8-6. 

7) If the referendum fails in the city in 2016, the process may be repeated for the 2017 municipal general election.