It’s been tough enough for Sound Transit board members to cobble together ST3, a ballot measure seeking $15 billion for the next phase of expansion.

Now a few of their longstanding critics want state lawmakers to replace them next year by changing how their seats are filled.

The Sound Transit board is made up of 17 local elected officials — 10 from King County, four from Pierce County and three from Snohomish County. The executive in each county makes the appointments. Secretary of Transportation Lynn Peterson is a nonvoting member as well.

Bills introduced in the Senate and House would create a panel of 19 people with each one elected from a separate district. It would result in 12 members from King County, four from Pierce County and three from Snohomish County.

Sen. Steve O’Ban, R-University Place, and Rep. Mark Harmsworth, R-Mill Creek, authored the legislation.

At a hearing Tuesday, supporters told the Senate Transportation Committee that directly electing board members would give voice to a greater number of Sound Transit taxpayers and increase accountability of the agency’s day-to-day operations.

Speakers expressed frustration with Sound Transit’s “Seattle-centric” policies and the ability of one person, King County Executive Dow Constantine, to appoint a near super-majority of the board. Among those testifying were Kemper Development Co. exec Bruce Nurse and Bellevue Councilman Kevin Wallace, who said he was speaking only for himself.

Opponents countered that board members are elected and thus already accountable to voters. And, they said, the current approach forces the region’s cities, counties and transit agencies to work together on expansion — even more than would occur with the proposed change.

“Balkanizing the system is not an answer to building a regional system,” said Everett City Councilman Paul Roberts, who is the board’s vice chairman.

On Monday, the Snohomish County Council voted to oppose the bill though some want to revisit the idea after the vote on the ST3 ballot measure.

“I don’t know if this is the right bill or not, but I think we need to take a serious look at how that board is constructed,” said Councilman Ken Klein.

“Snohomish County and Pierce County are at a disadvantage on this board with King County holding the majority of the seats,” he said. “I think that is actually going to be hurtful to our position with the ballot measure.”

Political reporter Jerry Cornfield’s blog, The Petri Dish, is at www.heraldnet.com. Contact him at 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com and on Twitter at @dospueblos