It is the intent of the legislature to encourage the formation of transportation improvement districts in multicounty circumstances in order to facilitate regional transportation initiatives and to gain access to revenues in addition to general state and local taxes for the purpose of accelerating construction of vital transportation improvements. It is the further intent of the legislature to grant to governing bodies of counties in which such transportation improvement districts may be formed the authority to provide long-term zoning and land use protection to properties paying the special taxes that further the purpose of this chapter. It is the further intent of the legislature that all districts created pursuant to this chapter provide such long-term zoning protection where such special taxes have been imposed. It is the further intent of the legislature to declare that the formation of transportation improvement districts and the granting of long-term land use protection in exchange for the payment of special taxes promote the public health, safety, and welfare.