This post summarizes the status of various finance and procurement bills relating to transportation issues that MACo either considered or took a position on.

Constitutional Amendments to Protect Transportation Funds:  A number of bills have been introduced to seek constitutional amendments to protect the transfer of funds from the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) to the State’s general fund.  Some of these bills extend the protections to the distribution of Highway User Revenues (HUR) to local governments and restore the distribution to back to the 70% State/30% local split (HB 23, HB 146).  While others just provide the protections to the TTF (HB 695, SB 403, SB 441, SB 619).  MACo supported these bills or supported them with amendments to protect and restore the local share of HUR.  Status:  HB 23, HB 146, and HB 695  have been heard in the House Appropriations Committee.  SB 403, SB 441, and SB 619 have been heard in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and SB 619 have been voted unfavorable.

Restoration of Highway User Revenues:  HB 845 and SB 440 would both restore the local share of HUR.  HB 845 would restore the local distribution back to the historical 70% State/30% local share beginning in FY 2013.  SB 440 would incrementally restore the local share in 5% increments beginning in FY 2014.  MACo supported both bills.  Status:  HB 845 was heard in House Appropriations on March 8 and SB 440 was heard in Senate Budget and Taxation on March 9.