A package of 30 bills was introduced into the House and Senate Thursday, calling for increased funding for Michigan roads and the creation of a regional transit system for Southeast Michigan . All the legislation was referred to the House and Senate Transportation Committees where both Chairs, Senator Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba) and Representative Paul Opsommer (R-DeWitt), respectively, have indicated the priority will be legislation related to the Southeast Michigan regional transit issue.
The legislation should begin receiving hearings before the Committees soon. A brief run-down of the package:
· SB 909, HB 5309: Establishes a regional transit authority for Southeast Michigan . Sponsored by Sen. Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba) and Rep. Jim Townsend (D-Royal Oak), respectively
· SB 910, HB 5312: Creates an optional county registration fee to benefit public transit. Sponsored by Sen. Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor
· SB 911, HB 5311: Creates optional registration fees for regional transit authority. Sponsored by Sen. Bert Johnson (D-Highland Park
· SB 912, HB 5310: Amends the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act to exempt Southeast Michigan regional transit authority public transit facilities from local zoning ordinances or regulations. Sponsored by Sen. Bert Johnson (D-Highland Park
· SB 913, HB 5302: Requires local road agencies to adopt best practices and asset management standards as a condition of receiving funds. Sponsored by Sen. Mike Kowall (R-White Lake Township
· SB 914, HB 5301: Modifies conditions to receive funding from the Michigan R-White Lake Township
· SB 915, HB 5306: Revises criteria for funding the comprehensive transportation fund and makes miscellaneous changes. Sponsored by Sen. Phil Pavlov (R-St. Clair) and Rep. Kevin Daley (R-Lum), respectively
· SB 916, HB 5307: Amends definition of public transportation corporations. Sponsored by Sen. Mike Kowall (R-White Lake Township
· SB 917, HB 5308: Revises eligibility for funding from comprehensive transportation fund. Sponsors Sen. Mike Kowall (R-White Lake Township
Rep. Marilyn Lane(D-Fraser), respectively
Rep. Marilyn Lane(D-Fraser), respectively
· SB 918, HB 5298: Implements a wholesale tax on fuel. Sponsored by Sen. Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw Township ) and Rep. Rick Olson (R-York Township
· SB 919, HB 5300: Modifies vehicle registration fees. Sponsors Sen. Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw Township
· SB 920, HB 5299: Eliminates the flat tax rate on fuel and establishes an 18-month limitation period for filing refund claims. Sponsored by Sen. Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw Township ) and Rep. Rick Olson (R-York Township
· SB 921, HB 5304: Changes conditions for funding and creates sunset for meetings of complete streets advisory council if the State Transportation Commission adopts a complete streets policy. Sponsored by Sen. Mark Jansen (R-Gaines Township ) and Rep. Mark Ouimet (R-Scio Township
· HB 5303: Creates commercial corridor fund and requires satisfaction of certain conditions for funding. Sponsored by Rep. Alberta Tinsley-Talabi (D-Detroit)
· HB 5305: Changes bidding requirements for contracts between State Transportation Commission, county road commissions, and cities or villages. Sponsored by Rep. Matt Lori (R-Constantine)
· HB 5313: Modifies conditions to receive funding from Michigan Transportation Fund. Sponsored by Rep. Bradford Jacobsen (R-Oxford)
· HB 5314: Allows dedication of lane for public transit. Sponsored by Rep. Rudy Hobbs (D-Lathrup Village