A bill to amend 1951 PA 51, entitled “An act to provide for the classification of all public roads, streets, and highways in this state, and for the revision of that classification and for additions to and deletions from each classification; to set up and establish the Michigan transportation fund; to provide for the deposits in the Michigan transportation fund of specific taxes on motor vehicles and motor vehicle fuels; to provide for the allocation of funds from the Michigan transportation fund and the use and administration of the fund for transportation purposes; to promote safe and efficient travel for motor vehicle drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians, and other legal users of roads, streets, and highways; to set up and establish the truck safety fund; to provide for the allocation of funds from the truck safety fund and administration of the fund for truck safety purposes; to set up and establish the Michigan truck safety commission; to establish certain standards for road contracts for certain businesses; to provide for the continuing review of transportation needs within the state; to authorize the state transportation commission, counties, cities, and villages to borrow money, issue bonds, and make pledges of funds for transportation purposes; to authorize counties to advance funds for the payment of deficiencies necessary for the payment of bonds issued under this act; to provide for the limitations, payment, retirement, and security of the bonds and pledges; to provide for appropriations and tax levies by counties and townships for county roads; to authorize contributions by townships for county roads; to provide for the establishment and administration of the state trunk line fund, local bridge fund, comprehensive transportation fund, and certain other funds; to provide for the deposits in the state trunk line fund, critical bridge fund, comprehensive transportation fund, and certain other funds of money raised by specific taxes and fees; to provide for definitions of public transportation functions and criteria; to define the purposes for which Michigan transportation funds may be allocated; to provide for Michigan transportation fund grants; to provide for review and approval of transportation programs; to provide for submission of annual legislative requests and reports; to provide for the establishment and functions of certain advisory entities; to provide for conditions for grants; to provide for the issuance of bonds and notes for transportation purposes; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local agencies and officials; to provide for the making of loans for transportation purposes by the state transportation department and for the receipt and repayment by local units and agencies of those loans from certain specified sources; to investigate and study the tolling of roads, streets, highways, or bridges; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,” by amending section 10k (MCL 247.660k), as amended by 2010 PA 135.
The bill seeks to amend the 1951 PA 51 to incorporate nonmotorized transportation facilities and services into the scope of transportation purposes. The bill mandates that at least 1% of funds from the Michigan transportation fund allocated to the state trunk line fund and local governments be used for nonmotorized transportation services and facilities, including but not limited to paving unpaved road shoulders, widening lanes, and improving sidewalks. It outlines that these improvements are considered best practices for nonmotorized facilities. Additionally, the bill stipulates that units of government are not required to meet these provisions annually if they achieve the requirements on average over a period not exceeding 10 years. It also requires the preparation of a 5-year program for the improvement of nonmotorized facilities, ensuring expenditures meet or exceed 1% of the previous year's distribution from the Michigan transportation fund, adjusted for the past five years' spending. The bill further specifies conditions under which nonmotorized facilities must be established in new or reconstructed transportation projects, with exceptions based on cost, public safety, existing facilities, or if expenditures exceed the 1% threshold. The state transportation department is tasked with providing information and assistance on the planning, design, and construction of nonmotorized transportation facilities and services.
Introduced
by
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
