The bill amends Michigan transportation law to enhance the management and allocation of funds within the Michigan transportation fund and the local bridge fund. It introduces a new section, 11k, establishing a Local Agency Disaster Relief Board fund, which will receive specific allocations from the transportation fund to assist local road agencies in repairing or replacing infrastructure after emergencies. The bill also outlines the structure and responsibilities of the local bridge advisory board and regional bridge councils, detailing the criteria for financial assistance and project selection for bridge funding. Additionally, it sets limits on appropriations for necessary expenses incurred by the Department of State in administering the Michigan vehicle code.

Moreover, the bill modifies existing laws related to the state trunk line fund, emphasizing the irrevocable appropriation of funds for bond payments and establishing funding priorities for rail grade crossing improvements. It introduces new requirements for project selection, prioritizing safety and traffic considerations, and clarifies borrowing conditions for local road agencies, ensuring such borrowing does not affect constitutional or statutory debt limits. The bill mandates the Department of Transportation to set interest rates and payment schedules for loans, aligning them with bond terms, and includes provisions for performance audits to ensure compliance with government standards. Overall, these amendments aim to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of transportation funding and management in Michigan.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 247.660, 247.661