ALTERNATIVE TRANSP. FUNDING S.B. 59 (S-3): FLOOR ANALYSIS
Senate Bill 59 (Substitute S-3 as reported by the Committee of the Whole)
Sponsor: Senator Jud Gilbert, II
Committee: Transportation
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Transportation Fund law to require the creation of an alternative transportation funding task force and a citizens advisory committee to review and make recommendations for potential sources of transportation funding to replace or supplement the 19-cent gas tax.
By October 1, 2007, the Governor would have to appoint up to seven individuals to serve on the task force, including at least one representative each of manufacturing, commerce, agriculture, tourism, and labor. The appointments would be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. The task force also would have to include the majority and minority leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives or their designees.
The primary focus of the alternative transportation funding task force would be to examine alternatives to the portion of road funding supported by motor fuel taxes, and to suggest or recommend alternative revenue collection systems funded through user-pay methods, including an analysis of the feasibility of alternative methods.
The task force would have to make recommendations for implementation of pilot programs to test feasible alternatives to replace the portion of road funding that comes from motor fuel taxes, and would have to make a preliminary recommendation on pilot programs by March 1, 2009. By a majority vote of the task force, it would have to report its findings in specific areas to the Governor, the State Transportation Commission, and the Legislature. The committee would have to make its recommendations, including any positions supported by a minority of members, by April 1, 2009.
The Governor would have to appoint up to 15 people to serve as a citizens advisory committee, based on recommendations from certain organizations. The citizens advisory committee would have to receive and comment upon all reports, studies, and recommendations prepared by the various designated technical subcommittees of the advisory committee before they were submitted to the task force.
Proposed MCL 247.659c Legislative Analyst: Curtis Walker
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would require the Department of Transportation to staff the new task force and advisory committee and perform other administrative duties. The fiscal impact of these additional responsibilities cannot be determined at this time.
Date Completed: 4-18-07 Fiscal Analyst: Joe Carrasco
Debra HollonAnalysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb59/0708