COMPLETE STREETS POLICIES H.B. 6151 (H-3) & 6152 (H-2):
FLOOR SUMMARY
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House Bill 6151 (Substitute H-3 as reported without amendment)
House Bill 6152 (Substitute H-2 as discharged)
Sponsor: Representative Jon Switalski (H.B. 6151)
Representative Pam Byrnes (H.B. 6152)
House Committee: Transportation
Senate Committee: Transportation
CONTENT
House Bill 6151 (H-3) would amend the Michigan Transportation Fund (MTF) law to do all of the following:
-- Require the State Transportation Commission to adopt a "complete streets policy" for the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and one or more model policies for use by municipalities and counties.
-- Specify conditions under which MDOT, counties, and municipalities would have to consult and reach agreement addressing respective complete streets policies.
-- Authorize MDOT to provide assistance to local agencies in developing and implementing complete streets policies.
-- Establish a Complete Streets Advisory Council within MDOT to provide education and advice to the State Transportation Commission and others, and advise the Commission on the adoption of model policies.
-- Specify that certain improvements regarding nonmotorized transportation services and facilities would have to meet established best practices.
-- Require MDOT, a county, and a city or village to notify each other upon the completion of a five-year program for the improvement of qualified nonmotorized facilities.
-- Revise requirements pertaining to the establishment of facilities for nonmotorized transportation.
"Complete streets policy" would mean a document that provides guidance for the planning, design, and construction of roadways or an interconnected network of transportation facilities being constructed or reconstructed and designated for a transportation purpose that promotes complete streets and meets all of the following requirements:
-- Is sensitive to the local context and recognizes that needs vary according to urban, suburban, and rural settings.
-- Considers the functional class of the roadway and project costs and allows for appropriate exemptions.
-- Considers the varying mobility needs of all legal users of the roadway, of all ages and abilities.
"Complete streets" would mean roadways planned, designed, and constructed to provide appropriate access to all legal users in a manner that promotes safe and efficient movement of people and goods whether by car, truck, transit, assistive device, foot, or bicycle.
House Bill 6152 (H-2) would amend the Michigan Planning Enabling Act to do all of the following:
-- Require a local unit's master plan to provide for safe and efficient movement of people and goods by motor vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, and other legal users of streets.
-- Require a master plan to include the general location, character, and extent of the interconnectivity of all components of transportation.
-- Expand the definition of "street" to include public ways intended for use by bicycles, pedestrians, and other legal users, in addition to motor vehicles.
MCL 247.660k et al. (H.B. 6151) Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter
125.3803 et al. (H.B. 6152)
FISCAL IMPACT
The bills would increase Michigan Department of Transportation internal costs by an unknown amount. Absent increased appropriations to handle the demands, the costs would be funded by reducing activity through other Department activities. The bills also could increase local unit expenses by an unknown amount, depending on the costs associated with developing and implementing complete streets policies.
Some costs imposed by the bills potentially would be minimal, to the extent that the State and local units already develop long-range plans. However, the bills also would create a new State council and potentially would affect the types and nature of transportation projects implemented at the State and local levels. To the extent the changes made projects more expensive, the bills also would increase costs.
Date Completed: 7-28-10 Fiscal Analyst: David Zin
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. hb6151&6152/0910