New Transportation Plan: Forward
On February 18, the House Appropriations Committee conducted a hearing on House Bill 2588, the Forward Transportation Plan. There was much interest in this bill as there were forty-one proponents and six neutral conferees. The bill itself outlines new priorities, funding, and plans for addressing the transportation needs for of Kansas.
One of the main priorities would be the completion of the T-Works Program. There were some delayed projects and they would need be let by July 1, 2023, according the the bill.
Second, would be state assistance to local governments, cities and counties. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) would be directed to assist local governments with transportation improvements. These improvements could vary from aviation to public transit.
Third, would be the project selection process for the new projects. The FORWARD plan would select projects based on a two-year entry cycle. The selection of the projects would occur in consultation with local governments and three projects would need to be expansion or modernization projects.
Fourth, would be granting new authority to the Secretary of Transportation. This bill allows for the Secretary to create grants for new tranpsortation technology and construction grants for improving broadband service in the state.
Some other items in the bill are alternative delivery to expedite new projects, increased reimbursement rates for lane mile maintenance, a mandate of $8 million new funds to each county for transportaion, $11 million to the public transportation assistance fund, and $5 million to the aviation airport development fund. The committee will most likely work this bill in March.
Bill Hearings This Week
Many of the House committees conducted bill hearings this week to move bills out of the committee and on to the House floor for debate. The Appropriations committee held hearings on the following bills: Governor’s Budget for the fiscal years of 2020, 2021 and 2022; the establishment of the rural hospital innovation grant program; and we continued discussing the budget reports from the budget committees.
The Federal and State Affairs committee had hearings on the increasing of penalties for assault and battery against a sports official and designating the polka as the official state dance. The Agriculture and Natural Resources committee discussed whether the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism should purchase land in Kingman County.