Bill > LB449

This bill amends the Transportation Innovation Act to provide additional funding and administration for the County Bridge Match Program. The key provisions include: 1. Establishing the County Bridge Match Fund to be administered by the Department of Transportation and funded by annual transfers from the General Fund, with the intent to transfer $68 million annually starting in fiscal year 2023-24. 2. Allowing counties to apply for grants from the County Bridge Match Program to replace and repair structurally deficient bridges, with counties eligible to receive up to 55% of the bridge construction cost. 3. Requiring the Department of Transportation to develop a weighted scoring system to evaluate and rank grant applications, considering factors such as innovation, cost savings, and geographic representation. 4. Authorizing the Department of Transportation to enforce project requirements for grant recipients, such as engaging professional engineering services and following all applicable laws and regulations. 5. Extending the termination date of the County Bridge Match Program from June 30, 2023, to June 30, 2028. The bill aims to promote innovative solutions and accelerate the repair and replacement of deficient bridges on the county road system in Nebraska.