Bill > HB546

This bill appropriates funds for transportation projects and establishes new procedures for local road assistance programs for the fiscal years 2024-2025 and 2025-2026. * **Biennial Highway Construction Program:** $535,665,100 from the Road Fund for fiscal year 2024-2025 and $434,260,500 from the Road Fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 for state and federal highway construction projects. * **Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) Bonds for I-69 Ohio River Crossing Project:** $150,000,000 from Restricted Funds in fiscal year 2025-2026. These funds are contingent on the incorporation of bridge tolling and GARVEE Bond debt service in future financial plans, unless a federal grant is received to cover the project's cost. * **GARVEE Debt Service for I-69 Ohio River Crossing Project:** $7,584,400 in Federal Funds and $1,896,100 from the Road Fund in fiscal year 2025-2026 to support debt service payments. These funds are also contingent on the incorporation of bridge and GARVEE Bond debt service in future financial plans, unless a federal grant is received. * **County Priority Projects Program:** $20,000,000 from the Road Fund for fiscal year 2024-2025 and $21,147,000 from the Road Fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to assist with county and city roads. Funding is contingent on the Transportation Cabinet's submission and General Assembly approval of qualified projects ranked 8, 9, or 10. Unexpended funds from fiscal year 2024-2025 will carry forward to fiscal year 2025-2026. * **Local Assistance Road Program (LARP):** This bill establishes a new program where cities and counties can apply for grants to rehabilitate local roads. The maximum grant per project is $500,000. The bill outlines a scoring system for project evaluation based on asset preservation, safety, cost, traffic volume, and district priority. It also establishes a graduated local matching fund requirement based on county population, ranging from 10% to 20% of the project cost. The Transportation Cabinet is required to report quarterly on LARP activity. * **I-69 Ohio River Crossing Project:** The Transportation Cabinet is directed to enter into a new memorandum of understanding with Indiana by July 1, 2025, to use tolling revenues to finance the project. Funds for projects involving the Mountain Parkway, I-69 Ohio River Crossing, or Hal Rogers Parkway shall not be expended unless a federal grant is acquired.