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Bill > LD1756
ME LD1756
ME LD1756An Act to Establish a Statewide Transportation Project Selection Prioritization Process
summary
Introduced
04/22/2025
04/22/2025
In Committee
04/22/2025
04/22/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
06/16/2025
06/16/2025
Introduced Session
132nd Legislature
Bill Summary
This bill establishes the Transportation Project Selection Council to develop and manage a statewide project selection prioritization process. The council is directed to: 1. Advise the Department of Transportation and the Maine Turnpike Authority on the development of the prioritization process, in accordance with federal transportation requirements, and in cooperation with municipalities, counties and other planning organizations within the State; 2. Review projects and strategies to determine whether projects are consistent with assessment of capacity needs outlined in the department's or the authority's long-range transportation plans; 3. Weigh key goals for each of the State's federally designated planning organization regions; and 4. Solicit input from municipalities, counties and other planning organizations, transit operators, environmental groups, active transportation groups, economic development groups and other stakeholders in the development of the prioritization process. The council is required to report annually on the prioritization process to the Governor and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Transportation Project Selection Council to create and manage a comprehensive, statewide process for prioritizing transportation projects in Maine. The council will include representatives from various transportation, economic, environmental, and community organizations, ensuring diverse perspectives in project selection. The council's primary responsibilities include developing a prioritization process that considers multiple transportation modes like highways, transit, rail, and active transportation, and evaluating proposed projects based on five key goals: safety, system management, economic impact, environmental sustainability, and equitable access. The council will solicit broad public input through at least three annual public meetings, review projects' consistency with long-range transportation plans, and publish an annual report detailing project scores and rankings. Starting July 1, 2026, this council will be responsible for selecting transportation projects for funding, using an objective, data-driven approach that weighs regional needs and considers factors like greenhouse gas emissions, economic development, and accessibility for low-income households. The bill specifically excludes certain routine maintenance and repair projects from this prioritization process, ensuring that critical infrastructure upkeep is not hindered by the new selection criteria.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (9)
Adam Lee (D)*,
Rick Bennett (I),
Nathan Carlow (R),
Holly Eaton (D),
Traci Gere (D),
Karen Montell (D),
D. Ray (D),
Eleanor Sato (D),
Parnell Terry (D),
Last Action
Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) (on 06/16/2025)
bill text
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1756&snum=132 |
| BillText | https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/getPDF.asp?paper=HP1174&item=1&snum=132 |
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