Low water crossings.
Low water crossings. Authorizes a local county road and bridge board to undertake low water crossing projects. Requires the commissioner of the department of transportation (department) to ensure that the department makes information available to county boards of commissioners and county highway departments about funding from federal and private sources that might be available to the counties for low water crossing projects. Amends the law on the local road and bridge matching grant fund: (1) to allow grants to local units to be used for low water crossing projects; and (2) to provide that funds allocated for grants to local units having a population of less than 50,000 can be used to make grants to counties below the population limit as well as to municipalities located in counties that are below the population limit.
This bill, HB1507, aims to support low water crossing projects by allowing local county road and bridge boards to take the lead on these initiatives. It requires the Department of Transportation to inform county boards and highway departments about potential federal and private funding for these projects. The bill also amends the local road and bridge matching grant fund to allow these grants for low water crossing projects and to enable counties with populations under 50,000 to receive grants for such projects, as well as municipalities within those counties.
The bill affects local governments, particularly those in rural areas with low water crossings, by providing them with the tools and funding information necessary to improve these critical infrastructure points. It ensures that both county boards and municipalities can access grants to help fund and develop these crossings, making them safer and more reliable.
As of March 13, 2025, the bill has passed through several stages in the legislative process, including committee reports recommending passage and being referred to different committees for further review. It has recently been referred to the Committee on Appropriations, indicating its progression towards potential funding discussions and final approval.