An Act To Increase the Funding Level of the Local Road Assistance Program

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  the 90-day period may not terminate until after the beginning of the next fiscal year; and

Whereas,  certain obligations and expenses incident to the operation of state departments and institutions will become due and payable immediately; and

Whereas,  recent reductions in state payments amid continuous and in many cases drastic increases in local road infrastructure improvement needs have created both a financial emergency and dangerous public safety conditions for local governments and citizens; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Sec. 1. 23 MRSA §1803-B, sub-§1, ¶D,  as amended by PL 2013, c. 354, Pt. I, §2 and affected by §4, is further amended to read:

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill increases the annual funding dedicated for the Local Road Assistance Program from 9% to 10% of the Highway Fund allocation to the Department of Transportation.