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Minutes for HB2369 - Committee on Appropriations
Short Title
Authorizing the secretary of transportation to designate toll projects on new and existing highways and changing financing requirements for toll or turnpike projects.
Minutes Content for Wed, Mar 20, 2019
Chairman Waymaster opened the hearing on the bill.
Chris Waggoner, Office of the Revisor of Statutes, provided a briefing on the bill (Attachment 7). The bill authorizes the secretary of transportation to construct new toll projects or designate existing highways as toll roads, and changes the financing requirements for toll projects and turnpike projects for the Kansas Department of Transportation and the Kansas Turnpike Authority. In response to questions from committee members, he stated that recommendations for new or existing toll road(s) would be brought forward to the legislature, based on a feasibility study This bill would allow the secretary additional authority to study the feasibility of designating bridges as toll or turnpike projects.
Representative Proehl, presented testimony as a proponent of the bill (Attachment 8).
Julie Lorenz, Acting Secretary, Kansas Department of Transportation, presented testimony as a proponent of the bill(Attachment 9).
Tom Whitaker, Executive Director, Kansas Motor Carriers Association, presented testimony in neutral position of the bill (Attachment 10.
Adam Stodola, Licensed Professional Engineer, presented testimony as a proponent of the bill (Attachment 11).
Michael White, Executive Director, Kanss Contractors Association, presented testimony as a proponent of the bill (Attachment 12).
Steve Hewitt, CEO, Kansas Turnpike Authority, presented testimony in neutral position of the bill (Attachment 13).
Julie Lorenz responded to questions by committee members. The primary purpose of the bill is to allow local communities to raise funds with a local match. Community toll project details are included in the feasibility study with a proposal that would go through the Kansas Turnpike Authority and then to the State Finance Council. Tolling projects will be coordinated through a statewide framework.
Written testimony as a proponent of the bill was submitted by the following: Jason Watkins, representing Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce (Attachment 14); Scott Heidner, Executive Director, American Council of Engineering Companies of Kansas (Attachment 15); Kevin Walker, Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy, Overland Park Chamber of Commerce (Attachment 16); Curtis Sneden, Senior VIce President, Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce (Attachment 17 Patty Markley, Executive Director, Kansas Economic Progress Council (Attachment 18); and Jacqueline Clark, Government Relations, Ash Grove Cement Company (Attachment 19). Written testimony in neutral position of the bill was submitted by Mark Augustine, President, Triplett, Inc. (Attachment 20.
Chairman Waymaster closed the hearing on the bill.
