State Rep. Jack O’Malley, chair of the House Transportation Committee, has continued to lead discussion and hearings on bipartisan bills that will give communities and counties more avenues to make needed road repairs.

The legislation was introduced and has run along separate from budget discussions on roads, but the measures are a notable and increased commitment to Michigan’s infrastructure.

Testimony this week covered a plan allowing communities to work with the Michigan Department of Transportation on local bridge projects in order to share resources and save money. Another proposal would change prequalification requirements for non-paving infrastructure projects – such as sodding or stonework – under $10 million.

The legislation follows a common theme of the overall package: Cut red tape and improve state regulations to allow for additional flexibility with roadwork from driveway to highway.

“What’s satisfying about these bills coming up in committee is that each and every one were the product of local input,” O’Malley said, noting several town halls he has taken part in throughout the state during his first legislative term on the issue of road condition. “We’ve heard from residents actually driving on the roads, local officials charged with fixing them and road builders doing the work and all of that was taken into account when we crafted these plans. They give locals more tools in their toolbox. That’s what they need, and that’s what these bills are all about.”

O’Malley is sponsoring a proposal in the package, HB 4963, which allows for a local option fuel tax at the county level. If put on the ballot by a county and approved by the people, taxes collected would be distributed to local road agencies based on population and actual road miles within that county. Only a vote of the people would trigger a local fuel tax.

The proposals remain under consideration in the House Transportation Committee.

PHOTO INFORMATION: State Rep. Jack O’Malley, of Lake Ann, listens to testimony during a House Transportation Committee hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 15. O’Malley, who chairs the committee, has been instrumental in developing a series of bills aimed at spending state road money smarter and giving locals more flexibility as they pursue road repair projects.