This is shaping up to be a very busy transportation week at the state capitol.

Over the last year, RTAC and the rural transportation planning agencies have developed a list of regional transportation priorities totaling $50 million representing some of the top needs throughout Greater Arizona. HB2396, sponsored by Representative Tim Dunn of Yuma, would fund these projects and is scheduled to be heard in the House Transportation Committee this Wednesday afternoon (2/2).

Most of the projects selected are improvements to local roads. There has been some pushback to this approach as some legislators would prefer earmarks to be limited to state projects. Talking points outlining the rationale and need for local projects are attached. A copy of the bill listing the projects is also attached. Please contact your legislators and the House Transportation Committee members to express your support. The members of the Committee are:

Richard Andrade randrade@azleg.gov (602) 926-3130

Brenda Barton bbarton@azleg.gov (602) 926-3421

Leo Biasiucci lbiasiucci@azleg.gov (602) 926-3018

Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren jblackwater-nygren@azleg.gov (602) 926-3069

Frank Carroll (Chair) fcarroll@azleg.gov (602) 926-3249

Neal Carter ncarter@azleg.gov (602) 926-5761

David Cook dcook@azleg.gov (602) 926-5162

Brian Fernandez bfernandez@azleg.gov (602) 926-3098

Robert Meza rmeza@azleg.gov (602) 926-3425

Kevin Payne kpayne@azleg.gov (602) 926-4854

Myron Tsosie mtsosie@azleg.gov (602) 926-3157

Justin Wilmeth (Vice Chair) jwilmeth@azleg.gov (602) 926-5044

In addition, legislation that would authorize the residents of Maricopa County to vote on extending the county's regional transportation half-cent sales tax, set to expire after 2025, is also scheduled to be heard by the Senate Transportation & Technology Committee this afternoon (1/31) and by the House Transportation Committee on Wednesday. The companion bills, HB2598 and SB1356, are outlined in the attached Fact Sheet compiled for SB1356.

Also, legislation expanding the authority of counties to form Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authorities with populations of 400,000 or less rather than 200,000 will also be considered by the Senate Transportation & Technology Committee this afternoon. SB1320 is sponsored by Senator Sine Kerr.

On Thursday morning at 9:00, the State Transportation Board will conduct a study session which will provide some initial direction on the next five-year construction program covering 2023-2027. This will be significant as ADOT will provide some insight on how they plan to incorporate the new funding and requirements from the newly enacted federal infrastructure legislation into the next five-year program. You can watch the study session live at aztransportationboard.gov

Speaking of the federal legislation, the U.S. Department of Transportation just released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the next round of RAISE grants. $1.5 billion will be available this year, a 50% increase due to the new legislation. RAISE grants can be used for a wide variety of transportation projects including state and local, The filing deadline is April 14th and awards will be announced no later than August 12th. The NOFO is also attached.