SB 6697 - DIGEST

(SEE ALSO PROPOSED 1ST SUB)

Directs the secretary of transportation to appoint an enhancement advisory committee representing interest groups and local governments.

Provides that the enhancement advisory committee shall make the final selection of projects funded with federal enhancement funds or like categorical funds made available to the state through the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2003 (SAFETEA), or authorized under any federal surface transportation act that succeeds the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21).

Provides that the enhancement committee shall make final selection of projects using metropolitan planning organization or regional transportation planning organization priorities, consideration of the diversity of interest groups represented in this act, and an equitable statewide distribution of funding that is based on population.

Requires the enhancement committee to allocate to scenic and historic highway programs not less than thirty-one percent of the enhancement funding specified in this act.

Provides that, of the amount calculated in this act, not less than thirty percent must be allocated to projects with a specific heritage element as identified by the committee's heritage community representative.