The Oregon Transportation Commission met in Salem on Friday September 22nd,
with a heavy focus on hearing from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) on various plans to implement House Bill (HB) 2017, which passed in the recently concluded legislative session and is the largest transportation funding package in Oregon history.
Over the next eight years, the legislation is projected to bring counties over $1 billion
in new revenue and will go a long way toward rebuilding failing infrastructure in Oregon. ODOT staff provided reports on different components of the bill, including several advisory committees that will be formed and include county participation. Transit, pavement condition, value-pricing (e.g. tolling and congestion pricing), and the Safe Routes to School program are among several areas that will need further development and oversight as the funds hopefully begin flowing next year. As many
noticed in the media, the Governor recently toured the state performing ceremonial signings of the bill, and it becomes operative on October 6th.
To date, there has not been an effort made to gather signatures to refer HB 2017 to the ballot. AOC staff will be engaged in all the various advisory committees and agency regulatory efforts.
Contributed by: Mike Eliason | AOC Legislative Director