AN ACT CONCERNING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS FOR CONNECTICUT'S ECONOMIC FUTURE.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. Subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of 13b-79p of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2007):

(4) Developing [a] new commuter rail [station between New Haven and Milford] stations in Orange and West Haven.

Sec. 2. Subdivision (11) of subsection (a) of section 13b-79p of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2007):

(11) Funding the Commercial Vehicle Information System Network, including electronic pre-clearance of safe truck operators for fixed scale operations on Interstate 91 and Interstate 95, not to exceed four million dollars.

Sec. 3. Subsection (a) of section 13b-79p of the general statutes is amended by adding subdivisions (14) and (15) as follows (Effective July 1, 2007):

(NEW) (14) Purchasing not less than twenty-four electric rail cars for use on the New Haven Line and Shore Line East commuter rail services;

(NEW) (15) Funding the expansion of Shore Line East, including increased parking, bridge repair, locomotive and rail car purchase, not to exceed twenty-four million dollars.

Sec. 4. (Effective July 1, 2007) The sum of twelve million six hundred thirty-three thousand dollars for operating costs, and the sum of forty-three million dollars for capital costs, are appropriated to the Department of Transportation, from the Special Transportation Fund, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, and the next five fiscal years thereafter, to improve bus connectivity and service, including cleaner buses, expanded parking for express services, headway increases, new enhanced facilities and bus rapid transit.

Sec. 5. (Effective July 1, 2007) The sum of seventy-five million dollars is appropriated each year to the Department of Transportation, from the Special Transportation Fund, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, and the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, to establish a Fix-it-First program to repair the state's roads.

Sec. 6. (Effective July 1, 2007) The sum of seventy-five million dollars is appropriated each year to the Department of Transportation, from the Special Transportation Fund, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, and the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, to establish a Fix-it-First program to repair the state's bridges.

Sec. 7. (Effective July 1, 2007) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, and for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, an additional eighteen million dollars is appropriated to the Department of Transportation for the purpose of providing funds to the Town Aid for Roads program. Such funds shall be in addition to the total amount allocated to the Town Aid for Roads program for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007.

Sec. 8. (Effective July 1, 2007) (a) For the purposes described in subsection (b) of this section, the State Bond Commission shall have the power, from time to time, to authorize the issuance of bonds of the state in one or more series and in principal amounts not exceeding in the aggregate twenty million dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, and twenty million dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009.

(b) The proceeds of the sale of said bonds, to the extent of the amount stated in subsection (a) of this section, shall be used by the Department of Transportation for the purpose of establishing a transit-oriented development grant program to integrate, coordinate and plan transit-oriented development around new and enhanced commuter rail and bus centers that provide both mixed-use development and housing. Such grants shall be given for planning and land acquisition, and priority shall be given to applicants with projects near the Metro North, Shore Line East and New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail stations and bus centers, and the New Britain to Hartford busway. Eligible municipal applicants shall work in partnership with such municipality's Council of Government, Regional Planning Agency or Metropolitan Planning Organization. The Department of Transportation may use not more than two per cent of the total allocation for administrative purposes.

(c) All provisions of section 3-20 of the general statutes, or the exercise of any right or power granted thereby, which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this section are hereby adopted and shall apply to all bonds authorized by the State Bond Commission pursuant to this section, and temporary notes in anticipation of the money to be derived from the sale of any such bonds so authorized may be issued in accordance with said section 3-20 and from time to time renewed. Such bonds shall mature at such time or times not exceeding twenty years from their respective dates as may be provided in or pursuant to the resolution or resolutions of the State Bond Commission authorizing such bonds. None of said bonds shall be authorized except upon a finding by the State Bond Commission that there has been filed with it a request for such authorization which is signed by or on behalf of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and states such terms and conditions as said commission, in its discretion, may require. Said bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be general obligations of the state and the full faith and credit of the state of Connecticut are pledged for the payment of the principal of and interest on said bonds as the same become due, and accordingly and as part of the contract of the state with the holders of said bonds, appropriation of all amounts necessary for punctual payment of such principal and interest is hereby made, and the State Treasurer shall pay such principal and interest as the same become due.

Sec. 9. (Effective July 1, 2007) (a) For the purposes described in subsection (b) of this section, the State Bond Commission shall have the power, from time to time, to authorize the issuance of bonds of the state in one or more series and in principal amounts not exceeding in the aggregate thirteen million two hundred thousand dollars.

(b) The proceeds of the sale of said bonds, to the extent of the amount stated in subsection (a) of this section, shall be used by the Department of Transportation for the purposes of repairing the Maybrook Railroad Line, not to exceed eleven million two hundred thousand dollars, and conducting a study to assess the safety of rail bridges, not to exceed two million dollars.

(c) All provisions of sections 13b-74 to 13b-77, inclusive, of the general statutes, or the exercise of any right or power granted thereby, which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this section are hereby adopted and shall apply to all bonds authorized by the State Bond Commission pursuant to this section, and temporary notes in anticipation of the money to be derived from the sale of any such bonds so authorized may be issued in accordance with said sections 13b-74 to 13b-77, inclusive, and from time to time renewed. Such bonds shall mature at such time or times not exceeding thirty years from their respective dates as may be provided in or pursuant to the resolution or resolutions of the State Bond Commission authorizing such bonds. None of said bonds shall be authorized except upon a finding by the State Bond Commission that there has been filed with it a request for such authorization which is signed by or on behalf of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and states such terms and conditions as said commission, in its discretion, may require. Said bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be special tax obligations of the state and all pledged revenues, as defined in subdivision (4) of section 13b-75 of the general statutes, are pledged for the payment of the principal of and interest on said bonds as the same become due, and accordingly and as part of the contract of the state with the holders of said bonds, appropriation of all amounts from the special transportation fund created under section 13b-68 of the general statutes necessary for punctual payment of such principal and interest is hereby made, and the State Treasurer shall pay such principal and interest as the same become due.

Sec. 10. (Effective July 1, 2007) (a) For the purposes described in subsection (b) of this section, the State Bond Commission shall have the power, from time to time, to authorize the issuance of bonds of the state in one or more series and in principal amounts not exceeding in the aggregate five million dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, and five million dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009.

(b) The proceeds of the sale of said bonds, to the extent of the amount stated in subsection (a) of this section, shall be used by the Department of Environmental Protection for the purpose of establishing a Connecticut Bikeway grant program for municipal grants. For the purposes of this section, "bikeway" means any road, street, path or way which is specifically designated for bicycle travel, even if such road, street, path or way is shared with other modes of transportation.

(c) Such grants shall be used for planning, design, land acquisition, construction, construction administration and promotional materials for new bike trails. Eligible projects may include: (1) Bike trails that complete sections of the Connecticut Spine Route Bike Trail of the East Coast Greenway, (2) bike trails that connect to the Connecticut Spine Route Bike Trail, and (3) bike trails or other multiuse paths established within the State Recreational Trails Plan.

(d) Eligibility for such grants shall include, but not be limited to: (1) A municipal match of twenty per cent, (2) municipal responsibility for maintenance of such bike trails, (3) public input, and (4) designs that comply with the 1999 American Association of State Highway Transportation Official's "Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities".

(e) The Department of Environmental Protection may use not more than two per cent of the total allocation for administrative purposes. An advisory committee shall be established to advise on the allocation of such funds. Membership of such committee shall comprise of trail users and advocates, who shall be determined by the commissioner. The Department of Transportation shall, in accordance with the provisions of title 13a of the general statutes, work with the Department of Environmental Protection in furtherance of such program.

(f) All provisions of section 3-20 of the general statutes, or the exercise of any right or power granted thereby, which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this section are hereby adopted and shall apply to all bonds authorized by the State Bond Commission pursuant to this section, and temporary notes in anticipation of the money to be derived from the sale of any such bonds so authorized may be issued in accordance with said section 3-20 and from time to time renewed. Such bonds shall mature at such time or times not exceeding twenty years from their respective dates as may be provided in or pursuant to the resolution or resolutions of the State Bond Commission authorizing such bonds. None of said bonds shall be authorized except upon a finding by the State Bond Commission that there has been filed with it a request for such authorization which is signed by or on behalf of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and states such terms and conditions as said commission, in its discretion, may require. Said bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be general obligations of the state and the full faith and credit of the state of Connecticut are pledged for the payment of the principal of and interest on said bonds as the same become due, and accordingly and as part of the contract of the state with the holders of said bonds, appropriation of all amounts necessary for punctual payment of such principal and interest is hereby made, and the State Treasurer shall pay such principal and interest as the same become due.

Sec. 11. (Effective July 1, 2007) The sum of six million one hundred thousand dollars is appropriated to the Department of Transportation, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, for elderly and disabled demand responsive transportation programs for persons sixty years of age or older. Such moneys shall be provided by funds previously transferred to the Department of Transportation for such programs for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008. Any balance remaining for such programs at the end of any fiscal year shall be carried forward for the next fiscal year succeeding.

Sec. 12. (Effective July 1, 2007) (a) For the purposes described in subsection (b) of this section, the State Bond Commission shall have the power, from time to time, to authorize the issuance of bonds of the state in one or more series and in principal amounts not exceeding in the aggregate twenty-five million dollars.

(b) The proceeds of the sale of said bonds, to the extent of the amount stated in subsection (a) of this section, shall be used by the Department of Transportation for the purpose of establishing a rail station improvement program, not to exceed ten million dollars in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, and not to exceed fifteen million dollars in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009.

(c) All provisions of sections 13b-74 to 13b-77, inclusive, of the general statutes, or the exercise of any right or power granted thereby, which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this section are hereby adopted and shall apply to all bonds authorized by the State Bond Commission pursuant to this section, and temporary notes in anticipation of the money to be derived from the sale of any such bonds so authorized may be issued in accordance with said sections 13b-74 to 13b-77, inclusive, and from time to time renewed. Such bonds shall mature at such time or times not exceeding thirty years from their respective dates as may be provided in or pursuant to the resolution or resolutions of the State Bond Commission authorizing such bonds. None of said bonds shall be authorized except upon a finding by the State Bond Commission that there has been filed with it a request for such authorization which is signed by or on behalf of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and states such terms and conditions as said commission, in its discretion, may require. Said bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be special tax obligations of the state and all pledged revenues, as defined in subdivision (4) of section 13b-75 of the general statutes, are pledged for the payment of the principal of and interest on said bonds as the same become due, and accordingly and as part of the contract of the state with the holders of said bonds, appropriation of all amounts from the special transportation fund created under section 13b-68 of the general statutes necessary for punctual payment of such principal and interest is hereby made, and the State Treasurer shall pay such principal and interest as the same become due.

Sec. 13. (Effective July 1, 2007) (a) For the purposes described in subsection (b) of this section, the State Bond Commission shall have the power, from time to time, to authorize the issuance of bonds of the state in one or more series and in principal amounts not exceeding in the aggregate thirty million dollars.

(b) The proceeds of the sale of said bonds, to the extent of the amount stated in subsection (a) of this section, shall be used by the Department of Transportation for the purpose of constructing the Greater Waterbury Multimodal Transportation Center.

(c) All provisions of sections 13b-74 to 13b-77, inclusive, of the general statutes, or the exercise of any right or power granted thereby, which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this section are hereby adopted and shall apply to all bonds authorized by the State Bond Commission pursuant to this section, and temporary notes in anticipation of the money to be derived from the sale of any such bonds so authorized may be issued in accordance with said sections 13b-74 to 13b-77, inclusive, and from time to time renewed. Such bonds shall mature at such time or times not exceeding thirty years from their respective dates as may be provided in or pursuant to the resolution or resolutions of the State Bond Commission authorizing such bonds. None of said bonds shall be authorized except upon a finding by the State Bond Commission that there has been filed with it a request for such authorization which is signed by or on behalf of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and states such terms and conditions as said commission, in its discretion, may require. Said bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be special tax obligations of the state and all pledged revenues, as defined in subdivision (4) of section 13b-75 of the general statutes, are pledged for the payment of the principal of and interest on said bonds as the same become due, and accordingly and as part of the contract of the state with the holders of said bonds, appropriation of all amounts from the special transportation fund created under section 13b-68 of the general statutes necessary for punctual payment of such principal and interest is hereby made, and the State Treasurer shall pay such principal and interest as the same become due.

Sec. 14. (Effective July 1, 2007) (a) For the purposes described in subsection (b) of this section, the State Bond Commission shall have the power, from time to time, to authorize the issuance of bonds of the state in one or more series and in principal amounts not exceeding in the aggregate thirty-five million dollars.

(b) The proceeds of the sale of said bonds, to the extent of the amount stated in subsection (a) of this section, shall be used by the Department of Transportation for the purpose of constructing a parking garage at the Stamford Transportation Center, including rights-of-way, other property acquisition and related projects.

(c) All provisions of sections 13b-74 to 13b-77, inclusive, of the general statutes, or the exercise of any right or power granted thereby, which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this section are hereby adopted and shall apply to all bonds authorized by the State Bond Commission pursuant to this section, and temporary notes in anticipation of the money to be derived from the sale of any such bonds so authorized may be issued in accordance with said sections 13b-74 to 13b-77, inclusive, and from time to time renewed. Such bonds shall mature at such time or times not exceeding thirty years from their respective dates as may be provided in or pursuant to the resolution or resolutions of the State Bond Commission authorizing such bonds. None of said bonds shall be authorized except upon a finding by the State Bond Commission that there has been filed with it a request for such authorization which is signed by or on behalf of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and states such terms and conditions as said commission, in its discretion, may require. Said bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be special tax obligations of the state and all pledged revenues, as defined in subdivision (4) of section 13b-75 of the general statutes, are pledged for the payment of the principal of and interest on said bonds as the same become due, and accordingly and as part of the contract of the state with the holders of said bonds, appropriation of all amounts from the special transportation fund created under section 13b-68 of the general statutes necessary for punctual payment of such principal and interest is hereby made, and the State Treasurer shall pay such principal and interest as the same become due.

Sec. 15. (Effective July 1, 2007) The sum of seven hundred thousand dollars is appropriated to the Department of Transportation, from the Special Transportation Fund, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, to conduct a study of Routes 2 and 2A. Such study shall be completed not later than June 30, 2008.

Sec. 16. (Effective July 1, 2007) The sum of six million three hundred thousand dollars is appropriated to the Department of Transportation, from the Special Transportation Fund, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, for implementation of phases 1 and 2 of Shore Line East expanded service, including weekend and additional daily service between New Haven and New London.

Sec. 17. (Effective July 1, 2007) The sum of five hundred thousand dollars is appropriated to the Department of Transportation, from the Special Transportation Fund, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, for the establishment of a Greater Hartford pilot program that encourages public and private employees to use public transportation to travel to and from such employees' place of employment.

Statement of Purpose:

To expeditiously implement the next phase of comprehensive transportation infrastructure improvements to strengthen the economy, reduce congestion, encourage public transit usage, foster transit oriented development and responsible growth, and provide enhanced mobility for people and goods.

[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]

H.B. 6366