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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
Interstate
11; environmental; engineering; study
(NOW: appropriation; Pinal County transportation study)
Purpose
Establishes the Pinal County Transportation Needs Study Committee (Study Committee) and appropriates $500,000 from the state General Fund (state GF) in FY 2026 to the Study Committee to collaborate with an institution of higher learning.
Background
The
Transportation Planning Division for Pinal County consists of a Transportation
Improvement and Maintenance Program (TIMP), long-range transportation plans,
feasibility and safety studies and other transportation-related studies and
plans. The TIMP is Pinal County's
Five-Year Transportation Plan (Plan) that identifies potential funding and
outlines a tentative schedule for planning, construction and major maintenance
projects. Transportation projects are considered for prioritization and
inclusion in the Plan by the Transportation Advisory Committee which submits
the recommended Plan to the Pinal County Board of Supervisors for final
approval and inclusion in Pinal County's annual operating budget (Pinal County).
H.B. 2234 appropriates a total of $500,000 from the state GF in FY 2026 to the Study Committee.
Provisions
1. Appropriates $500,000 from the state gf in FY 2026 to the Study Committee to collaborate with an institution of higher education in Arizona to study transportation infrastructure needs in Pinal County.
2. Establishes the Study Committee.
3. Instructs the Study Committee to:
a) assess current and projected transportation infrastructure needs within Pinal County, including roadways, public transit and multimodal transportation options;
b) identify gaps, inefficiencies and areas for improvement in Pinal County's transportation network;
c) provide recommendations for future infrastructure investments and policy changes to enhance transportation safety, efficiency and future growth; and
d) engage with local governments, regional planning agencies and community stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive assessment.
4. Directs the Study Committee, by June 30, 2026, to submit a report of findings and recommendations to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and ADOT and provide a copy of the report to the Secretary of State.
5. Repeals the Study Committee on January 1, 2027.
6. Exempts the appropriation from lapsing.
7. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
TI 2/19/25 DPA/SE 7-0-0-0
3rd Read 3/4/25 31-27-2
Prepared by Senate Research
March 17, 2025
KJA/AG/slp