LEGISLATIVE SERVICES AGENCY
OFFICE OF FISCAL AND MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
200 W. Washington St., Suite 301
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 233-0696
iga.in.gov
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
LS 6601 NOTE PREPARED: Dec 28, 2023
BILL NUMBER: HB 1429 BILL AMENDED:
SUBJECT: Low Water Crossings.
FIRST AUTHOR: Rep. Patterson BILL STATUS: As Introduced
FIRST SPONSOR:
FUNDS AFFECTED: GENERAL IMPACT: State & Local
XDEDICATED
FEDERAL
Summary of Legislation: The bill defines "low water crossing" as a place where a road crosses a stream
having a water level that is normally well below the level of the road but may in times of heavy rain rise
above the level of the road to a depth that is difficult for the driver of an oncoming automobile to judge,
creating the risk that the driver will attempt to cross at the crossing and the driver's automobile will become
buoyant and be swept off the road.
The bill also defines "low water crossing project" as a project that consists of installing appropriate road
signs to warn automobile drivers as they approach a low water crossing, replacing damaged or undersized
road culverts in a low water crossing with culverts that will accommodate a greater quantity of stream flow
under the road, or replacing a low water crossing with a bridge.
The bill authorizes a local county road and bridge board to undertake low water crossing projects. It requires
the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation (INDOT) to ensure that the Department makes
information available to county boards of commissioners and county highway departments about funding
from federal and private sources that might be available to the counties for low water crossing projects.
The bill also amends the law on the Local Road and Bridge Matching Grant Fund: (1) to allow grants to local
units to be used for low water crossing projects; and (2) to provide that funds allocated for grants to local
units having a population of less than 50,000 can be used to make grants to counties below the population
limit as well as to municipalities located in counties that are below the population limit.
Effective Date: July 1, 2024.
HB 1429 1 Explanation of State Expenditures: This bill will increase the workload of the Indiana Department of
Transportation (INDOT) to provide (1) information to county boards of commissioners and county highway
departments concerning funds available and (2) assistance to counties in applying for federal and private
grant funding for low water crossing projects. Increases in workload are within the routine administrative
function of the agency and are expected to be implemented within existing resource and funding levels.
The bill also expands projects eligible to participate in the Local Road and Bridge Matching Grant program
to include low water crossings. Expanding program eligibility may not necessarily increase state expenditures
as awards are contingent upon the project being selected by INDOT for state matching funds as well as
program funding availability.
Additional Information - Since inception in 2016, the Local Road and Bridge Matching Grant Fund has
awarded approximately $1.4 B in state funds to local units of government for infrastructure projects. For FY
2023, INDOT awarded a total of $224.9 M to local units of government.
The bill changes to annual awards from the Local Road and Bridge Matching Grant Fund for counties with
populations less than 50,000 residents. Currently 50% of annual awards from the Local Matching Grant Fund
are designated for local units located within counties that have a population of less than 50,000. The bill
specifies that these awards are to be set aside for both the county unit and municipalities within these
counties, which is current practice. This change is expected to have no fiscal impact.
Explanation of State Revenues:
Explanation of Local Expenditures: By expanding projects eligible to participate in the Local Road and
Bridge Matching Grant program, this bill could increase local expenditures to provide the match required
for program participation. Increases in local expenditures to meet the match would ultimately depend on the
decision of county commissioners to apply for state grants as well as the decision of INDOT administrators
to select the project for an award.
Additional Information - For counties with populations greater than 50,000 residents, the local match
requirement is 50% of program costs, whereas for counties with populations less than 50,000 residents, the
local match requirement is 25% of program costs.
Explanation of Local Revenues:
State Agencies Affected: INDOT.
Local Agencies Affected: Counties and municipalities
Information Sources: INDOT.
ttps://www.in.gov/indot/doing-business-with-indot/local-public-agency-programs/community-crossing-m
atching-grant-program/
Fiscal Analyst: Bill Brumbach, 317-232-9559.
HB 1429 2