Mississippi House Bill HB269

Mississippi 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/5/23
• Refer: 1/5/23
• Failed: 1/31/23

Caption

State aid system of roads; increase maximum total mileage of by 400 miles.

Impact

If passed, HB269 would adjust the allocation process for state aid road mileage among counties. It allows for a total of 26,257.04 miles to be designated within the state aid system, which is vital for both rural and urban connectivity. The proposed amendments would maintain the proportional distribution of road mileage among counties based on respective rural road mileage and populations, thus ensuring equitable support and resources for road maintenance and development in diverse areas.

Summary

House Bill 269 proposes to amend Section 65-9-3 of the Mississippi Code by increasing the maximum total mileage for the State Aid System of roads by 400 miles. This legislative change is aimed at enhancing the state's infrastructure by allowing for an expanded network of roads and connecting routes that can improve transportation across counties. The bill emphasizes collaborative efforts between the state and local counties in determining which roads should be included in this aid system.

Contention

While the adjustment to roadway mileage is generally seen as a beneficial investment in infrastructure, discussions may arise regarding the actual implementation of this increase. Stakeholders could raise concerns about whether the additional miles can be adequately maintained over time and how this metric could affect funding allocation for existing roadways. Critics might argue that merely increasing mileage might not necessarily translate to improved road conditions or better transportation access if the accompanying funding and management strategies are not thoroughly developed. As such, the effective allocation and use of new funds will be critical to the success of this bill.