Asset management: HB 5396, sponsored by Representative Larry Julian (R-Lennon), would amend Public Act 51 of 1951, Michigan's Transportation Funding Act, and require the Michigan Department of Transportation and all other road agencies to publicly report how they spend road dollars. This bill has passed both the House and is on the floor of the Senate.

Auto leasing: HB 4002, sponsored by Representative Judy Scranton (R-Brighton), would close a tax loophole by changing the tax structure on leased vehicles to a sales tax, rather than a use tax. This would send $18 million dollars to the Comprehensive Transportation Fund for public transportation across the state. This bill has had several committee meetings and is expected to be taken up again in September.

Diesel tax simplification package: HBs 5734, 5735 and 5736, sponsored by Representatives Keith Stallworth (D-Detroit), Doug Hart (R-Rockford), and Larry Julian (R-Lennon), respectively. These bills will simplify how diesel taxes are collected in Michigan by reducing paperwork and instituting paying for diesel tax at the pump. Although there is agreement that simplification will generate increased revenue, numbers vary significantly and cannot be confirmed at this time. These bills have passed the Transportation Committee and are on the House floor.

Diesel tax distribution: HB 5733, sponsored by Jud Gilbert (R-Algonac), would direct a portion of the diesel tax directly to the Michigan Department of Transportation. This would create a substantial revenue loss for both local road agencies and transit providers. This bill has had hearings in the Transportation Committee but no vote.

Redefining maintenance: HB 5383, sponsored by Thomas George (R-Kalamazoo), would create a uniform definition for road maintenance under Public Act 51 of 1951, Michigan's Transportation Funding Act. The new definition would exclude new roads and road widenings from the definition. Thus maintenance would mean patching potholes and filling cracks. This bill has passed the House and is on the Senate floor.

Regional transportation authority: HB 5467, sponsored by Representative Kwame Kilpatrick (D-Detroit), creates a regional transportation authority, the Detroit Area Regional Transportation Authority or DARTA. This bill provides for a governing board that will coordinate service routes and rates for service providers in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw and Monroe counties. It also grants the board certain powers and allows for withdrawal from the authority. The bill has passed both the House and Senate in different forms. The bill is now in conference committee.

Segway: SB 1014, sponsored by Senator Bill Bullard Jr. (R-Oakland County), allows electric personal mobility devices, or Segways, on sidewalks. It also specifies that these devices are not allowed on trailways or Mackinac Island. The measure reserves the right for local governments to regulate their use. This bill has passed the Senate and is sitting on the House floor.

Transportation budget: HB 5651 is sponsored by Scott Shackleton (R-Sault Ste. Marie). This year's budget process yields increases in local bus operating as well as a provision to fund a Lansing-to-Detroit commuter rail that will stop at the Detroit airport. The budget has passed both the House and Senate and is scheduled for conference committee on June 17, 2002 to iron out the differences.

Mercury thermometers: If HB 4599, sponsored by Rep. Jack Minore (D-Flint) is passed, Michigan will become the ninth state to pass legislation restricting the sale of mercury thermometers. The bill was recently reported out of Senate committee and only needs to be passed by the full Senate to be sent on to the Governor. It is estimated that mercury thermometers represent 10% of the mercury in the municipal waste stream. If mercury is released from a thermometer and is not properly cleaned up, it will evaporate, potentially reaching dangerous levels in indoor air, particularly in small, poorly-ventilated rooms.

Next energy: Legislation was introduced in both the House and Senate that would create a new authority to encourage businesses involved in advanced energy technology to locate in Michigan. Announced by Governor Engler this spring, the Next Energy initiative targets businesses developing clean energy technologies, fuel cells, advanced technology vehicles and rechargeable batteries.