SB 1332 prohibits Arizona from providing state funding or financial support for new light rail construction projects. It requires the state transportation department to conduct a feasibility study by December 2027, comparing light rail costs, environmental impact, ridership, and maintenance against alternatives like autonomous vehicles and bus systems in Maricopa County. The study must be submitted to state leaders and Phoenix officials, with findings informing future state involvement decisions. The bill expires on June 30, 2028, making it a temporary measure to evaluate transit options before potential future funding.
This bill establishes a new state fund to help Arizona communities pay for the upfront costs of applying for federal transportation grants. It directly affects local governments and organizations in counties and cities of all sizes by providing money for grant applications, engineering design, and matching funds. The program allocates money equally among five categories based on population size, with specific rules to exclude the largest urban areas from certain funding pools. Applicants must first get approval from local planning groups before receiving funds, and they must repay the money if they fail to secure the federal grant or receive duplicate funding elsewhere. Additionally, the bill repeals an existing statute regarding highway revenue distribution to make room for this new funding mechanism.
HB 2946 regulates how Arizona cities and towns can charge development fees for new construction projects. It requires fees to be calculated based on infrastructure plans, limited to actual costs of new public services (like roads or utilities), and prohibits using fees for general operations, maintenance, or upgrades to existing infrastructure. Fees must be placed in a separate fund and used only for the specific infrastructure they cover in the same service area. Developers can choose to pay fees at construction permit issuance or within 15 days of occupancy, with security required for deferred payments.
HB 2109 amends Arizona's distracted driving law to prohibit holding or texting on portable wireless devices while driving, with specific exceptions for hands-free navigation and emergency use. It establishes civil penalties of $75-$149 for first offenses and $150-$400 for repeat violations, adding a $150 penalty if a violation causes a motorcycle accident. The bill also preempts local regulations, ensuring statewide enforcement starting January 1, 2021, and requires warning signs at state highway entrances. This bill directly affects all drivers in Arizona and is currently pending in the legislature (prefiled, first reading).
HB 2111 requires Arizona driver license applicants seeking a motorcycle license or endorsement to pass a test including at least five questions on motorcycle awareness. It updates exam procedures to mandate documentation from authorized third-party motorcycle training programs (starting July 1, 2014) and ensures all applicants demonstrate knowledge of motorcycle safety. The bill directly affects new motorcycle license applicants and the Arizona Department of Transportation, which administers the exams. It makes no changes to licensing fees or penalties, focusing solely on standardizing the knowledge assessment component for motorcycle operators.
