Similar legislation vetoed by Gov. Beshear in 2014
FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 25, 2016) — A bill that would allow government and private entities to enter into different public-private partnerships to fund Kentucky’s major infrastructure needs has received final passage in the House.
House Bill 309, sponsored by Rep. Leslie Combs, D-Pikeville, and Majority Caucus Chair Sannie Overly, D-Paris, received final passage by an 86-8 vote and now goes to Gov. Bevin for his signature. The bill would provide a framework for the use of public-private partnerships, or P3s, as an alternative financing method for major public projects, including transportation projects.
The bill would also specifically prohibit tolls for “any project involving the federal interstate highway system that connects the commonwealth with the State of Ohio,” including the proposed $2.6 billion Brent Spence Bridge project in Northern Kentucky.
When asked by Rep. Arnold Simpson, D-Covington, if HB 309 as amended by the Senate earlier this week would authorize tolls on projects in Northern Kentucky, Combs answered definitively.
“I assure you there were no changes made to actually any roadways…” said Combs. “So you rest assured, everything is safe. It will not be tolled.”
Combs said Senate changes to the bill, with which the House agreed, actually extended the prohibition of tolls in HB 309 to any highway including interstates connecting Kentucky to Ohio, “including but not limited to a bypass of a major metropolitan area.”
The final bill would also clarify that bidding of unsolicited P3 proposals received by state and local government agencies must be open and competitive, clarify language regarding use of P3s by colleges and universities, and allow the state Finance Cabinet to contract with an outside consultant to help with review of local P3 projects, along with a few other provisions.
P3 legislation did pass the Kentucky General Assembly in 2014, but was vetoed by former Gov. Steve Beshear. Provisions for non-transportation related public-private partnerships in existing law and the bill’s prohibition against entering into P3s with the state of Ohio without legislative scrutiny were given by Beshear as reasons for his veto.
HB 309 passed the Senate 29-9 on Thursday. The bill was handled in the Senate by Sen. Max Wise, R-Campbellsville, who sponsored P3 legislation of his own this session. That bill was SB 132.
“House Bill 309 will move the commonwealth forward on important investments, complete necessary infrastructure projects and efficiently serve the public,” Kentucky Chamber president and CEO Dave Adkisson said in a statement. “We commend Rep. Leslie Combs and Sen. Max Wise for their diligent work on this legislation which has been a top priority of the Kentucky Chamber since 2014. Rep. Combs and Sen. Wise and have worked to ensure that this legislation offers the greatest level of taxpayer protections and transparency by requiring decisions on P3 projects to be made in the daylight with legislative oversight. House Bill 309 creates a clear process in statute for both government and businesses to follow which levels the playing field for those pursing a P3.”
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