Committee advances concrete-fee bill, raises supplemental-agreement threshold and approves multiple memorial highway namings

The Senate Highways and Transportation Committee on Oct. 12 advanced a set of bills that included a measure on concrete and solid-waste vehicle fees, an increase to the commission's supplemental-agreement authority, and a block of memorial highway and bridge namings.

Chairman (unnamed) opened the session by introducing House Bill 150, saying it mirrors legislation considered in another chamber and reflects a compromise between the Concrete Association, State Aid and MDOT. "Bill we're gonna take up is house bill number 150. It's the same bill that we had at senate bill 2256 with the concrete and the solid waste vehicle increase," the chairman said. He told committee members the proposal aligns the state with neighboring states that have higher fees.

The committee voted by voice to approve advancing House Bill 150.

The committee next took up House Bill 638, which would authorize the commission to enter supplemental agreements in amounts not to exceed $250,000. "The current amount is $100,000, and it is needed right now," the chairman…