Sponsor says bill would speed transmission projects by allowing lines along interstate right‑of‑way

Representative Preston presented House Bill 59‑40, which would allow siting and colocation of high‑voltage overhead transmission lines within existing interstate limited‑access rights‑of‑way. Preston said the change would mirror distribution‑level practice, reduce project costs and conflicts with private property owners, and improve project timelines and reliability.

Preston cited other states (Wisconsin, Minnesota and Colorado) that have adopted similar policies and said the legislation would give utilities and departments of transportation a public corridor to develop transmission projects while avoiding long eminent‑domain fights. "Siting transmission infrastructure along maintained right of ways is invaluable because it allows utilities easier access to restore lines and upgrade lines in the future," Preston told the committee.

Committee members asked whether the bill would preclude the use of eminent domain (it would not, the sponsor said, but it should lessen the need), whether buffers and safety offsets around towers have been considered, and whether the bill should require utilities to attempt corridor use before pursuing private land. Preston and remote witness Randy Satterfield of NextGen Highways said engineering standards and experience in other states address buffer and safety concerns and that corridor use reduces private‑land impacts.

Randy Satterfield, executive director of NextGen Highways, testified remotely that colocation on highway corridors accelerates permitting, limits environmental impact and reduces burdens on private landowners. He noted recent policy changes and studies in other states as precedents and said Michigan could similarly identify interstate corridors suitable for colocation.

The committee posed several technical questions and thanked witnesses; no committee vote on HB 59‑40 occurred during the hearing.