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HB 4084

Transportation: funds; funding for sound wall projects; provide for. Amends 1951 PA 51 (MCL 247.651 - 247.675) by adding sec. 14b.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ron Robinson

HB 4084 would create a statewide Noise Abatement Measure Program under MDOT to fund and manage noise-reduction projects (e.g., sound walls) near state highways.

referred to second reading
#stateagencies(existing):transportation #transportation:funds
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Bill Summary · HB 4084

Summary — HB 4084 (proposed substitute H‑2)

Status: Introduced March 7, 2025; reported with substitute (H‑2) 4/30/2025; referred to second reading. Sponsor (Michigan): Rep. Ron Robinson. Related: SB 830, HB 5405 (companions).

Purpose

HB 4084 would require the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to establish and operate a Noise Abatement Measure Program to fund construction and maintenance of measures that reduce highway noise adjacent to state trunk line highways where no such measures currently exist.

Key provisions

  • MDOT duties
    • Create and operate the Noise Abatement Measure Program.
    • Either construct/maintain noise abatement measures at local road authority request or provide grants/loans to local road authorities for construction/maintenance.
  • Eligible measures
    • Examples specifically named include sound walls and pavement texturing (and other measures that reduce highway noise; some versions also reference earth berms).
  • Applications and agreements
    • Local road authorities apply on MDOT‑approved forms at times MDOT determines.
    • MDOT must notify applicants of approval/rejection.
    • Grants/loans require a written agreement specifying terms and the funded project; funds may be used for design, construction, or maintenance stages.
  • Review, scoring, and transparency
    • MDOT must establish (after stakeholder consultation) and publish a review/scoring process and criteria on its website.
    • Scoring must consider feasibility, reasonableness, cost‑effectiveness and give greater weight to: (i) project cost‑effectiveness, (ii) number of residential units gaining ≥5 dB reduction, and (iii) existing noise level at the site. Presence of nonresidential high‑use areas (parks, schools, playgrounds, recreation centers) that would get ≥5 dB reduction is also considered.
    • Project readiness may be considered but must not be a major factor.
    • MDOT must publicize scores, decisions, and reasons projects were not selected and involve local authorities in scoring as appropriate.
  • Funding mechanism
    • Creates the Noise Abatement Measure Fund in the state treasury. The state treasurer deposits money received from any source and credits investment earnings. MDOT is fund administrator for audit purposes.
    • MDOT may expend fund money only upon legislative appropriation.
    • Funding cap: a single project may not receive more than 5% of the money remaining in the fund when approved.
  • Reporting
    • For each year MDOT receives applications, by December 1 MDOT must report to the legislature’s transportation and appropriations committees the number of applications, names of applicants and approval status, and project summaries.

Fiscal impact and background

  • The bill creates a structure but does not identify revenue sources for the new fund; therefore it has no direct fiscal impact until funding is provided.
  • If funded and operational, state administrative costs would accrue (program administration, noise studies). Federal aid for noise abatement may be available subject to federal rules.
  • MDOT data cited: 308 existing noise barriers on state trunk lines (≈76 miles); 12 barriers (3.74 miles) estimated $19.0M to replace/rehab; 60 barriers (13.5 miles) estimated $27.0M repair; preventative maintenance ≈$2.0M/yr.

Who is affected

  • MDOT (program administrator), the State Treasurer (fund custodial/investment duties), and local road authorities (eligible applicants/recipients). Residents and communities adjacent to state trunk lines could benefit from reduced highway noise.

Timeline / Procedural notes

  • Introduced 2/13/2025; substitute H‑2 reported 4/30/2025; referred to second reading. Program implementation would depend on MDOT rulemaking (establishing criteria, application windows) and legislative appropriation to the Noise Abatement Measure Fund.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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