An Act Regarding Municipal Road Standards
Sponsored By: Mathew McIntyre (Republican)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Town board can order road repairs
A town may appoint a board of appeals to review unsafe town ways. After an officer has five days' actual notice, any three or more responsible people can petition. The board must inspect the way, hold a nearby hearing, and decide if the way is unsafe for the season and surface. If unsafe, it orders repairs and sets a deadline. If safe, it dismisses the petition.
Stronger town road repair duties and rights
Towns must keep roads open and in repair so they are safe for drivers. Safety is judged by the road surface and the season. You must send written notice naming the unsafe town way to the responsible officer. If they unreasonably fail to fix it in a reasonable time and you are injured or your property is damaged, you can sue under section 3655. Items allowed by town rules, like trees, poles, and permitted utility facilities, are not defects.
Old road rules repealed and merged
The law repeals sections 3653 and 3654 and folds road rules into the updated sections 3651 and 3652. This streamlines remedies into the duty-to-repair, notice-and-sue rules, and the local board petition process. Real effects for residents depend on what those repealed sections previously required.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Mathew McIntyre
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Gary Drinkwater
Republican • House
Mark Babin
Republican • House
Michel Lajoie
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor, ACTPUB Chapter 395
6/20/2025PASSED TO BE ENACTED, in concurrence.
6/11/2025SenatePASSED TO BE ENACTED. Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
6/10/2025HouseReport READ and ACCEPTED, in concurrence.READ ONCE.Committee Amendment "A" (H-579) READ and ADOPTED, in concurrence.Under suspension of the Rules, READ A SECOND TIME and PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED AS AMENDED BY Committee Amendment "A" (H-579), in concurrence.Ordered sent down forthwith.
6/10/2025SenateCONSENT CALENDAR - FIRST DAYUnder suspension of the rules CONSENT CALENDAR - SECOND DAY.The Bill was PASSED TO BE ENGROSSED as Amended by Committee Amendment "A" (H-579).Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
6/9/2025HouseThe Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION in concurrence
4/10/2025SenateCommittee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed. The Bill was REFERRED to the Committee on TRANSPORTATION.Sent for concurrence. ORDERED SENT FORTHWITH.
4/10/2025House
Bill Text
Amendment C-A (H-579), adopted by House & Senate
Enacted
Introduced
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