HB6176 Summary

• Creates the New Harmony Bridge Compact Act and New Harmony Bridge Commissioners Act to establish a bi-state commission between Illinois and Indiana for rehabilitating and maintaining the New Harmony Bridge crossing the Wabash River.

• Governor must appoint 3 Illinois commissioners by January 1, 2013 (one from Carmi, one from Crossville, one from White County) with Senate approval; Indiana appoints 3 commissioners under similar residency requirements.

• Commission has powers to negotiate bridge acceptance, secure federal financing, establish tolls, conduct studies, and convey the bridge to a private entity upon rehabilitation completion.

• Commissioners serve without compensation but receive reimbursement for necessary expenses; toll revenues fund maintenance, repairs, operations, and debt service.

• Compact expires 5 years after becoming effective or upon bridge conveyance to private entity, whichever is earlier, unless both state legislatures authorize extension.