Ohio Governor Turnpike

There is disagreement over whether a Senate bill would crack open the door for toll roads in Michigan. This Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012 photo shows motorists passing through a toll booth in Streetsboro, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

LANSING, MI -- A bill that would expand public-private partnerships is garnering opposition from groups who say it could open the door for toll roads in Michigan.

Senate Bill 627 would let public authorities enter into agreements with private companies to develop certain projects, such as transportation projects. The public authority could collect or let a private partner collect user fees "by manual, digital, or electronic means, including by video, transponder, tag, camera, and any other suitable technology or means," according to bill language

The sponsor of the bill is Sen. Mike Kowall, R-White Lake, who told the House Commerce and Trade Committee at a hearing Thursday morning his bill isn't about toll roads. Instead, he said, it's a way to leverage private companies for more efficient projects with less risk to the government. It's something other states do, he said, including those surrounding Michigan.

"I would ask you very seriously consider this piece of legislation. We are at a major disadvantage in this state for not having it," Kowall said.

But James Walker, a life member of the National Motorists Association, testified the bill would let public-private partnerships establish toll roads with no input from the legislature.

"Most residents and Pure Michigan visitors would despise toll roads, but the legislature and the public would be helpless to prevent them," Walker said.

The federal government prohibits states from placing tolls on federal-aid highways, though there are several exceptions to the rule.

Walker thinks the state may be angling for one of those exceptions. He pointed to a report released Monday by the governor's 21st Century Infrastructure Commission, which recommended the state pursue toll roads by applying for any openings in the federal Interstate System Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Pilot Program, which permits tolling on a limited number of interstate highways for needed repairs.

But Rep. Jim Townsend, D-Royal Oak, pointed out that right now Michigan doesn't have that federal authorization. Without it, he said, the tolls are impossible.

"You're raising a red herring, essentially," he told those who testified in opposition to the bill.

Dave Dudenhoefer of the Michigan Campaign for Liberty still said this bill would open the door to toll roads if the state got federal approval. The result, he said, would be a burden for Michigan drivers.

"Hear me on this. The fuel tax, the vehicle registration fee increase. The ink isn't even dried on that yet and we're talking about sticking the Michigan drivers yet again? Really?" Dudenhoefer asked.

The committee did not take a vote on the bill Thursday.