Amends TCA Section 54-4-404.

Present law provides for the state-aid highway system, which consists of designated highways and roads upon which system funds will be expended. The commissioner of transportation allocates funds appropriated to the state-aid highway system to the local government agency, which has authority over the designated roads and highways, for projects implemented under the system. The local agency must agree to provide at least 25 percent of the projected cost of a road project implemented under the system from county funds, in-kind project work, or a combination of funds and project work. The state provides the remaining 75 percent of funds under the state-aid highway system.<br /> <br /> Present law authorizes a county to use any unexpended funds that have accrued in the state treasury and that are available for the county's use under the state-aid highway system as part of the required 25 percent local agency contribution for a road project implemented under the system, if the county provides at least 2 percent of the approved project costs from county funds, in-kind project work approved by the commissioner, or a combination of funds and approved project work. The road project for which the funds are used must begin during the 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017-2018, or 2018-2019 fiscal years.<br /> <br /> The above-described authorization to so use unexpended funds is scheduled to expire on July 1, 2019. This bill removes the expiration date for the authorization, thereby making it permanent, and removes the requirement that the project must begin during the fiscal years stated above.<br /> <br />