(a) As used in this section, "public hearing" means an assembly or a meeting by the department for the purpose of:
- (1) providing information early in the process of making decisions affecting proposed highway or bridge construction or improvement projects on a county arterial highway system or the state highway system so that the public can have an impact on the decision outcome, including a meeting in which the public is provided information, opportunity for review and comment, and an accounting for the rationale for a proposed project; or
- (2) complying with 23 U.S.C. 128 and 49 U.S.C. 5323(b) requirements in considering economic, social, environmental, and other effects of highway projects and proposals.
- (b) Whenever the department holds a public hearing, the department shall allow any person an opportunity to be heard in the presence of others who are present to testify and in accordance with subsection (c).
- (c) The department, through the commissioner or the commissioner's designee, may limit testimony at a public hearing to a reasonable time stated at the opening of the public hearing.
As added by P.L.52-1995, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.7-2015, SEC.23.