The Mississippi House adopted legislation April 8 that would allow referendums on toll road projects in the state.

House lawmakers voted 106-13 to advance the toll bill. The Senate already has passed it.

Minor differences between the two chambers are likely to be sent to a House-Senate conference committee, where a final version of legislation would be written, The Clarion-Ledger reported.

SB2063, sponsored by Sen. Charlie Ross, R-Brandon, authorizes the Mississippi Transportation Commission, county boards of supervisors and governing boards of municipalities to contract with private industry in the state to construct toll roads and bridges and collect the toll to pay off the investment.

Supporters of the bill want to charge tolls to pay for a proposed $300 million, seven-mile road connecting I-10 and the Port of Gulfport to ease truck traffic on U.S. 49.

“Truckers would love a better way to get in and out of the port,” Central District Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall told the newspaper.

But Rep. Jim Simpson, R-Long Beach, said some truck drivers have told him a toll would be an added burden. About 1,300 trucks a month stop at the Port of Gulfport to drop off goods, he said.

The bill requires 20 percent of a county’s electorate or 1,500 voters, whichever is less, to call for a referendum on any project.

It also requires that alternate, nonpaying routes be in place before toll roads are established.