Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Conference committee approves Senate Bill 2012 funding package, directs completion of U.S. Highway 85 segment
Summary
A legislative conference committee approved the conference report on Senate Bill 2012, a Department of Transportation funding package, adopting amendments that give the DOT flexibility to transfer unspent bid funds and direct construction of the remaining portion of U.S. Highway 85 between Highway 200 and Longstreet.
A conference committee voted to approve the conference report on Senate Bill 2012, a Department of Transportation funding package, after adopting amendments that allow the DOT to transfer unspent funds and direct construction on a remaining segment of U.S. Highway 85 between Highway 200 and Longstreet.
The measure matters because it allocates state transportation funding and includes language intended to give the DOT flexibility to move money among projects depending on bid results; committee members said the changes are intended to get projects started and allow the department to reassign savings. The committee also adopted language directing the DOT to "construct and complete the remaining portions of U.S. Highway 85" between Highway 200 and Longstreet and discussed related environmental review language.
Senator Dwyer moved adoption of the conference report and amendments; Senator Wise seconded an earlier motion and Representative Bosch moved the final motion to adopt the bill as amended and further amended, with a second from Senator Urban. The clerk conducted roll calls during committee action. The final roll call recorded the following affirmative votes: Chairman Wanzek; Senator Dwyer; Senator Erbele; Representative Brandenburg; Representative Bosch; and Representative Weiss. The motion passed.
Committee discussion focused on two main points: (1) flexibility for DOT to transfer remaining funds if project bids come in under estimate, and (2) the scope and wording directing construction on U.S. Highway 85. A committee member explained that the bill language was changed from wording about "beginning" work to "shall construct and complete" work on the identified stretch. Committee members clarified that the stretch discussed is 19 miles, described in the meeting as a 13-mile section plus a 6-mile section.
Members also noted an amendment referencing an environmental impact statement for a portion of Highway 200 South; committee members said that amendment is included elsewhere in the bill. Committee leadership said maps and final amendment language will be shared with members and with the public once the final bill is reviewed to avoid distributing materials that may require correction.
Formal action recorded by the committee was adoption of the conference report on Senate Bill 2012, as amended and further amended. Committee members directed that final documents and supporting materials be reviewed internally before public distribution.
