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Riggs proposes voter power to veto MoDOT spending plan; MoDOT warns federal approval could be at risk
Summary
Representative Louis Riggs introduced HJR 46 to allow the General Assembly to approve or veto the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP); MoDOT officials told the committee that making the STIP subject to additional review could delay federal approvals and jeopardize federal reimbursements.
Representative Louis Riggs (Fifth District) told the committee HJR 46 would give the General Assembly authority to approve or reject the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, the STIP, which MoDOT currently prepares. Riggs said his region has waited decades for projects — including a bypass around Macon and an overpass at Palmyra — while MoDOT prioritized other projects. He said the STIP process lacks accountability to elected representatives and asserted MoDOT is "sitting on" an estimated $1.1 billion in unobligated funds that could be used on long-delayed rural projects.
Riggs framed HJR 46 as restoring checks and balances. He asked whether MoDOT had moved in the right direction on accountability; he told the committee he believes the process is antiquated and has not evolved with modern needs.
A MoDOT representative (unnamed on the record) provided informational testimony. That witness said the STIP is a federally required five-year document that is approved annually and is necessary to access federal reimbursement for projects. The representative explained that many federal grants are reimbursable: the state spends first and then seeks federal reimbursement (generally about 80% on many projects), so missing the federal approval cycle could make federal funds unavailable. The MoDOT witness warned that subjecting the STIP to an added vote or veto could delay approval and risk losing federal funding that is only available in the federal fiscal year for which it was appropriated.
Public testimony included Arnie C. ACDinoff, State Public Advocate, who urged the committee to place the question before voters and said he would favor electing members of the Missouri Transportation Commission by congressional district. ACDinoff described a lack of transparency at the commission and suggested the current appointment process favors political donors.
Committee members asked whether the STIP is part of MoDOT’s "stand appropriated" funding and whether a constitutional change would be required to subject the STIP to legislative approval. Representative Mayhew and others said the constitutional text on MoDOT’s funding and appropriations would likely need clarification; Representative Cook offered to work with Riggs on language to address that concern.
No committee vote on HJR 46 was recorded in the transcript segment provided. MoDOT officials cautioned the committee about the timing risk for federal reimbursements; Riggs and several members framed the proposal as restoring legislative oversight of long-delayed regional projects.
