Senate transportation panel introduces bills to tie project funding to performance and set debt 'guardrails'

The Senate Interim Committee on Transportation on Jan. 15 introduced three committee legislative concepts intended to increase transparency and fiscal discipline in state transportation decisions. Vice Chair Suzanne Weber moved and the committee voted to introduce LC 268 (Measure What We Drive), LC 271 (Guardrails for Good Governance) and LC 279 (a placeholder to study speed bumps). The motion passed unanimously on a roll call, with Senators Frederick, Pham, Starr, Weber and Chair Chris Gorsek voting yes.

Measure What We Drive (LC 268) would require the Oregon Transportation Commission to develop and maintain a 10‑year capital investment plan and set key performance measures—such as state of good repair, system safety and climate goals—and a scoring methodology for projects in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Proponents, including Brett Morgan, Transportation Policy Director at Climate Solutions, said the bill would score projects against those measures, require publication of scores and outcomes, and use cost‑benefit analysis to make tradeoffs clearer to policymakers and the public.

Proponents told the committee the concept codifies practices used in other states, such as Virginia's Smart Scale program, so that the legislature and the public can see what each dollar is intended to buy and track whether projects meet stated goals. Morgan said the bill is forward‑looking and would not change projects already governed by specific legislative direction.

Guardrails for Good Governance (LC 271), presented by Indi Namcoong, transportation justice coordinator for Verde, would create Oregon's first transportation debt management policy and direct the OTC and ODOT to balance current cash‑flow needs against preserving flexible funding for basics such as bridges, preservation and maintenance. Namcoong said the bill would require the OTC to consider specified factors before authorizing new debt, improve disclosure of risks and alternatives to decision makers and the public, and alter OTC membership to require broader geographic representation and at least one seat occupied by a person who does not always use a car to travel.

Proponents emphasized fiscal tradeoffs. Namcoong told the committee that under current projections, if bonds authorized under existing legislative authority are issued starting in 2028, roughly half of the state’s dedicated bridge program dollars could be consumed by debt service, with those obligations stretching into the 2040s. She and others argued that clearer debt policies and better disclosure would protect flexible funds needed for routine upkeep and safety.

Committee members welcomed the increased transparency but asked for refinements. Sen. Suzanne Weber suggested language adjustments to OTC appointment language to ensure equal representation for the majority and minority. Members also noted they hear from OTC commissioners who lack full context when asked to approve bond sales and expressed interest in ensuring commissioners get the data they need.

Chair Gorsek reminded members that introduction as committee measures does not signal final support; the committee moved to introduce the three LCs to OLIS for public and committee review. No final policy decisions or votes on enactment were taken at the hearing. The measures will be available on OLIS for review as the Legislature considers next steps.

The committee proceeded to an informational session on Oregon passenger rail after introducing the measures.