SB141 Bill Summary

• Creates a five-member State Transportation Commission with one member appointed by the Governor from each of the five Department of Transportation regions, with staggered initial terms of 2, 4, or 6 years and subsequent six-year terms with no consecutive service allowed.

• Commission membership must reflect racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity of the state, with annual reporting to the Legislature on diversity compliance.

• Transfers the appointment authority for the Director of the Department of Transportation from the Governor to the State Transportation Commission, with the commission to name a new director within 90 days of any vacancy.

• Prohibits commission members from being employed in roadbuilding or affiliated industries, serving as lobbyists, or benefiting from employment or contracts with companies doing business with the Department for two years after leaving the commission.

• Exempts the Department of Transportation from the Budget Management Act, preventing the Governor or Finance Director from withholding funds or redirecting projects contrary to the commission's five-year plan or annual revenue and expenditure plan.