House Bill 198 Summary

• Department of Transportation shall submit annual reports on Emergency Reserve expenditures (instead of biennial evaluations) by February 1, 2025, and annually thereafter listing projects funded, amounts used, and project status.

• Establishes a Progressive Design-Build pilot program allowing DOT to award contracts for up to five transportation projects under $500 million using qualifications-based selection and two-phase contracting.

• Increases construction manager-general contractor pilot program from five to ten projects with project cost cap raised from $500 million to $750 million.

• Modifies tax revenue transfers to Highway Fund from quarterly to monthly basis, with increased percentages (1.5% to Highway Fund and 4.5% to Highway Trust Fund beginning FY 2024-25).

• Repeals drone activity reporting requirements, exempts certain DOT facilities from public building code requirements, allows DOT to specify construction material brands for compatibility, and authorizes electronic owner verification methods for unpaid toll collection.