- House Committee Substitute -

HCS/SB 883 - This act contains accountability provisions for the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission and the Department of Transportation. This act is similar to SCS/HCS/HBs 1681 & 1342.

JOINT COMMITTEE - The act establishes a Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight, composed of 7 Senators, 7 Representatives and 3 ex officio members (Auditor, Director of Oversight, Commissioner of Administration). The Joint Committee shall review the annual report from the Department of Transportation and may make recommendations.

REPORT - The Department of Transportation is required to submit a detailed report by October 15th each year to the Governor and General Assembly. The report shall include the following:

(1) sources and expenditure of all funds;

(2) the criteria used to select construction projects;

(3) the allocation of money and the proposed work plan for the current year and next 4 years (all modes of transportation);

(4) the amounts planned, estimated and expended by project for construction work (any mode);

(5) the status of the 15 Year Highway and Bridge Program;

(6) the reasons for any significant cost increases or decreases in any projects;

(7) any recommendations;

(8) the spending of all funds according to highway district; and

(9) any other information requested by the new joint committee.

DIRECTOR - The Highways and Transportation Commission shall, with the advice and consent of the Senate, appoint a Director of the Department of Transportation (MoDOT). The Director shall serve at the pleasure of the Commission, shall be a citizen and resident of Missouri, and shall have 5 years of management experience. The Director will oversee the other chief officers and manage MoDOT, subject to the direction of the Commission. The Director shall provide a quarterly version of the above report to the Commission.

ENGINEERS - The Chief Engineer shall be responsible for all engineering documents and shall have oversight of the construction and maintenance work for MoDOT. Supervisory engineers in MoDOT shall be registered professional engineers in this state.

MICHAEL HOEFERKAMP