sb417_As_passed_Senate_3.html
08 LC 34 1424
Senate Bill 417
By: Senators Mullis of the 53rd, Seay of the 34th, Williams of the 19th, Stoner of the 6th and Pearson of the 51st

AS PASSED SENATE

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT


To amend Chapter 2 of Title 32 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Department of Transportation, so as to require the commissioner of transportation to develop and publish benchmarks and issue reports on the progress of construction projects; to require the commissioner to perform value engineering studies; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.
Chapter 2 of Title 32 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the Department of Transportation, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:
"32-2-41.1.
(a) The commissioner shall develop and publish benchmarks, based upon the type and scope of a construction project, that detail a realistic time frame for completion of each stage of a construction project, including preliminary engineering and design, environmental permitting and review, and right of way acquisition.
(b) The commissioner shall submit an annual report to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives detailing the progress of every construction project valued at $10 million or more against the benchmarks. This report shall include an analysis explaining the discrepancies between the benchmarks and actual performance on each project as well as an explanation for delays. This report shall also be published on the website of the department.
(c) The department shall create and maintain on its website a detailed status report on each project under planning or construction. This status report shall include, but not be limited to, the name and contact information of the project manager, if applicable.
(d) Value engineering studies shall be performed on all projects whose costs exceed $10 million, and the commissioner shall submit an annual report to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives detailing the amount saved due to the value engineering studies. This report shall also be published on the website of the department."

SECTION 2.
This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2008.

SECTION 3.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.