House panel approves GDOT modernization bill to raise thresholds and consolidate reporting

Representative Martin presented House Bill 12-77 as the Georgia Department of Transportation's modernization bill, saying the measure updates outdated dollar thresholds, consolidates reporting, and gives GDOT flexibility in project delivery while preserving environmental review.

"This is the agency bill for the depart, Georgia Department of Transportation ... this is a modernization bill," Representative Martin told the committee. GDOT staff explained section‑by‑section changes: raising the project threshold that triggers GEPA documentation (from the prior $100,000,000 equivalent to a new $200,000,000 threshold adjusted for inflation), codifying an annual Accountability Investment Report and embedding previously scattered reporting requirements into that annual document (due January 15), making technical conforming edits, and updating the process for surplus right‑of‑way sales (raising the uneconomic parcel threshold to $150,000 with safeguards including appraisals and public notice).

GDOT's director of engineering, Chris Rudd, told members the department uses both market estimates and licensed appraisals: market comps provide a quicker estimate for low‑value parcels while licensed appraisals (which can take up to 90 days) are used where the value requires it. Rudd also said the department has incorporated many value‑engineering recommendations into standard design practice and that federal requirements on value engineering remain in force even if state language is adjusted.

Members requested clarifications about notification to adjacent property owners, differences between appraised and market values, and the change in reporting cadence. Committee staff and GDOT said the statutory deadlines being removed are consolidated into the new annual report requirement; the committee also approved two technical drafting insertions (missing words) on the floor.

After the technical fixes, the committee voted to pass HB 12-77 on a voice vote.

The bill moves forward in the legislative process; staff said transparency safeguards (appraisals, public notice, preserved environmental permitting) remain in the substitute.