Senate panel advances GDOT update bill, delays EV‑charger measurement deadline
March 25, 2026 | 2026 Legislature Georgia, Georgia
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The Georgia Senate Transportation Committee voted unanimously to pass House Bill 1277 as amended, a departmental update that raises several procurement and environmental-review thresholds and consolidates transportation reporting.
Representative Barton presented the bill, saying it updates outdated dollar thresholds, streamlines reporting and gives the Georgia Department of Transportation flexibility in project delivery. The bill raises the environmental-review trigger for road and airport projects from $100,000,000 to $200,000,000, increases the negotiated‑sale threshold for surplus GDOT property from $75,000 to $150,000 and permits CPI adjustments to avoid repeated statutory updates.
Senator Gooch offered amendment AM390525 to delay an upcoming compliance deadline tied to inspection and calibration of electric-vehicle charging stations, saying the measurement equipment necessary for verifying public chargers’ output “has not been very forthcoming” and the technology remains under development. The committee agreed to a one‑year extension in the working amendment (the language discussed moves the implementation date into 2028), with members noting additional appropriations may be needed for equipment and implementation.
Committee members also asked for context about the surplus‑property threshold change; a staff member said the last update was in 2015 and that the higher threshold aims to reduce costs associated with marketing low‑value, uneconomic remnants of property.
After discussion the committee adopted the EV‑charger extension amendment and then passed the bill as amended. The committee chair said staff will work to schedule the bill for the Senate floor.
The committee did not record a roll‑call tally in the transcript; the motion and amendment were adopted unanimously according to the hearing record. Next steps are floor scheduling and any required appropriations for equipment if the EV‑charger extension leads to additional implementation costs.
Representative Barton presented the bill, saying it updates outdated dollar thresholds, streamlines reporting and gives the Georgia Department of Transportation flexibility in project delivery. The bill raises the environmental-review trigger for road and airport projects from $100,000,000 to $200,000,000, increases the negotiated‑sale threshold for surplus GDOT property from $75,000 to $150,000 and permits CPI adjustments to avoid repeated statutory updates.
Senator Gooch offered amendment AM390525 to delay an upcoming compliance deadline tied to inspection and calibration of electric-vehicle charging stations, saying the measurement equipment necessary for verifying public chargers’ output “has not been very forthcoming” and the technology remains under development. The committee agreed to a one‑year extension in the working amendment (the language discussed moves the implementation date into 2028), with members noting additional appropriations may be needed for equipment and implementation.
Committee members also asked for context about the surplus‑property threshold change; a staff member said the last update was in 2015 and that the higher threshold aims to reduce costs associated with marketing low‑value, uneconomic remnants of property.
After discussion the committee adopted the EV‑charger extension amendment and then passed the bill as amended. The committee chair said staff will work to schedule the bill for the Senate floor.
The committee did not record a roll‑call tally in the transcript; the motion and amendment were adopted unanimously according to the hearing record. Next steps are floor scheduling and any required appropriations for equipment if the EV‑charger extension leads to additional implementation costs.
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