SB 825

Under current law, the Department of Transportation may recommend highway projects for inclusion in the major highway projects program by submitting a report to the Transportation Projects Commission (TPC) that includes a request for TPC approval to proceed with the project. Under current law, TPC must have been notified that a final environmental impact statement or environmental assessment for the project has been approved by the federal highway administration before it may approve a project under this procedure. This bill changes this requirement to require only that a draft environmental impact statement, environmental assessment, or categorical exclusion have been approved. In addition, the bill specifies that approval of the draft environmental document must be made by DOT unless approval by the federal highway administration is necessary to secure federal funding.

Also under current law, DOT may not begin construction of certain major highway projects with a total cost of more than $75,000,000 until a report is provided to TPC. This report may not be submitted by DOT until a draft environmental impact statement or environmental assessment is completed. Under this bill, the report may also be submitted after completion of a draft categorical exclusion.