A senate committee is first to consider the Transforming Transportation Investment Act… 

The bill would create a new authority… appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and house speaker, to oversee the transportation budget… though the current DOT board would still exist but would have very little power.

The bill would also transfer control of gas tax funds from the DOT board to the legislature.  The first legislative test for a bill that would strip the state transportation board of most of its power could come today.  Senator Jeff Mullis, a Republican that represents Chattooga, Walker, Dade and part of Catoosa County, is supporting the bill and is frustrated with the current Department of Transportation. Currently, the bill would put state transportation firmly in the hands of Republicans with all of the appointees being put in place by the Governor, Lt. Governor and Speaker of the House.