SB309 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Transportation Department, highway projects, construction contract plan changes, approval by the Director of Transportation up to certain amounts without approval of Governor under certain conditions, Sec. 23-1-60 am'd.

Summary

SB309 would let the DOT Director approve certain highway project changes and extra work up to $200,000 per contract without Governor approval, and require procedures to implement these changes.

What This Bill Does

The Director can alter plans or the way work is done and determine the need for new or additional work during construction, as long as it stays within the original project boundaries. It allows the Director to enter into supplemental contracts or use force account for extra work when prices can’t be agreed upon, with expenditures not exceeding specified limits. For increases without Governor approval, the bill sets a cap of the greater of $100,000 or 10% of the initial contract, with total increases limited to $200,000, and allows decreases or underruns to be approved without Governor involvement. The Department must develop procedures to implement these changes, and changes are intended to be within feasible and economical completion of the project.

Who It Affects

• Alabama Department of Transportation and its Director, who gain expanded authority to modify plans and approve certain extra work without needing Governor approval (within set limits) and must establish procedures to implement the changes.
• Prime contractors on DOT highway projects and their subcontractors, who may enter into supplemental contracts not subject to competitive bidding or perform extra work on a force account basis when price cannot be agreed upon, within the defined dollar thresholds.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the Director to alter plans or construction details, including grade or alignment, as necessary to complete a highway project, within original project termini unless needed to complete the project feasibly and economically.
• Authorizes the Director to determine the need for new or additional work not contemplated in the original contract, within the project’s termini.
• Permits supplemental contracts with unit prices or lump sums for extra work, not subject to competitive bid laws; if prices can't be agreed, authorizes force account work.
• Allows increased work without Governor approval up to the greater of $100,000 or 10% of the initial contract amount, with aggregate increases not to exceed $200,000; decreases or underruns can be approved without Governor approval.
• Requires the Department of Transportation to develop procedures to implement these provisions, with immediate effect following passage and Governor approval (or as law thereafter).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Highways, Roads, and Bridges