SB21 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

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

SB21 gives Alabama's Director of Transportation broader power to modify highway project plans, decide on extra work, and sign supplemental contracts without Governor approval within defined limits.

What This Bill Does

The Director can change construction details (like grade or alignment) during a highway project if needed to finish the project, as long as changes stay within the original project area. The Director can decide if new or extra work is needed and may sign supplemental contracts or use a force account for that work, with prices set either by agreement or by standard force-account methods. Some extra work can be approved without Governor involvement if increases are within $100,000 or 10% of the initial contract (whichever is greater) and total increases don’t exceed $200,000, and decreases/underruns can also be approved without Governor approval. The Department must create procedures to implement these changes, and the act becomes effective immediately after Governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Alabama Department of Transportation and its Director, who gain authority to alter plans, determine extra work, and approve certain contracts without Governor approval up to specified limits.
• Prime contractors on Alabama highway projects, who may receive extra work through supplemental contracts without competitive bidding if terms are agreed, or work may be performed on a force account basis if no agreement on price is reached.

Key Provisions

• Authority to alter plans or character of work: Director may change construction details, including grade or alignment, during project progress, within the original project termini unless necessary to complete the project feasibly and economically.
• Authority to determine extra work: Director can determine the need for new or additional work not in the original contract, staying within project termini unless needed to satisfactorily complete the project.
• Supplemental agreements or force account: Director can enter into supplemental contracts with estimated quantities and prices, not subject to competitive bidding; if no price agreement, extra work can be done on a force account basis.
• Governor approval thresholds: Additional work may be authorized without Governor approval if the increase is no more than $100,000 or 10% of the initial contract amount (whichever is greater), with aggregate increases not exceeding $200,000; decreases or underruns may be approved without Governor approval.
• Procedures and effective date: DOT must develop procedures to implement these provisions, and the act takes effect immediately after Governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Highways, Roads, and Bridges