Senate Bill 1308, also known as House Bill 1320, amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated related to transportation. Key changes include the revision of the evaluation process for proposals submitted to the selection committee, where the term "independently" is removed and "averaged" is replaced with "compiled." The scoring process is clarified, requiring that scores be tallied and compiled according to the established procedure in the Request for Proposals (RFP). Additionally, the bill modifies the language regarding the submission of proposals to the commissioner, allowing for the rejection of all proposals and the option to proceed with construction through lawful methods.

The bill also grants the commissioner expanded authority in the event of a transportation system failure or emergency, allowing for expedited contract processes without the usual bidding requirements. It eliminates the need to identify certain contracts in the annual transportation improvement program and provides for immediate notification to key legislative and financial oversight committees when contracts are entered into under these emergency provisions. The effective dates for the various sections of the bill are staggered, with some provisions taking effect on July 1, 2025, and others on July 1, 2029.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 54-1-504(b)(3)(D), 54-1-504, 54-1-504(b)(3)(E), 54-1-504(b)(3)(F)(iii), 54-1-504(b)(3)(F)(i), 54-1-506, 54-1-135(a), 54-1-135