Senate Passes Modernization Bill

SCFOR applauds the Senate’s passage this week of SCDOT modernization legislation (S.831), sponsored by Senator Larry Grooms (R-Berkeley). The bill delivers comprehensive, forward-looking policy reforms that modernize how South Carolina delivers transportation projects. It strengthens accountability, coordination, and transparency while providing new tools to deliver projects more effectively and efficiently.

Agency Accountability

Increased transparency and accountability for SCDOT through audits and defining roles of the Secretary, Deputy Secretaries, and Commission.

Oversight & Coordinated Planning

Requires unified planning and oversight for transportation via coordination with existing transportation-related agencies, establishes continuity with the infrastructure Bank, and clarifies roles/responsibilities of County Transportation Committees (CTCs).

Tools to Deliver Projects Faster

• Allows the state to assume federal environmental processes (NEPA) which could reduce timelines by months or even years.
• Authorizes Public-Private Partnerships as a financing tool for major projects and updates tolling statutes to allow for new choice lanes, while keeping existing lanes free.
• Provides for procurement exemptions and new project delivery methods (phased design-build and CM/GC)
• Establishes a timeline for municipal consent for projects to avoid delays.

Improving the System

• Allows for the voluntary road transfer of state roads to local governments.
• Includes provisions to avoid unintended penalties for counties that use local funding to invest in the state system
• Creates a Pothole mitigation program aimed at timely, more permanent repairs.

Thank you to members of the Senate for your overwhelming support of this legislation. 

In order to maintain momentum toward improving conditions, mobility, and accessibility statewide, policies governing transportation infrastructure must remain reliable and relevant. This bill is certainly a step in the right direction, and we look forward to the bill moving to the House for consideration.