Cramer, Kelly Introduce Bill to Cut Red Tape for State DOTs

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Under current law, state departments of transportation (DOTs) submit a Transportation Asset Management Plan (TAMP) every four years to the Federal Highway Administration. State TAMPs are planning and budget documents, intended to ensure effective management and long-term functionality of infrastructure like roads, bridges, and the National Highway System. In addition to the TAMPs, State DOTs are required to file separate annual reports with information about the implementation of their TAMPs. These reports reiterate the state's transportation planning from the TAMP, but require extensive labor hours and tedious review to compile and submit to federal authorities.

U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introduced the Transportation Asset Management Simplification Act (TAMSA) to streamline reporting requirements by eliminating the annual submissions and incorporating them into the TAMPs every four years. The bill also provides states additional time to remedy any deficiencies, to match the 90-day TAMP deficiency cure period, and allows the Secretary of Transportation to extend this period upon the request of a state.

"Our bill reduces red tape, easing the burden on state DOTs so they can spend more time actually maintaining roads and bridges instead of filing unnecessary reports," said Cramer. "It's a commonsense, responsible way to get rid of bureaucracy while ensuring states remain responsible stewards of their infrastructure."

"States shouldn't have to waste time on redundant federal paperwork when they could be focused on maintaining safe and reliable roads and bridges," said Kelly. "Streamlining these requirements means more time and resources go directly into improving infrastructure that communities depend on every day, while ensuring appropriate oversight."

"Thank you, Senator Cramer, for working to reduce federal red tape for State DOTs," said Ron Henke, Director of the North Dakota Department of Transportation. "This proposed common sense change to the Asset Management reporting requirements should save NDDOT numerous hours of work every four years, without decreasing the end benefits to the citizens of North Dakota."

"The nation's state departments of transportation are uniquely equipped to plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain a robust program of transportation investments," said Jim Tymon, Executive Director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. "We very much appreciate Senator Cramer and Kelly's efforts to streamline and modernize reporting requirements associated with transportation asset management plans. By removing this federal program burden, the bill will enable state DOTs to place even greater focus on ensuring state of good repair and reducing lifecycle costs."

Click here for bill text.