4/29/04-The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee voted 4-3 April 14 to sideline a bill to create an independent commission to operate the state Transportation Department.
HB172, sponsored by Rep. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, sought to create a nine-member commission appointed by the governor. It previously passed the House 93-1.
Ward’s bill called for staggering commission members’ terms in an effort to provide continuity from one governor’s administration to the next. It didn’t require the commission to reflect the state’s racial diversity and didn’t mandate any qualifications for commission members.

3/3/04-A House bill would take control of the state’s Transportation Department away from the governor.
HB172, introduced by Rep. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, would create a state transportation commission. While the governor would appoint the members of the commission, they would have to be from specific districts in the state, and they would appoint the director of transportation, who now directly reports to the governor.
The bill is likely to be debated next week in the House.
For House bill status, call (334) 242-7627. In Alabama, call 1-800-499-3052.