In many states, DOTs can draft, introduce or request transportation-related legislation. DOTs in California, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington and the District of Columbia can introduce legislation either through the office of the governor or other lead executive or at that executive's discretion, or by a direct request to a legislator or legislative committee (see State Profiles). Hawaii, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Vermont and West Virginia report their DOTs can draft or present bills for legislative consideration.
In Wyoming, the process of drafting transportation-related legislation is collaborative. The DOT executive team generally is given a full day to present its concerns and issues at each of the three meetings of the Joint Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Committee during the interim between legislative sessions. Between those meetings, legislative attorneys work directly with the DOT to draft legislation for the committee to consider. Typically DOT personnel can comment and suggest revisions to legislative drafts before the drafts are presented to the committee. The DOT also is given the opportunity to suggest topics for the committee to consider and study during the interim.