Across jurisdictions, state legislatures have enacted provisions-beyond expenditure limits in budget and appropriations acts-that are intended to control DOT costs. NCSL-AASHTO survey respondents identified low bid requirements and other guidelines in state procurement codes or other statutes as the most common legislative controls on DOT costs.
Some legislatures also have taken further action. In Ohio, the legislative Controlling Board must approve waivers of competitive selection when the agency's non-competitively bid purchases or leases exceed certain amounts; the Controlling Board also must approve any requested increase in appropriation. Virginia's 2009 Appropriation Act directed downsizing the agency to no more than 7,500 employees and use of private contracts for at least 70 percent of annual expenditures. Nevada statute limits the use of highway fund revenues for administrative costs. In Vermont, the DOT must prepare reports detailing bids versus cost estimates for distribution to a legislative oversight committee.68 These activities permit additional legislative controls and oversight over DOT costs.