[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6342195,"mediaKeyId","2255536-b038b11e51447feb1d5f5b304ffa88e5","parentId",2255536,"title","GDOT details storm response, damage and amended‑FY25 requests; estimates $200 million in storm costs","audioSeconds",970,"startMs",3309000,"endMs",4279000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255536-b038b11e51447feb1d5f5b304ffa88e5&start=3309&end=4279","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255536-b038b11e51447feb1d5f5b304ffa88e5/thumbnail_3309000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6342195/Georgia/GDOT-details-storm-response-damage-and-amendedFY25-requests-estimates-200-million-in-storm-costs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6342195-1c22aaa407a5583c87e1ecb4c4a5d0ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116974&Signature=O1jcR9Ac-GrRIRshPDZkfzK4DowJrDqLa5FiY-ssAxZpshb2mW~7nhplgRdUwAd5GiQ4x2mV3Q4mNdEIjU2S-jm2UrjHMLlAWApwlS77di5CaszYfpL-32nndZLs-2kFOvViDaG8n7Yd2mWWBB~IIYFtriNTVJA-Wnk2NYgZRTnNfz4ol-gj7Jiacuy4V7DoN3lbrWdj774y~Ra67J9l2wosz6IMxbYLmwLOKR5bMhXOrSNoI4ZbncgjgG-AzaeHnNPs9bddYjb8rjsYT-Uem2TTgghEjWlWShSs9niTALQ43rqVO-~zwkNMIOiVUzS3FMkgtkAPzG6N7~mxa2eaOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","GA State Legislature ","date","2025-02-10T00:00:00Z","article","The Georgia Department of Transportation on Monday described extensive storm and winter‑event damage, emergency response efforts and supplemental budget items in the agency’s amended FY25 request, telling the Senate subcommittee the total non‑labor infrastructure and contracting cost related to recent storms is approaching $200 million.

Commissioner’s summary: The agency said it staged staff and equipment ahead of Hurricane Helene, executed large‑scale bridge and road inspections after flooding from Hurricane Debbie and instituted an extensive debris‑removal and infrastructure repair effort after Helene. The presenter said crews inspected roughly 120 bridges after flooding in the Debbie event and that at State Route 169 in Tattnall County a culvert was washed away, a new bridge design was completed within seven days and a contractor began work within 13 days; the contractor completed a replacement bridge within about two months.

Traffic signals, signs and debris: The department reported major impacts to traffic‑signal systems: roughly 719 traffic signals sustained damage ranging from minor to total loss, and some individual cities (Augusta was cited) saw dozens of signals down. The department said it exhausted its traffic‑signal inventory, borrowed parts from local jurisdictions and used contractors and bucket trucks to restore signals. The agency also described heavy sign loss and noted that critical regulatory signs — stops and wrong‑way signs — were among the worst damaged.

Debris and costs: The agency reported an ongoing debris removal tally of approximately 3,700,000 cubic yards and said debris operations could continue into March or April. The commissioner estimated that non‑labor infrastructure and contracting storm costs related to Helene and Debbie are approaching $200,000,000. The agency also reported two winter storms earlier in the season that cost approximately $23,000,000 to clear.

Amended FY25 highlights: The agency outlined key additions the governor recommended and the House considered for the amended FY25 budget, including a roughly $1.032 billion net state general‑fund add and multiple program increases such as $250,000,000 in state funds for local roads (LMIG/local roads administration), $530,000,000 for a freight program and sizable capital construction and maintenance allocations. The presenter emphasized that advancing projects now can avoid higher future construction costs and cited large percentage increases in materials pricing since FY21 (asphalt and other construction inputs) as justification for moving projects forward.

Reimbursement and timing: Senators asked whether FEMA or other federal sources might reimburse storm costs. The commissioner said the state has submitted requests and expects federal reimbursement in many cases but that timing is uncertain; FEMA reimbursements can take from 12–18 months up to two years.

Ending: The department did not record a committee vote in the hearing excerpt. The commissioner thanked committee members for prior appropriations that aided quick deployment and asked for continued support to accelerate project delivery and respond to infrastructure needs created by extreme weather.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","02/10/2025 Appropriations: Transportation Subcommittee","oneSentenceSummary","The Georgia Department of Transportation told the Senate subcommittee it has spent months responding to Hurricane Helene and earlier storms, estimating nearly $200 million in non‑labor infrastructure and contracting costs and requesting supplemental state funding in the amended FY25 budget.","taxTitle","Appropriations, SENATE, Committees, Legislative, Georgia","taxId",17660,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6342190,"SERTA presents GTIB awards, hangar loan proposal and rural match assistance to senators",411,5863000,6274000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255536-b038b11e51447feb1d5f5b304ffa88e5&start=5863&end=6274","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255536-b038b11e51447feb1d5f5b304ffa88e5/thumbnail_5863000.jpg","/articles/6342190/Georgia/SERTA-presents-GTIB-awards-hangar-loan-proposal-and-rural-match-assistance-to-senators","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6342190-dc2fe4c2740d50910c19ac4377f54d7e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116974&Signature=IJ0okaboN-uIoqb5MHov2aLENXvRGNnv1ADnW~rX0NxwY3CmgMLFiQDH7Uk-4sZPWS0A8auYGoHQNabSWtM1Gvii9bocwcfQDKAu5D7GmXIRafaZfvrebGK~Q1esiZ64~WCXrhYuufkI8SSUtkL-eT-OIOu-eH4LKu3nvtYklfqTcFCWtaxXTza8LzxjJxJN~QF1~wlMl~LHqAZmzQp18HOzFvNI2vuKngq~qjMRQifRPmaZHB4zA3HSY2XxwZMJ8WLNi4snh-tRy~8Lmuc8DEEmH1NIwZ8O~592cSjTufO5iAA-hv~KeWYLI-3mfSfB2rfC-S7ynhgfJntGLC0l7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Janine Miller, executive director of the State Road and Tollway Authority and SERTA programs, told the Senate subcommittee that the Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB) remains oversubscribed and that the House’s draft of the amended FY25 budget directs $7.5 million of GTIB‑related funds toward a hangar‑loan program for general‑aviation airports.

GTIB overview: Since GTIB launched in 2010, Miller said the bank has awarded about $216 million to 53 projects and that the program typically funds roughly half the applications it receives. She said applicants in Metro Atlanta are able to provide larger matches (about 72% of project costs) than applicants elsewhere in the state (about 42%), and she cited GTIB as an important tool for rural localities that cannot otherwise match federal or other grant funds.

Hangar loan and airport aid: Miller said the House included a direction that $7.5 million of GTIB‑related funds be used for a hangar loan program and that SERTA staff and GDOT will examine whether current program language requires adjustment to enable hangar loans. The SERTA director said hangars are often not federally eligible and that state funds used first for safety infrastructure can enable later hangar investment.

Rural match assistance: Miller said the SERTA board has a policy to allocate up to $2 million to help small rural applicants meet Transportation Alternatives program local match requirements. She said SERTA will award about $1.7 million this year to help rural communities cover the federal match for pedestrian and other small local projects.

Examples and outcomes: Miller highlighted five projects funded in the prior year, including a grant‑loan combo for Pike County that sped a paving project by six years and a $1.5 million grant to Bullock County for interstate access at an industrial area. She said GTIB applications this year total roughly $64 million while available appropriations are around $15–19 million plus loan repayments.

Ending: Miller said SERTA is coordinating with GDOT and other agencies to ensure state dollars provide leverage for local and rural projects and that staff will continue to evaluate program language to implement hangar financing if the Legislature approves the house recommendation.","Janine Miller, executive director of SERTA and GTIB programs, told the Senate subcommittee that GTIB awards remain oversubscribed and that the House directed $7.5 million toward a proposed hangar‑loan program for general‑aviation airports.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6342200,"Agency appeals to subcommittee to restore funding for three long‑service positions after federal cut",877,2363000,3240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255536-b038b11e51447feb1d5f5b304ffa88e5&start=2363&end=3240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255536-b038b11e51447feb1d5f5b304ffa88e5/thumbnail_2363000.jpg","/articles/6342200/Georgia/Agency-appeals-to-subcommittee-to-restore-funding-for-three-longservice-positions-after-federal-cut","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6342200-d9b78e3d08b3f4cc879a24ffe3015e21/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116974&Signature=SBOJeYk1l~nFMz17wMOZ6aCUW2akLvsvcC90AiIEPsmfyYArNApzOfiY51BUL1AYYoR7~yDnDOwOeJRp3GVUVv1jSW1BhRoZ7czQsptX8NvYpGB67L33fTE7St5x8t4XggStJqykWg90ZgrxULwHPPxE2ZKQxHwAQ6xEfsnwsfjVKDyoX7FN4fmFaeRy7-12aDfLQO99zAW9uY127gL1YCzuXbHlT-CwJ2YbdriwSZ~-7ZUitAo9qoJLDchAxb9nkM-O-JL0Cri71ztbgVmgDxLeRT-SAtpHtx3BdeEp1Ii4kO6i6K2HBa6gAFHaNfGgM~~4sClPMRirj0UEziIUbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A state agency told the Senate subcommittee it needs funding to retain three employees after a federal funding source was eliminated, and it urged restoration of a line‑item the House removed.

The presenter said the governor had recommended funding under line item 272 to cover the three positions and that the agency had relocated five of eight formerly federally funded positions into federal grants but could not find an allowable federal fund source for these three, which have agency‑wide roles. “These 3 employees have been within 8 to 10 year employees with the agency,” an agency official told senators, adding that the roles include an IT position and an office manager who serve the whole agency rather than a single grant program.

Why it matters: The agency said its federal “CP” fund source was eliminated by a change in federal rules and that fund source had previously covered a catch‑all set of administrative positions. The agency said it exhaustively sought alternative federal funding but cannot reassign the three positions consistently with grant rules and therefore asked the state to fund them.

What the agency told senators: The finance director reviewed the current salary and fringe totals for each position and said the governor’s recommendation included the required state match; the presenter said the House removed the appropriation. The finance director noted a difference in the fringe rate used in the house analysis and flagged that the correct current fringe rate is lower than the inflated rate shown in one submission.

Committee discussion and context: Senators asked whether the positions could be shifted into grant funding; the agency described federal matching rules and cited a federal traffic‑safety grant regulator’s (NHTSA) guidance that requires positions to be charged to the grant they support. The agency said it had moved five other positions into federal fund sources where the work aligned with grants but that the three roles at issue have agency‑wide responsibilities and thus do not meet the regulatory criteria for grant charging.

The presenter highlighted the agency’s broader work, saying state contributions help the agency draw down federal funds that in turn support statewide programs. The committee asked the agency to follow up with corrected fringe calculations by email.

Ending: The subcommittee did not record a vote on the request in the segment; the agency asked for help restoring the positions and indicated it would follow up with clarifying cost details.","An agency briefed the Senate subcommittee that three long‑tenured positions (including an IT role and an office manager) were removed from the governor’s recommendation in the House budget after federal CP fund support ended; the agency asked for state appropriation to retain the staff.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6342205,"Georgia DDS asks state to fund identity-verification tech, AI call agent and case management system",870,1208000,2078000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255536-b038b11e51447feb1d5f5b304ffa88e5&start=1208&end=2078","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255536-b038b11e51447feb1d5f5b304ffa88e5/thumbnail_1208000.jpg","/articles/6342205/Georgia/Georgia-DDS-asks-state-to-fund-identity-verification-tech-AI-call-agent-and-case-management-system","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6342205-926a55bd4d46c216a09bd287feed6de7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116974&Signature=LjEHNSQyx~rjAjPJ9PQwiYdeY3EmNjNMYvw8OdyIYxGH2Dx~~qGE9IMrDdMgyIvd0W8faRZqADuhxAojaWmVwsHHv08PDhW2-b-rqmv~mPwtnwQRw7uGtkPvQFZdoovjIh39UdHqDLKGgnPNv5go2ug4G3E2cnfmQFt~y3RvE5PhImg88uwoaNvYvUhCBVKK0fc9HYy3jpdZfy~RjRrBCZ0om94EGZjna1vc9Ls0n3b5DTsmxgKh1984ahTdetgqH5P9STWAXjl~njtixfDuJmfIf54RGjNI~0ZzFj-oa~YDtUoALHLLGncJE1LKCh7TNJ89eg-HbALf8JGbuYQbBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Georgia Department of Driver Services on Monday asked the Senate Subcommittee on Appropriations for Transportation to approve $1,022,000 in one-time state funding to bolster online identity verification, expand an automated voice/chat agent and replace an aging investigations case-management system.

The request comes as the agency reported that 99.91% of Georgia credential holders are Real ID-compliant and said it manages roughly 8.87 million valid driver’s licenses and about 416,000 commercial driver licenses. “We are asking, again, for $250,000” for an address-verification technology, the department’s commissioner said, to guard against fraud in online transactions and to confirm that credential mailings are sent to legitimate addresses.

Why it matters: Department officials told the committee they are seeing more online transactions — including address changes — and want to add layers of authentication to reduce identity theft, identity-based fraud and downstream harms such as fraudulent credit applications. The upgrades also respond to an earlier state audit recommendation to modernize contact-center and customer-service technology.

What the agency told senators: The department described three requests on the committee’s tracking sheet: $250,000 for enhanced address verification and identity-fraud detection; $452,000 for “chatbot phase 3,” a conversational AI voice agent the agency calls “George;” and $320,000 to replace an investigator case-management system that does not support a required transition to a government (gov) cloud environment. The presenter said the three requests total $1,022,000.

On the address-verification item, the commissioner explained the typical fraud scenario: someone with stolen personal information logs into an online account, changes a mailing address and obtains a replacement credential. “What we now have is the ability for if you are doing an online transaction, not only are we getting your information and requiring you to do multi factor authentication, but we have a biometric solution that if you're doing it on a device, it requires you to show us your face,” the commissioner said. He said the agency can compare that face against images on record to verify identity.

On the chatbot, the department said the contact-center technology already answers a large share of incoming customer contacts and that the conversational-AI upgrade would reduce the need for staff to manually record and upload scripted answers. The agency said the existing bot fielded about 2,000,000 conversations in fiscal 2023 and that live contact-center staff answered about 754,437 calls in the same period; the presenter said roughly 62% of bot contacts do not transfer to a human agent.

On the investigations case-management replacement, the department said it operates a small sworn-investigator unit (13 investigators when fully staffed; two vacancies were reported) that uses a case system currently at end of life. The agency said the replacement system would be CJIS-capable and run in an AWS gov-cloud environment so it can better exchange information with local and state prosecutors.

Questions from senators focused on how the chatbot is priced and whether the AI product uses an enterprise license or per-unit charges; the agency described the upgrade as a one-time enterprise enhancement and said there are maintenance costs going forward. A senator also asked whether the chatbot records customer satisfaction; the presenter said the unit currently measures transfers to live agents and that the conversational-AI phase would reduce the need to manually curate scripted answers.

The department did not seek recurring operating funds on these three items and described them as enhancements to systems the agency already uses. No formal vote or committee action was recorded in the transcript excerpt provided.

Ending: The subcommittee did not take a final vote during the hearing segment; staff said they would follow up on any licensing or maintenance-cost detail senators asked for.

","The Georgia Department of Driver Services told the Senate subcommittee it seeks $1.022 million in one-time state funds to expand address-verification and biometric checks, upgrade its chatbot to a conversational AI and replace an investigations case-management system that is at end-of-life.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

GDOT details storm response, damage and amended‑FY25 requests; estimates $200 million in storm costs

SERTA presents GTIB awards, hangar loan proposal and rural match assistance to senators

Agency appeals to subcommittee to restore funding for three long‑service positions after federal cut

Georgia DDS asks state to fund identity-verification tech, AI call agent and case management system