Ed. Note: The following is a news release courtesy of the office of Senator Sharon Runner.

Senator Sharon Runner, R-Antelope Valley, announced that her legislation to reform and increase the independence of the California Transportation Commission passed out of the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Development Committee, she said Wednesday.

Introduced in the First Extraordinary Session on Transportation and Infrastructure Development, Senate Bill X1-12 establishes the California Transportation Commission as an independent oversight agency to provide guidance and accountability for the Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

Under current law, the California Transportation Commission is part of Caltrans, limiting its ability to effectively review and oversee projects. By moving the California Transportation Commission from under the purview of Caltrans, SB X1-12 will ensure Caltrans is actually putting resources into priority projects and achieving its efficiency goals.

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“Before increasing taxes and fees to generate new revenues for our transportation infrastructure, existing funds should be spent efficiently,” said Runner. “Improving accountability at Caltrans will provide much needed transparency for future projects.”

SB X1-12 passed with unanimous, bipartisan support and now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Sharon Runner represents the Antelope Valley, Victor Valley and portions of the Santa Clarita Valley in the state Senate.