John Garamendi (D-CA)
Public Inspectors for Safe Infrastructure Act
A Democratic bill with 4 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Public Inspectors for Safe Infrastructure Act," seeks to amend title 23 of the United States Code. It requires that public employees perform construction inspection work for federally funded highway projects. This includes tasks such as construction engineering, contract administration, and quality control. If a state or local agency lacks enough staff, they may use temporary consultant contracts for up to 12 months. Agencies using these temporary contracts must submit annual reports to the Secretary detailing their use. These reports must be made available to the public via the Department's website.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +5
Does this repair or build roads and bridges?
The mandate for public inspection ensures higher quality and safer infrastructure.
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires reports to be published on the Department's website for public access.
- Scored +3
Is this likely to create jobs?
By mandating public employees for inspection, it creates a need for more permanent public sector staffing.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The mandate for public staffing may increase long-term personnel costs for state and local agencies.
- Scored -2
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The mandate limits the discretion of state and local agencies to use private consultants.
- Scored -2
Would business owners be better off under this?
Private engineering and inspection firms may see less revenue due to the mandate for public employees.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Oversight through Public Employees: State transportation departments or local transportation agencies must ensure a public employee performs construction inspection functions for federally funded highway projects, which includes engineering, contract administration, and quality control (Section 2, Subparagraph A and E).
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Public Transparency: The Secretary is required to make reports regarding the use of temporary consultant contracts available to the public through the Department's website (Section 2, Subparagraph D).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Temporary Reliance on Consultants: If a state transportation department or local transportation agency does not have adequate existing or obtainable staff, they may have to obtain services through temporary consultant contracts (Section 2, Subparagraph B).
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Time Constraints on Temporary Staffing: Temporary contracts used to provide construction inspection services cannot exceed a period that ends 12 months after the date the contract is awarded (Section 2, Subparagraph C).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — Increased oversight ensures quality control for public infrastructure projects. Is this likely to create jobs? — By mandating public employees for inspection, it creates a need for more permanent public sector staffing. Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — The emphasis on public employees may favor public sector labor strength. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The mandate for public staffing may increase long-term personnel costs for state and local agencies.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — The mandate for public inspection ensures higher quality and safer infrastructure. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Enhanced oversight can ensure environmental compliance in construction projects.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires reports to be published on the Department's website for public access. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases federal oversight of state/local infrastructure inspection functions. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The mandate limits the discretion of state and local agencies to use private consultants.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would union members be better off under this? — The shift toward public employment typically benefits organized labor and public sector workers. Would business owners be better off under this? — Private engineering and inspection firms may see less revenue due to the mandate for public employees.
- 6/24/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/13/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
- 6/12/2025
- Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E570)
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Julia BrownleyDemocrat · California
Stephen LynchDemocrat · Massachusetts
James McGovernDemocrat · Massachusetts
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan