[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 97 (Monday, June 5, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E518-E519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF THE PUBLIC INSPECTORS FOR SAFE INFRASTRUCTURE ACT

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                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 5, 2023

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I introduced the ``Public Inspectors for 
Safe Infrastructure Act'' (H.R. 3785) with U.S. Representatives Julia 
Brownley (D-CA) and Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX). Our bill builds upon the 
``Safety, Efficiency, and Accountability in Transportation Projects 
Through Public Inspection Act of 2019,'' introduced by former 
Congressman Jose E. Serrano (D-NY).
  The ``Public Inspectors for Safe Infrastructure Act'' would require 
construction inspections for federally funded highways to be conducted 
by public employees. Our bill would allow State or local transportation 
departments lacking sufficient inspectors to contract privately 
employed inspectors temporarily. Our bill ensures public safety by 
requiring that all federally funded bridges, tunnels, and roadways are 
inspected objectively and thoroughly under the highest safety 
standards. This work can and should be done by skilled, qualified 
inspectors employed by state and local departments of transportation.
  From the delays in building the carpool bridge connecting the San 
Diego (405) and Costa Mesa (55) freeways to the series of issues that 
delayed the Bay Bridge, there are numerous examples where outsourcing 
inspection work to private contractors has undermined public safety, 
delayed projects, and contributed to cost overruns. Our bill seeks to 
avoid these potential conflicts of interest, while also mandating 
public disclosure of any private inspection contracts used by state and 
local transportation departments when public inspectors are 
unavailable.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage all Members to join us in cosponsoring the 
``Public Inspectors for Safe Infrastructure Act.'' As a senior 
Democratic member of the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure, I filed this bill as amendments to the House's 2015, 
2020, and 2021 Highway Bills.

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