The powers and duties of the Joint Transportation Committee shall be the following:

(1) It shall review and concur in a long-range (five-year) federal-aid highway plan for proposed highway construction of all highways on the state highway system, which long-range plan shall commence with the fiscal year of the state beginning October 1, 1989. Prior to any deviation from the intent of the five-year plan, the Joint Transportation Committee shall review and concur in the deviation, except commitments for highway projects necessary for new or expanded industry. Commitments for these industry projects shall be included in the next quarterly report by the Department of Transportation. The plan shall be updated annually. The plans in appropriate form shall be made available to all government agencies and all members of the public and news media.

(2) The review and concurrence in annual update of the five-year highway plan shall be accomplished by the Joint Transportation Committee prior to September 1 each year. Failure of the Joint Transportation Committee to concur in the annual update will not prevent the Department of Transportation from proceeding with any project.

(3) It shall review the budget for highway construction, maintenance, operation, and administration of the Department of Transportation on an annual basis, which budget shall be reviewed not later than the fifteenth legislative day of each annual session of the Legislature.

(4) It shall issue a report to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, House of Representatives, Senate, and public within the first 10 legislative days of each annual regular legislative session, comparing actual performance of the Department of Transportation in terms of highway construction, maintenance, and costs of the same, to the original plan for the immediate preceding fiscal year.

(5) It shall recommend to the Governor necessary funding for Department of Transportation budgets to the extent necessary beyond funds already provided by law.

(6) It may retain the services of outside consultants, if necessary, and consult with other groups and individuals, including public interest groups, interested individuals, and appropriate departments of the University of Alabama, Auburn University, and other state institutions.

(7) It may hold public hearings, shall make diligent inquiry and a full examination of the long-range future highway needs of the state, and shall file all reports of its findings and recommendations with both houses of the Legislature and with the Governor.

(8) It may call witnesses and do all things necessary or convenient in connection with and all things incidental to performance of the foregoing duties and powers.

(9) In performing its functions, the Joint Transportation Committee shall take into consideration, in determining plans for highway construction and maintenance, among other factors all of the following:

a. Commuter benefits in the form of direct savings to working men and women traveling to and from their jobs in the state.

b. Industrial and agricultural growth.

c. Transportation safety.

d. Ecological impacts of transportation projects.

e. Recreation and tourism.

f. Traffic density.