(a) Not later than October 1, the Department, using the Commission's methodology, submits a proposed estimate of the funds that will be available for programming in the STIP. Not later than November 1, the Commission issues its adopted version of the fund estimate to RTPAs, county transportation commissions, and the Department. Guidelines for preparation of the fund estimate are set out in Section 8112.

(b) Not later than December 1, the Department submits its proposed STIP (PSTIP) to the Commission, to all RTPAs, and to the county transportation commissions. Section 8113 contains the guidelines for preparation of the PSTIP.

(c) Not later than April 1, RTPAs representing urbanized areas of 50,000 or more in population prepare and submit regional transportation improvement programs (RTIPs) for their geographic areas. Rural RTPAs do not submit RTIPs, but may, by April 1, submit comments and suggested revisions concerning programs and projects in their areas. Section 8114 of these guidelines deals with the preparation of RTIPs and rural comments.

(d) By May 15, the Department submits a report which compares the previous year's adopted STIP with the PSTIP, RTIPs, and rural comments. This report and the other STIP-related reporting responsibilities of the Department are dealt with in Section 8115.

(e) Not later than July 1, the Commission, after public hearings and a review of the PSTIP and RTIPs, adopts the official STIP and submits it to the Governor and the Legislature. Section 8116 covers the Commission's procedures for reviewing Department and RTPA recommendations and adopting the STIP.

(f) The RTPAs, county transportation commissions, and the Department may appeal specific transportation projects included or excluded from the adopted STIP in writing by August 1. The Commission must hold a public hearing on these appeals by August 15 and act on the appeals by September 1. Guidelines for the appeals process are included in Section 8117.