Sec. 4. State Coordinating Commissions for Transportation-Disadvantaged Individuals
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/bill/114/hr/4082/ih/section-4A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
A State meets the requirements of this section if it establishes a commission described in subsections
(b)through (e). The State Transport Coordinating Commission shall coordinate transportation for transportation-disadvantaged individuals within the State. The State Transport Coordinating Commission shall carry out the following activities: Compile all available information on the transportation operations for and needs of transportation-disadvantaged individuals in the State. Establish statewide objectives for coordinating transportation services for transportation-disadvantaged individuals. Develop written policies and procedures for the coordination of Federal, State, and local government funding for transportation-disadvantaged individuals. Identify barriers prohibiting the coordination and accessibility of transportation services to transportation-disadvantaged individuals and aggressively pursue the elimination of such barriers. Establish a clearinghouse for information about services for transportation-disadvantaged individuals, including training, funding sources, innovations, and coordination efforts. Assist communities in developing transportation systems designed to serve transportation-disadvantaged individuals. Verify that the procedures, guidelines, and directives issued by purchasing agencies are conducive to the coordination of transportation services for transportation-disadvantaged individuals. Verify that purchasing agencies purchase all trips within transportation systems that serve transportation-disadvantaged individuals, unless such agencies use more cost-effective alternative providers that meet comparable quality and standards. Develop a written strategic plan that addresses the transportation problems and needs of transportation-disadvantaged individuals for the 5-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act. Such plan shall be fully coordinated with local government transit plans, compatible with local government comprehensive plans, and shall provide that the most cost-effective and efficient methods of providing transportation to transportation-disadvantaged individuals are programmed for development. Not later than 1 year after the date of the establishment of the State Transport Coordinating Commission, such commission shall submit to the Council a report containing the strategic plan developed under subsection (b)(2)(I). The State Transport Coordinating Commission shall be composed of members appointed by the chief executive of the State (hereafter in this section referred to as the chief executive ), in accordance with State law. In appointing members to the State Transport Coordinating Commission, the chief executive shall ensure that not less than two-thirds of such members have significant experience in the operation of a business and should seek to appoint members who reflect the racial, ethnic, geographical, and gender diversity of the State population. Each member must be a resident of the State in which the State Transport Coordinating Commission is established. Not less than 2 members shall be individuals who have a disability and who regularly use a transportation system for transportation-disadvantaged individuals. Not less than 1 member shall have attained the age of 65 years before serving on the State Transport Coordinating Commission. Not less than 1 member shall be a veteran who regularly uses a transportation system for transportation-disadvantaged individuals. The head of a State government agency or department that purchases nonemergency medical transportation services shall be a member. The State’s Secretary of Transportation (or equivalent official) shall be a member. Additional government officials that the chief executive or State legislature may designate shall serve as ex officio, nonvoting advisors to the State Transport Coordinating Commission. The chief executive shall— issue regulations or bylaws to ensure that no member of the State Transport Coordinating Commission has a financial stake in the provision of services to transportation-disadvantaged individuals; and determine the organization of the State Transport Coordinating Commission, including— the selection of a chairperson or director; the rate of compensation or per diem; the number of members that constitute a quorum; the development of a budget; staffing; the establishment of subgroups; and any other policy, procedure, or personnel matters that the chief executive determines to be necessary to meet the goals of the State Transport Coordinating Commission. The Secretary of Transportation shall withhold 1 percent of the amount required to be apportioned to a State under each of paragraphs
(1)and
(2)of section 104(b) of title 23, United States Code, on the first day of each fiscal year beginning after September 30, 2016, if the State does not meet the requirements of this section on such day. Funds withheld from apportionment to a State under paragraph
(1)shall lapse.