,i #aadth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #djhb ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,november #ai1 #bjae ,mr4 ,webster of ,florida introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure ,a ,,bill ,to coordinate transportation services for transportation-disadvantaged individuals4 #a4 ,short ,title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,coordinating ,transportation ,services for ,transportation ,disadvantaged ,individuals ,act of #bjae4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act1 the following definitions apply3 7#a7 ,transportation-disadvantaged individual ,the term transportation-disadvantaged individual means an individual who requires the use of public transportation1 but has difficulty accessing public transportation due to disability1 income level1 age1 or veteran status4 7#b7 ,appropriate committees of ,congress ,the term appropriate committees of ,congress means the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,environment and ,public ,works of the ,senate4 7#c7 ,council ,the term ,council means the ,new ,interagency ,transportation ,coordinating ,council on ,access and ,mobility established under section #c4 7#d7 ,disability ,the term disability has the meaning given such term in section #c of the ,americans with ,disabilities ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abajb74 7#e7 ,federal agency ,the term ,federal agency has the meaning given the term executive agency in section #aje of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#f7 ,purchasing agency ,the term purchasing agency means a department or agency of a ,state or local government that purchases transportation services for transportation-disadvantaged individuals4 7#g7 ,state ,the term ,state has the meaning given such term in section #aja of title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#h7 ,state ,transport ,coordinating ,commission ,the term ,state ,transport ,coordinating ,commission means a commission established pursuant to section #d4 #c4 ,establishment of ,federal ,interagency ,transportation ,coordinating ,council on ,access and ,mobility 7a7 ,establishment ,there is established in the ,department of ,transportation a council to be known as the ,new ,interagency ,transportation ,coordinating ,council on ,access and ,mobility4 7b7 ,duties of ,council 7#a7 ,in ,general ,the ,council shall coordinate transportation services to transportation-disadvantaged individuals in a manner that is cost effective1 efficient1 and minimizes the fragmentation and duplication of such services4 7#b7 ,duties ,the ,council shall carry out the following activities3 7,a7 ,strategic ,plan ,develop1 and update every #b years1 a written strategic plan that identifies ,federal agency roles and responsibilities and measurable outcomes1 including-- 7i7 the promotion of interagency cooperation and the establishment of appropriate mechanisms to minimize duplication and overlap of ,federal programs and services so that transportation-disadvantaged individuals have access to more transportation services2 7ii7 the alignment of the goals of reducing fragmentation1 overlap1 and duplication of services with benefits1 including increased efficiency2 7iii7 the formulation and implementation of administrative1 policy1 and procedural mechanisms that enhance transportation services at all levels2 and 7iv7 the development and implementation of a method for monitoring progress on achieving the purposes of this ,act1 including the implementation of the functions and requirements of the ,state ,transport ,coordinating ,commissions4 7,b7 ,joint ,cost-,sharing ,policy ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 develop a joint cost-sharing policy among ,federal agencies with representatives on the ,council that provides clear guidance to ,state and local governments regarding the appropriate allocation of costs to each ,federal agency4 7,c7 ,program ,inventory ,maintain an inventory of all ,federal programs that provide transportation services to transportation-disadvantaged individuals4 7,d7 ,partnerships with ,state ,transport ,coordinating ,commissions ,partner with ,state ,transport ,coordinating ,commissions and aid such commissions in coordinating transportation services for transportation-disadvantaged individuals1 including-- 7i7 establishing best practices for the coordination by ,state and local governments of transportation services to transportation-disadvantaged individuals2 7ii7 facilitating access to the most appropriate and cost-effective transportation services using available resources2 7iii7 encouraging enhanced access to the variety of transportation and resources available2 and 7iv7 advising each ,state ,transport ,coordinating ,commission1 upon the request of the ,state1 with regard to the establishment of guidelines and procedures for the coordination of transportation services for transportation-disadvantaged individuals4 7c7 ,membership 7#a7 ,composition ,the ,council shall be composed of each of the following ,federal officials or the designee of such official3 7,a7 ,secretary of ,agriculture4 7,b7 ,secretary of ,education4 7,c7 ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services4 7,d7 ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development4 7,e7 ,secretary of the ,interior4 7,f7 ,secretary of ,labor4 7,g7 ,secretary of ,transportation4 7,h7 ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs4 7,i7 ,attorney ,general of the ,united ,states4 7,j7 ,commissioner of ,social ,security4 7,k7 ,any other ,federal official that the ,chairperson determines to have activities relevant to the duties of the ,council4 7#b7 ,criteria for ,selection of ,designees ,the designee of an official described in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,k7 of paragraph 7#a7 shall be an officer or employee of that official's agency serving in a position with pay equal to or greater than the minimum rate payable for ,,gs-#ae of the ,general ,schedule4 7#c7 ,terms ,each member shall serve for the life of the ,council4 7#d7 ,prohibition on ,compensation of ,members ,members of the ,council may not receive pay1 allowances1 or benefits by reason of their service on the ,council4 7#e7 ,travel ,expenses ,each member of the ,council shall receive travel expenses1 including per diem in lieu of subsistence in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter ,i of chapter #eg of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#f7 ,quorum ,two-thirds of the members of the ,council shall constitute a quorum but a lesser number may hold hearings4 7#g7 ,chairperson ,the ,secretary of ,transportation1 or the ,secretary's designee1 shall serve as the ,chairperson of the ,council4 7#h7 ,meetings ,the first meeting of the ,council shall take place not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 ,thereafter the ,council shall meet quarterly and may also meet at the call of the ,chairperson or a majority of its members4 7#i7 ,termination ,the ,council shall terminate #a year after the expiration of all transportation-disadvantaged programs1 as determined by the ,secretary of ,transportation4 7d7 ,staff of ,council 7#a7 ,in ,general ,the ,chairperson may appoint and fix the pay of personnel as the ,chairperson considers appropriate4 7#b7 ,staff of ,federal ,agencies ,upon request of the ,chairperson1 the head of any ,federal agency may detail on a reimbursable basis1 any of the personnel of that department or agency to the ,council to assist it in carrying out its duties under this ,act4 7e7 ,powers of ,council 7#a7 ,hearings and ,sessions ,the ,council may sit and act at times and places1 take testimony1 and receive evidence as the ,council considers appropriate to carry out the duties of the ,council under this ,act4 7#b7 ,powers of ,members and ,agents ,any member or agent of the ,council may1 if authorized by the ,council1 take any action which the ,council is authorized to take by this ,act4 7#c7 ,obtaining ,official ,data ,the ,council may secure directly from any ,federal agency information necessary to enable it to carry out this ,act4 ,upon request of the ,chairperson of the ,council the head of that department or agency shall furnish the requested information to the ,council4 7#d7 ,contract ,authority ,to the extent or in the amounts provided in advance in appropriation ,acts1 the ,council may contract with and compensate government and private agencies or persons for services related to the duties of the ,council4 7f7 ,report to ,congress 7#a7 ,in ,general ,the ,council shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report containing the information described in paragraph 7#b7 not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter4 7#b7 ,contents of ,report ,the report required by paragraph 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 contain the strategic plan developed under subsection 7b77#b77;,a72 7,b7 identify ,federal1 ,state1 and local laws1 regulations1 and procedures that have proven to be most useful and appropriate in coordinating transportation services for transportation-disadvantaged individuals2 7,c7 identify ,federal1 ,state1 and local laws1 regulations1 and procedures1 if any1 that have impeded the coordination of transportation services to transportation-disadvantaged individuals and recommend changes to such laws1 regulations1 and procedures that would remove impediments and facilitate greater coordination of transportation services to transportation-disadvantaged individuals2 7,d7 describe1 on a ,federal agency and program basis1 steps taken to reduce the duplication of and enhance coordination among transportation services to transportation-disadvantaged individuals and the benefits realized as a result of reduced fragmentation1 overlap1 and duplication of services2 7,e7 describe the progress of each ,state in meeting the requirements of section #d2 and 7,f7 provide any other recommendation that would advance the goal of coordinating and reducing the duplication of transportation services to transportation-disadvantaged individuals4 #d4 ,state ,coordinating ,commissions for ,transportation-,disadvantaged ,individuals 7a7 ,state ,requirements ,a ,state meets the requirements of this section if it establishes a commission described in subsections 7b7 through 7e74 7b7 ,state ,transport ,coordinating ,commission 7#a7 ,in ,general ,the ,state ,transport ,coordinating ,commission shall coordinate transportation for transportation-disadvantaged individuals within the ,state4 7#b7 ,duties ,the ,state ,transport ,coordinating ,commission shall carry out the following activities3 7,a7 ,compile all available information on the transportation operations for and needs of transportation-disadvantaged individuals in the ,state4 7,b7 ,establish statewide objectives for coordinating transportation services for transportation-disadvantaged individuals4 7,c7 ,develop written policies and procedures for the coordination of ,federal1 ,state1 and local government funding for transportation-disadvantaged individuals4 7,d7 ,identify barriers prohibiting the coordination and accessibility of transportation services to transportation-disadvantaged individuals and aggressively pursue the elimination of such barriers4 7,e7 ,establish a clearinghouse for information about services for transportation-disadvantaged individuals1 including training1 funding sources1 innovations1 and coordination efforts4 7,f7 ,assist communities in developing transportation systems designed to serve transportation-disadvantaged individuals4 7,g7 ,verify that the procedures1 guidelines1 and directives issued by purchasing agencies are conducive to the coordination of transportation services for transportation-disadvantaged individuals4 7,h7 ,verify that purchasing agencies purchase all trips within transportation systems that serve transportation-disadvantaged individuals1 unless such agencies use more cost-effective alternative providers that meet comparable quality and standards4 7,i7 ,develop a written strategic plan that addresses the transportation problems and needs of transportation-disadvantaged individuals for the #e-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this ,act4 ,such plan shall be fully coordinated with local government transit plans1 compatible with local government comprehensive plans1 and shall provide that the most cost-effective and efficient methods of providing transportation to transportation-disadvantaged individuals are programmed for development4 7c7 ,report to ,council ,not later than #a year after the date of the establishment of the ,state ,transport ,coordinating ,commission1 such commission shall submit to the ,council a report containing the strategic plan developed under subsection 7b77#b77;,i74 7d7 ,membership 7#a7 ,number and ,appointment ,the ,state ,transport ,coordinating ,commission shall be composed of members appointed by the chief executive of the ,state 7hereafter in this section referred to as the chief executive71 in accordance with ,state law4 7#b7 ,composition 7,a7 ,in ,general ,in appointing members to the ,state ,transport ,coordinating ,commission1 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 racial1 ethnic1 geographical1 and gender diversity of the ,state population4 7,b7 ,residency ,requirement ,each member must be a resident of the ,state in which the ,state ,transport ,coordinating ,commission is established4 7,c7 ,disabled ,members ,not less than #b members shall be individuals who have a disability and who regularly use a transportation system for transportation-disadvantaged individuals4 7,d7 ,senior ,citizen ,member ,not less than #a member shall have attained the age of #fe years before serving on the ,state ,transport ,coordinating ,commission4 7,e7 ,veteran member ,not less than #a member shall be a veteran who regularly uses a transportation system for transportation-disadvantaged individuals4 7,f7 ,purchasing agencies ,the head of a ,state government agency or department that purchases nonemergency medical transportation services shall be a member4 7,g7 ,secretary of ,transportation ,the ,state's ,secretary of ,transportation 7or equivalent official7 shall be a member4 7e7 ,ex ,officio ,advisors ,additional government officials that the chief executive or ,state legislature may designate shall serve as ex officio1 nonvoting advisors to the ,state ,transport ,coordinating ,commission4 7f7 ,organization and ,administration ,the chief executive shall-- 7#a7 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 individuals2 and 7#b7 determine the organization of the ,state ,transport ,coordinating ,commission1 including-- 7,a7 the selection of a chairperson or director2 7,b7 the rate of compensation or per diem2 7,c7 the number of members that constitute a quorum2 7,d7 the development of a budget2 7,e7 staffing2 7,f7 the establishment of subgroups2 and 7,g7 any other policy1 procedure1 or personnel matters that the chief executive determines to be necessary to meet the goals of the ,state ,transport ,coordinating ,commission4 7g7 ,withholding of ,funds for ,noncompliance 7#a7 ,in ,general ,the ,secretary of ,transportation shall withhold #a percent of the amount required to be apportioned to a ,state under each of paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 of section #ajd7;b7 of title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code1 on the first day of each fiscal year beginning after ,september #cj1 #bjaf1 if the ,state does not meet the requirements of this section on such day4 7#b7 ,effect of ,withholding ,funds ,funds withheld from apportionment to a ,state under paragraph 7#a7 shall lapse4 #e4 ,additional ,agency ,requirements 7a7 ,accounting of ,transportation ,services ,each ,federal agency shall keep an accounting of all expenditures directly related to the provision of transportation services for transportation-disadvantaged individuals4 7b7 ,limitation on ,capital ,investments ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 no ,federal agency may make capital investments for the purpose of providing transportation services to transportation-disadvantaged individuals4 #f4 ,termination of ,existing ,council ,the ,interagency ,transportation ,coordinating ,council on ,access and ,mobility established pursuant to ,executive ,order #acccj dated ,february #bd1 #bjjd1 shall terminate upon the enactment of this ,act4 #g4 ,rules of ,construction 7a7 ,construction with ,older ,americans ,act ,nothing in this ,act shall be construed in such a manner to change or otherwise invalidate any requirements of the ,older ,americans ,act of #aife 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjja et seq474 7b7 ,interstate ,transportation ,services ,nothing in this ,act shall be construed in such a manner to prohibit the coordination of transportation services for transportation-disadvantaged individuals across ,state lines4 #h4 ,authorization of ,appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,department of ,transportation for each of the fiscal years #bjaf through #bjba such sums as may be necessary to carry out this ,act4