Ex officio members may be appointed to the group as deemed necessary. The number of committee meetings per year for each of the committees shall not 33 exceed the number authorized by the board. The purpose of this legislation that reorganizes and restructures the advisors to the Idaho Transportation Department Division of Public Transportation as required by Section 40-514, idaho code by eliminating the six Regional Public Transportation Advisory Committees and to more clearly define the membership and role of the Public Transportation Advisory Council and the Interagency Working Group. The advisory group requirements in Idaho Code were established as a result of an Interim Committee Report in 1992' The awareness of public transportation has changed dramatically in the intervening eight years. The division now has access to local information through Regional Public Transportation Authorities, Local Transportation Committees and other groups interested in transportation issues that did not exist when the report was written.
Staff currently spends time organizing regional committee meetings and working with committees.
This time could be spent working with local organizations to better coordinate transportation in local areas and to facilitate inter-regional transportation. Language has been added from the 1992 Legislative Interim Committee Report to clarify the role of the Advisory Council. Language has been added to allow non-state agencies to participate in the group. This estimate includes travel and expenses for the committee members, and costs of preparing agendas and minutes.