Transportation Equity Act
Bill: H.R.3289 | Sponsor: Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. (D-FL)
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
Transportation Equity Act
This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to reestablish the Transportation Equity Committee. The committee must provide independent advice and recommendations to DOT on transportation equity issues.
The committee must also evaluate the work of DOT in connecting people to economic and related forms of opportunity and carrying out its strategic, research, technological, regulatory, community engagement, and economic policy activities related to transportation and opportunity.
In addition, DOT must appoint a full-time federal employee to serve as coordinator and act as the designated federal officer for the committee.

To re-establish an advisory committee to provide independent advice and 
     recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation regarding 
comprehensive, interdisciplinary issues related to transportation from 
a variety of stakeholders in transportation planning, design, research, 
             policy, and advocacy, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Transportation Equity Act''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish 
an advisory committee, to be known as the Transportation Equity 
Committee (referred to in this Act as the ``Committee''), regarding 
comprehensive and interdisciplinary issues related to transportation 
equity from a variety of stakeholders in transportation planning, 
design, research, policy, and advocacy.
    (b) Purpose of the Advisory Committee.--The Committee established 
under subsection (a) shall provide independent advice and 
recommendations to the Secretary on transportation equity, including 
developing a strategic plan with recommendations to the Secretary on 
national transportation metrics and the effect on such factors as 
economic development, connectivity, and public engagement.
    (c) Duties.--The Committee shall evaluate the Department's work in 
connecting people to economic and related forms of opportunity and 
revitalize communities in carrying out its strategic, research, 
technological, regulatory, community engagement, and economic policy 
activities related to transportation and opportunity. Decisions 
directly affecting implementation of transportation policy remain with 
the Secretary.
    (d) Membership.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall appoint an odd number 
        of members of not less than 9 but not more than 15 members 
        (with a quorum consisting of a majority of members rounded up 
        to the nearest odd number), to include balanced representation 
        from academia, community groups, industry and business, non-
        governmental organizations, State and local governments, 
        federally recognized Tribal Governments, advocacy 
        organizations, and indigenous groups with varying points of 
        view.
            (2) Broad representation.--To the extent practicable, 
        members of the Committee shall reflect a variety of backgrounds 
        and experiences, geographic diversity, including urban, rural, 
        tribal, territories, and underserved and marginalized 
        communities throughout the country, and individuals with 
        expertise in related areas such as housing, health care, and 
        the environment.
            (3) Replacement for non-active members.--The Secretary may 
        remove a non-active member who misses 3 consecutive meetings 
        and appoint a replacement to service for the period of time set 
        forth in subsection (f).
    (e) Meetings.--The Committee shall meet not less than 2 times each 
year with not more than 9 months between meetings at a reasonable time, 
in a place accessible to the public, and in a room large enough to 
accommodate the Committee members, staff, and reasonable number of 
interested members of the public. The room in which the Committee meets 
shall be large enough to accommodate at least 100 and shall be 
compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
12101 et seq.).
    (f) Term.--Each member of the Committee shall serve a 2-year term 
with not more than 2 consecutive term reappointments, but may continue 
service until a replacement is appointed.
    (g) Support.--The Office of the Under Secretary for Policy of the 
Department of the Department of Transportation shall provide necessary 
funding, logistics, and administrative support for the Committee.
    (h) Application of FACA.--The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
U.S.C. app.) shall apply, except section 14, to the Committee 
established under this section.

SEC. 3. DESIGNATED FEDERAL OFFICER.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation shall appoint a 
full-time Federal employee to serve as the coordinator of the Committee 
on Transportation Equity and act as the Designated Federal Officer for 
the Transportation Equity Committee. The designated Federal officer 
shall ensure that administrative support is provided for the Committee.
    (b) Responsibilities.--The Designated Federal Officer shall--
            (1) call meetings of the Committee, and any subcommittees 
        that the Committee designates, after consultation with the 
        Chair;
            (2) formulate and approve an agenda, in consultation with 
        the Chair, for each meeting;
            (3) notify all Committee members of the time, place, and 
        agenda for any meeting;
            (4) provide administrative support for all meetings of the 
        Committee;
            (5) attend each Committee and subcommittee meeting;
            (6) maintain all Advisory Committee on Transportation 
        Equity files and records, including minutes from each meeting;
            (7) adjourn any meeting when it is determined to be in the 
        public interest and chair meetings when directed to do so by 
        the Secretary;
            (8) make available to the public meeting notes and 
        information; and
            (9) publish notice of any meeting of the Committee in the 
        Federal Register at least 15 days before such meeting.
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