Transportation Equity Act
Bill: S.3649 | Sponsor: Sen. Padilla, Alex (D-CA)
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 study, advise DOT about, and develop a strategic plan concerning transportation equity issues.
The committee must also evaluate the work of DOT in
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 establish an advisory committee to provide independent advice and 
     recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation regarding 
comprehensive, interdisciplinary issues relating 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. TRANSPORTATION EQUITY COMMITTEE.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Committee.--The term ``Committee'' means the 
        Transportation Equity Committee established under subsection 
        (b).
            (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Transportation.
    (b) Establishment.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish an advisory 
committee, to be known as the Transportation Equity Committee, to study 
and provide advice on comprehensive and interdisciplinary issues 
relating to transportation equity from a variety of stakeholders in 
transportation planning, design, research, policy, and advocacy.
    (c) Purpose of Committee.--The Committee shall provide independent 
advice and recommendations to the Secretary on transportation equity, 
including by developing a strategic plan that includes recommendations 
to the Secretary on national transportation metrics and the effect of 
transportation equity on such factors as economic development, 
connectivity, accessibility, and public engagement.
    (d) Duties.--The Committee shall evaluate the work of the 
Department of Transportation in--
            (1) connecting people to economic and related forms of 
        opportunity;
            (2) revitalizing communities in carrying out strategic, 
        research, technological, regulatory, community engagement, and 
        economic policy activities relating to transportation and 
        opportunity; and
            (3) ensuring equal access to transportation for all 
        residents, including those with disabilities and older adults.
    (e) Membership.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall appoint an odd number 
        of not less than 9 but not more than 15 members to the 
        Committee, which shall include balanced representation with 
        varying points of view from academia, community groups, 
        industry and business, nongovernmental organizations, State and 
        local governments, federally recognized Indian Tribes, advocacy 
        organizations, and indigenous groups.
            (2) Broad representation.--To the extent practicable, 
        members of the Committee shall reflect--
                    (A) a variety of backgrounds and experiences;
                    (B) geographic diversity, including urban, rural, 
                Tribal, territorial, and underserved and marginalized 
                communities throughout the United States; and
                    (C) individuals with expertise in related areas 
                such as housing, health care, disability access, and 
                the environment.
            (3) Replacement for inactive members.--If a member misses 3 
        consecutive meetings, the Secretary may--
                    (A) remove the member; and
                    (B) appoint a replacement to serve for the 
                remainder of the term as provided under subsection (i).
    (f) Designated Federal Officer.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall appoint a full-time 
        Federal employee as the Designated Federal Officer for the 
        Committee, who shall--
                    (A) serve as the coordinator of the Committee; and
                    (B) ensure that administrative support is provided 
                for the Committee, including by carrying out the 
                responsibilities described in paragraph (2).
            (2) Responsibilities.--The Designated Federal Officer 
        shall--
                    (A) call meetings of the Committee, and any 
                subcommittees that the Committee designates, after 
                consultation with the Chair;
                    (B) formulate and approve an agenda, in 
                consultation with the Chair, for each meeting;
                    (C) notify all Committee members of the time, 
                place, and agenda for any meeting;
                    (D) provide administrative support for all meetings 
                of the Committee;
                    (E) attend each Committee and subcommittee meeting;
                    (F) maintain all Committee files and records, 
                including minutes from each meeting;
                    (G) adjourn any meeting when it is determined to be 
                in the public interest;
                    (H) serve as the chair at a meeting, if directed to 
                do so by the Secretary;
                    (I) make available to the public meeting notes and 
                information; and
                    (J) publish in the Federal Register notice of any 
                meeting of the Committee not less than 15 days before 
                the meeting.
    (g) Meetings.--
            (1) In general.--The Committee shall meet not less than 2 
        times each year, with not more than 9 months between meetings.
            (2) Time and place.--Meetings of the Committee shall be--
                    (A) at a reasonable time;
                    (B) in a place accessible to the public;
                    (C) in a room--
                            (i) large enough to accommodate at least 
                        100 people, including the Committee members, 
                        staff, and a reasonable number of interested 
                        members of the public; and
                            (ii) that is in compliance with the 
                        Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 
                        U.S.C. 12101 et seq.); and
                    (D) in compliance with section 504 of the 
                Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794).
    (h) Quorum.--A quorum shall be a majority of the members of the 
Committee, rounded up to the nearest odd number.
    (i) Term.--
            (1) In general.--Each member of the Committee shall serve a 
        2-year term with not more than 2 consecutive term 
        reappointments.
            (2) Delayed replacements.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a 
        member may continue service until a replacement member is 
        appointed.
    (j) Support.--The Office of the Under Secretary for Policy of the 
Department of Transportation shall provide necessary funding, 
logistics, and administrative support for the Committee.
    (k) Application of FACA.--Section 14 of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Committee.
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