Coordinating Transportation Services for Transportation Disadvantaged Individuals Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4082
Sponsor: Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-10]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Aging
Disability and paralysis
Government information and archives
Public transit
Roads and highways
State and local government operations
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 

Coordinating Transportation Services for Transportation Disadvantaged Individuals Act of 2015

 
This bill establishes in the Department of Transportation (DOT) the New Interagency Transportation Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility to coordinate transportation services to transportation-disadvantaged individuals (those who require the use of public transportation but have difficulty accessing it due to disability, income level, age, or veteran status) in a manner that is cost effective and efficient and that minimizes the fragmentation and duplication of such services.
 
The Council shall: 
 
 
develop a strategic plan that identifies federal agency roles and responsibilities and measurable outcomes in coordinating such services; 
 
develop a joint cost-sharing policy among federal agencies with representatives on the Council that provides clear guidance to state and local governments regarding cost allocation; 
 
maintain an inventory of all federal programs that provide such services; and 
 
partner with State Transport Coordinating Commissions (STCCs) and aid them in coordinating such services. 

 
A state must establish an STCC to coordinate transportation for transportation-disadvantaged individuals. An STCC shall:
 
 
compile information on transportation operations for and needs of such individuals; 
 
establish statewide objectives for coordinating transportation services for such individuals; 
 
develop written policies and procedures for the coordination of government funding for such individuals; 
 
identify and pursue the elimination of barriers to transportation services; 
 
establish an information clearinghouse; 
 
assist communities in developing transportation systems designed to serve such individuals; 
 
verify that purchasing procedures aid the coordination of such services; 
 
verify that purchasing agencies purchase all trips within transportation systems that serve such individuals, unless they use more cost-effective alternative providers; and 
 
develop a strategic plan that addresses the transportation problems and needs of such individuals over a five-year period. 

 
DOT must withhold 1% of the amount required to be apportioned to a state under specified federal-aid highway programs on the first day of each fiscal year beginning with FY2017 if the state does not meet this bill's requirements. 
 
Each federal agency shall keep an accounting of expenditures directly related to services for transportation-disadvantaged individuals. No federal agency may make capital investments for the purpose of providing the services.
 
The bill terminates the Interagency Transportation Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in House