HLS 11RS-1966 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 4
Regular Session, 2011
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 131
BY REPRESENTATIVE HARRISON
TRANSPORTATION: Provides relative to human services transportation
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To create and form a Human Services Coordinated Transit Work Group, led by the2
Department of Transportation and Development, with active support and leadership3
commitment from both public and private stakeholders to improved mobility,4
optimize efficiencies, and manage costs of transit and paratransit services for both5
able-bodied and disabled persons.6
WHEREAS, the need for transportation is necessary for normal daily activities to7
sustain life in modern America no matter where one lives; and8
WHEREAS, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) reports a growing9
population of Americans is expected to rely on transit or paratransit services because by10
2025 over sixty-two million or eighteen percent of the United States population will be over11
the age of sixty-five; and12
WHEREAS, the United States Census Bureau, 2009 American Community Survey,13
estimates there are over thirty-eight million disabled persons in America, representing14
thirteen point five percent of the population, while in Louisiana, almost six hundred thirty-15
four thousand eight hundred fourteen are reported disabled, or fifteen percent of the16
population; and17
WHEREAS, the United States Census Bureau, 2009 American Community Survey,18
estimates there are more than forty-two million persons in the country identified as living19
in poverty and representing about fourteen point three percent of the population, while in20 HLS 11RS-1966 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 131
Page 2 of 4
Louisiana, seven hundred fifty-five thousand four hundred residents are reportedly living in1
poverty, and seventeen point three of the population; and2
WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana must strive to meet federal highway and Federal3
Transit Administration requirements, as set out in 2005 by SAFETEA-LU, the Safe,4
Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act - a Legacy for Users, to provide5
transportation choice, mobility, and access for citizens, and to be administered by the6
Metropolitan Planning Organizations and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and7
Development; and8
WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana must strive to meet other federal guidelines for9
provisions of human services transportation under multiple programs run by eleven federal10
departments and sixty-two federal programs as stated in the GAO Report to Congress in11
June, 2003, and titled the Transportation - Disadvantaged Populations - Some Coordination12
Efforts Among Programs Providing Transportation Services, but Obstacles Persist; and13
WHEREAS, in 2005, the United We Ride Task Force, comprised of state and local14
human services and transportation services stakeholders, created the Louisiana Action Plan15
for Statewide Transportation Coordination that included a framework for data, structure,16
interaction, and resources to optimize service, funding, and resources, and, notably, by17
expanding state authority to mandate coordination efforts among all service providers; and18
WHEREAS, the work of the 2005 United We Ride Task Force was not implemented,19
largely due to the overshadowing effect of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; and20
WHEREAS, the same difficulties and deficiencies exist today including overlaps in21
service areas; lack of tracking mechanism; lack of coordination among state agencies and22
other providers of service; escalating costs; the forecast growth in the population of the23
elderly, disabled, and low-income communities in Louisiana; and lack of overall mobility,24
access, and alternatives to owning or driving individually owned vehicles.25
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby26
authorize and establish the Human Services Coordinated Transit Work Group which shall27
report recommendations for systemic changes.28
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study group created herein shall consist of29
the following members:30 HLS 11RS-1966 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 131
Page 3 of 4
(1)A representative of AARP.1
(2)A representative of the Center for Planning Excellence.2
(3)A representative of the New Orleans Regional Planning Commission.3
(4)A representative of the South Central Planning and Development4
Commission.5
(5)A representative of a Council on Aging.6
(6)A representative of the Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs.7
(7)A representative of the Louisiana Public Health Institute.8
(8)A representative of the ARC.9
(9)A representative of VetTrans.10
(10)A representative of Catholic Charities of New Orleans.11
(11)A representative of PACE - New Orleans.12
(12)A representative from the private sector providers of human services13
transport.14
(13)A representative of the Area Agency on Aging.15
(14)Representatives of the Department of Health and Hospitals, who will16
collectively have one vote and include the office of aging and adult services, office of17
behavioral health, office of citizens with developmental disabilities, and Medicaid.18
(15)A representative of the American Planning Association, Louisiana Chapter.19
(16)A representative of the Louisiana Association of Social Workers.20
(17)A representative of the Greater New Orleans Foundation.21
(18)A representative of the Louisiana Public Transit Association.22
(19)A representative of the Statewide Independent Living Council.23
(20)A representative of the Louisiana Workforce Commission.24
(21)A representative of Louisiana Rehabilitation Services.25
(22)A representative of the Imperial Calcasieu Regional Planning and26
Development Commission.27
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the work group shall convene no later than28
October 1, 2011, to review best practices in other areas in the nation, the 2003 GAO Report,29
the 2005 United We Ride Task Force Report, 2010 census data, and other relevant reports30 HLS 11RS-1966 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 131
Page 4 of 4
and information that help to establish existing conditions, forecast needs, identify gaps,1
control costs, and make existing services more effective and prepared for the future.2
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all departments, boards, agencies, officers, and3
institutions or the state and all subdivisions thereof shall cooperate with the study group in4
providing information to assist in carrying out the mission.5
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study group shall report its findings and6
recommendations to the legislature prior to the convening of the 2012 Regular Session of7
the Legislature of Louisiana.8
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the9
secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development.10
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Harrison HCR No. 131
Creates the Human Services Coordinated Transit Work Group, led by DOTD, with active
support and leadership commitment from both public and private stakeholders to improved
mobility, optimize efficiencies, and manage costs of transit and paratransit services for both
able-bodied and disabled persons.
Requires the group to report its findings and recommendations to the legislature prior to the
convening of the 2012 R.S.