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Regular Session, 2011
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 131
BY REPRESENTATIVE HARRISON
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To create and form a Human Services Coordinated Transit Work Group, led by the
Department of Transportation and Development, with active support and leadership
commitment from both public and private stakeholders to improve mobility,
optimize efficiencies, and manage costs of transit and paratransit services for both
able-bodied and disabled persons.
WHEREAS, the need for transportation is necessary for normal daily activities to
sustain life in modern America no matter where one lives; and
WHEREAS, AARP reports a growing population of Americans is expected to rely
on transit or paratransit services because by 2025 over sixty-two million or eighteen percent
of the United States population will be over the age of sixty-five; and
WHEREAS, the United States Census Bureau, 2009 American Community Survey,
estimates there are over thirty-eight million disabled persons in America, representing
thirteen point five percent of the population, while in Louisiana, almost six hundred thirty-
four thousand eight hundred fourteen are reported disabled, or fifteen percent of the
population; and
WHEREAS, the United States Census Bureau, 2009 American Community Survey,
estimates there are more than forty-two million persons in the country identified as living
in poverty and representing about fourteen point three percent of the population, while in
Louisiana, seven hundred fifty-five thousand four hundred residents are reportedly living in
poverty, or seventeen point three percent of the population; and
WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana must strive to meet federal highway and Federal
Transit Administration requirements, as set out in 2005 by SAFETEA-LU, the Safe,
Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act - a Legacy for Users, to provide
transportation choice, mobility, and access for citizens, and to be administered by the ENROLLEDHCR NO. 131
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Metropolitan Planning Organizations and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and
Development; and
WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana must strive to meet other federal guidelines for
provisions of human services transportation under multiple programs run by eleven federal
departments and sixty-two federal programs as stated in the GAO Report to Congress in
June, 2003, and titled the Transportation - Disadvantaged Populations - Some Coordination
Efforts Among Programs Providing Transportation Services, but Obstacles Persist; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, the United We Ride Task Force, comprised of state and local
human services and transportation services stakeholders, created the Louisiana Action Plan
for Statewide Transportation Coordination that included a framework for data, structure,
interaction, and resources to optimize service, funding, and resources, and, notably, by
expanding state authority to mandate coordination efforts among all service providers; and
WHEREAS, the work of the 2005 United We Ride Task Force was not implemented,
largely due to the overshadowing effect of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; and
WHEREAS, the same difficulties and deficiencies exist today including overlaps in
service areas; lack of tracking mechanism; lack of coordination among state agencies and
other providers of service; escalating costs; the forecast growth in the population of the
elderly, disabled, and low-income communities in Louisiana; and lack of overall mobility,
access, and alternatives to owning or driving individually owned vehicles.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
authorize and establish the Human Services Coordinated Transit Work Group which shall
report recommendations for systemic changes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the work group created herein shall consist of
the following members:
(1)A representative of AARP.
(2)A representative of the Center for Planning Excellence.
(3)A representative of the New Orleans Regional Planning Commission.
(4)A representative of the South Central Planning and Development
Commission.
(5)A representative of a Council on Aging.
(6)A representative of the Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs. ENROLLEDHCR NO. 131
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(7)A representative of the Louisiana Public Health Institute.
(8)A representative of the ARC.
(9)A representative of VetTrans.
(10)A representative of Catholic Charities of New Orleans.
(11)A representative of PACE - New Orleans.
(12)A representative from the private sector providers of human services
transport.
(13)A representative of the Area Agency on Aging.
(14)Representatives of the Department of Health and Hospitals, who will
collectively have one vote and include the office of aging and adult services, office of
behavioral health, office of citizens with developmental disabilities, and Medicaid.
(15)A representative of the American Planning Association, Louisiana Chapter.
(16)A representative of the Louisiana Association of Social Workers.
(17)A representative of the Greater New Orleans Foundation.
(18)A representative of the Louisiana Public Transit Association.
(19)A representative of the Statewide Independent Living Council.
(20)A representative of the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
(21)A representative of Louisiana Rehabilitation Services.
(22)A representative of the Imperial Calcasieu Regional Planning and
Development Commission.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the work group shall convene no later than
October 1, 2011, to review best practices in other areas in the nation, the 2003 GAO Report,
the 2005 United We Ride Task Force Report, 2010 census data, and other relevant reports
and information that help to establish existing conditions, forecast needs, identify gaps,
control costs, and make existing services more effective and prepared for the future.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all departments, boards, agencies, officers, and
institutions or the state and all subdivisions thereof shall cooperate with the work group in
providing information to assist in carrying out the mission.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the work group shall report its findings and
recommendations to the legislature prior to the convening of the 2012 Regular Session of
the Legislature of Louisiana. ENROLLEDHCR NO. 131
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE