The bill, identified as Substitute Senate Bill No. 281 with File No. 212, proposes changes to the public notice requirements for fare and service changes to public transportation in Connecticut. The Department of Transportation (DOT) is required to provide notice of proposed fare changes for mass transportation by land at least fifteen days prior to a public hearing. The notice must be advertised in newspapers with general circulation in affected areas and must include information on the time and place of the public hearing. The bill also mandates that the DOT send a copy of such notice to the chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation and finance, as well as to the Connecticut Public Transportation Council, established under section 13b-212b.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that when the DOT is required to hold a public hearing regarding a proposed major service change to commuter rail service in accordance with Federal Transit Administration Title VI Circular 4702.1B, the department must provide notice of the hearing to the same legislative committee leaders and the Connecticut Public Transportation Council at least fifteen days before the hearing. The bill is set to be effective from July 1, 2024, and amends section 13b-38h of the general statutes. The fiscal impact statement indicates that there is no state or municipal impact as the requirements can be met with existing resources. The bill has received a Joint Favorable Substitute recommendation from the Transportation Committee.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
TRA Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 212: