The bill amends Section 28M.2 of the Iowa Code to modify the requirements for creating a regional transit district. Previously, the law stipulated that a county must have a population exceeding 175,000 to establish a regional transit district in conjunction with participating cities. The new language removes this population threshold, allowing any county, regardless of its population size, to create a regional transit district with participating cities through a chapter 28E agreement.

This change aims to enhance the flexibility and accessibility of public transit options across Iowa by enabling more counties to collaborate with cities in establishing regional transit districts. The bill maintains the provision that cities without an urban transit system can opt out of participation by passing a resolution to the board of supervisors. Overall, the legislation seeks to improve transportation support for passengers by facilitating the creation of public transit systems in areas that may not have previously qualified under the old population criteria.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 28M.2