The bill amends section 306.04 of the Revised Code to empower a board of county commissioners to award a franchise for the operation of a public transit system on its own behalf. This change allows the board to issue franchises to applicants, which grants them the exclusive right to establish and operate a public transit system, subject to certification and specific performance targets set by the board. The bill outlines the responsibilities and rights of both the board and the franchisee, including the requirement for the franchisee to coordinate services with other public transit providers and the board's authority to terminate the franchise if there is a material breach.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for the terms and conditions of the franchise, ensuring that the franchisee continues operations throughout the franchise term and has the necessary resources available in case of termination. The existing section 306.04 of the Revised Code is repealed, and new definitions related to the franchise process, such as "applicant," "franchise," and "franchisee," are introduced to clarify the roles and responsibilities involved in the operation of public transit systems.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 306.04