The bill amends Section 39-18-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 39-18, which pertains to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA). The amendment changes the composition of the RIPTA board by increasing the number of members from eight to nine. The director of the department of transportation or their designee will serve as an ex officio member, and the remaining eight members will be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. The amendment specifies that at least one of the eight appointed members must be a regular user of fixed-route RIPTA transportation and at least one must be a person with a disability. The governor is directed to consider recommendations for board nominations from various organizations, including the newly added Amalgamated Transit Union.

Further changes include the director of the department of transportation serving as the chairperson of the authority, an increase in the quorum from four to five members, and the stipulation that members shall receive no compensation but will be reimbursed for expenses. The bill also outlines conditions for member removal, training requirements, and conflict of interest prohibitions. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2023.

Statutes affected:
991  SUB A as amended: 39-18-2
991  SUB A: 39-18-2
991: 31-36-20, 36-8-1, 39-18.1-5, 42-11-10