2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

25102572D

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 445

Offered January 13, 2025

Prefiled January 7, 2025

Directing the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study transportation options in rural areas for persons with disabilities and identify ways to expand or enhance transportation services for such persons. Report.

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Patron—Laufer

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Referred to Committee on Rules

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WHEREAS, a lack of transportation options in rural areas for persons with disabilities continues to be a challenge; and

WHEREAS, grant funds could be used to help rural localities expand transportation services for persons with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, regional partnerships have allowed localities to enhance the transportation options for persons with disabilities and could serve as a model for rural localities to increase transportation options; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Disability Commission, as the primary forum in the Commonwealth for identifying and addressing the needs of and issues affecting persons with disabilities, recommends further study of transportation options in rural areas for persons with disabilities; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission be directed to study transportation options in rural areas for persons with disabilities and identify ways to expand or enhance transportation services for such persons.

In conducting its study, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission shall explore ways to fund transportation services for persons with disabilities in rural areas, to incentivize local government transit investments through the use of grant funds and programs, and to enhance transportation services for persons with disabilities through regional or public partnerships.

Technical assistance shall be provided to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission by the Department of Transportation and the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission for this study, upon request.

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2025, and the chairman shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2026 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.