[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2167 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2167
To re-establish an advisory committee to provide independent advice and
recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation regarding
comprehensive, interdisciplinary issues related to transportation from
a variety of stakeholders in transportation planning, design, research,
policy, and advocacy, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 14, 2025
Ms. Wilson of Florida (for herself, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Carson,
Ms. Tlaib, and Mrs. McIver) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To re-establish an advisory committee to provide independent advice and
recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation regarding
comprehensive, interdisciplinary issues related to transportation from
a variety of stakeholders in transportation planning, design, research,
policy, and advocacy, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Transportation Equity Act''.
SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF TRANSPORTATION EQUITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
(a) Establishment.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish
an advisory committee, to be known as the Transportation Equity
Committee (referred to in this Act as the ``Committee''), regarding
comprehensive and interdisciplinary issues related to transportation
equity from a variety of stakeholders in transportation planning,
design, research, policy, and advocacy.
(b) Purpose of the Advisory Committee.--The Committee established
under subsection (a) shall provide independent advice and
recommendations to the Secretary on transportation equity, including
developing a strategic plan with recommendations to the Secretary on
national transportation metrics and the effect on such factors as
economic development, connectivity, and public engagement.
(c) Duties.--The Committee shall evaluate the Department's work in
connecting people to economic and related forms of opportunity and
revitalize communities in carrying out its strategic, research,
technological, regulatory, community engagement, and economic policy
activities related to transportation and opportunity. Decisions
directly affecting implementation of transportation policy remain with
the Secretary.
(d) Membership.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall appoint an odd number
of members of not less than 9 but not more than 15 members
(with a quorum consisting of a majority of members rounded up
to the nearest odd number), to include balanced representation
from academia, community groups, industry and business, non-
governmental organizations, State and local governments,
federally recognized Tribal Governments, advocacy
organizations, and indigenous groups with varying points of
view.
(2) Broad representation.--To the extent practicable,
members of the Committee shall reflect a variety of backgrounds
and experiences, geographic diversity, including urban, rural,
tribal, territories, and underserved and marginalized
communities throughout the country, and individuals with
expertise in related areas such as housing, health care, and
the environment.
(3) Replacement for non-active members.--The Secretary may
remove a non-active member who misses 3 consecutive meetings
and appoint a replacement to service for the period of time set
forth in subsection (f).
(e) Meetings.--The Committee shall meet not less than 2 times each
year with not more than 9 months between meetings at a reasonable time,
in a place accessible to the public, and in a room large enough to
accommodate the Committee members, staff, and a reasonable number of
interested members of the public. The room in which the Committee meets
shall be large enough to accommodate at least 100 and shall be
compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
12101 et seq.).
(f) Term.--Each member of the Committee shall serve a 2-year term
with not more than 2 consecutive term reappointments, but may continue
service until a replacement is appointed.
(g) Support.--The Office of the Under Secretary for Policy of the
Department of Transportation shall provide necessary funding,
logistics, and administrative support for the Committee.
(h) Application of FACA.--The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5
U.S.C. app.) shall apply, except section 14, to the Committee
established under this section.
SEC. 3. DESIGNATED FEDERAL OFFICER.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Transportation shall appoint a
full-time Federal employee to serve as the coordinator of the Committee
on Transportation Equity and act as the Designated Federal Officer for
the Transportation Equity Committee. The designated Federal officer
shall ensure that administrative support is provided for the Committee.
(b) Responsibilities.--The Designated Federal Officer shall--
(1) call meetings of the Committee, and any subcommittees
that the Committee designates, after consultation with the
Chair;
(2) formulate and approve an agenda, in consultation with
the Chair, for each meeting;
(3) notify all Committee members of the time, place, and
agenda for any meeting;
(4) provide administrative support for all meetings of the
Committee;
(5) attend each Committee and subcommittee meeting;
(6) maintain all Advisory Committee on Transportation
Equity files and records, including minutes from each meeting;
(7) adjourn any meeting when it is determined to be in the
public interest and chair meetings when directed to do so by
the Secretary;
(8) make available to the public meeting notes and
information; and
(9) publish notice of any meeting of the Committee in the
Federal Register at least 15 days before such meeting.
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